Allison Pokras, MA
Consultant, Coach and Facilitator
For much of my life I’ve been interested in getting to the root of an issue, asking questions that lead to more courageous conversations that drive toward accountability. With 20+ years in non-profit, education and the arts, I partner with organizations to create mindful, meaningful processes that guide transformation and propel growth. I nurture inclusivity and prioritize strong relationships that honor candor to help individuals and organizations navigate change.
With humble beginnings as a high school English teacher, I set my sights on informal educational atmospheres to explore how individuals can activate agency in their own learning. Post graduate school, I stayed in Boston to implement exhibitions for the New Center for Arts and Culture in Boston (now Jewish Arts Collaborative) and the nationally touring Choosing To Participate, a New England-wide initiative developed by Facing History and Ourselves. Both used the arts to engage in hearty conversations about democratic engagement Developing healthy partnerships with government, nonprofit and educational institutions along the way was key to the success of each of these exhibitions.
I returned home home to Philadelphia in 2008 (post-crash and pre-H1N1) to become the executive director of Operation Understanding, a ground-breaking leadership and diversity program for teens who identify as Jewish and/or African American. For six years, I worked with young people who changed my life forever and reaffirmed my belief that neither advanced degrees nor age are required for powerful people to create change. I also became deeply aware of my privilege to ensure the centering of voices not often represented – to nurture and embolden those authentic voices and ensure that those voices have a seat at the table or an opportunity at the mic because their stories make all the difference.
Now, I partner with organizations who welcome innovation through courageous conversations to build vibrant communities. My aim is that our work together inspires creativity, courage and resilience to achieve a brighter, more equitable future.
I believe…
Diversity, equity and inclusion policy and practice is built on complex social dynamics that point to complex core conversations about community and belonging. I support organizations seeking to appreciate the complexity and nuances of a more holistic approach to building inclusive cultures. This lens is embeded into each practice area of organizational and board development, strategic resource development, organizational identity development and writing.
I believe in a vibrant world in which people of all backgrounds and ability create, share and lead equitably, unleashing individual potential and embracing collective responsibility.
