Meet Lisa: Holistic's Director of Facilitation

We’re excited to introduce Lisa Alvarado, Holistic’s newest Director of Facilitation! Learn more about her background, current role, New Year’s resolutions, and more in this interview!

1. Tell us about your role with your Holistic. What do you do?

I’m the Director of Facilitation-- it’s my job to manage all of our training offerings. I create content and assemble a team of dynamic facilitators and panelists to produce engaging and educational training for our clients. I love people, so I enjoy bringing together a diversity of perspectives to animate the material we cover. DEI work can be hard and overwhelming, it's important for me to create safe spaces for honest conversation and learning.

2. Tell us about your background. How did you end up here?

I have a unique background, having worked in DEI and HR. Academically, I’ve done graduate work on the history behind many of the issues -- specifically race, gender, and systemic injustice -- that we are working on today.

I am a people person and feed off the energy and intellect of those around me. I found my skills in public speaking and passion for and knowledge in the DEI space were well suited to consulting - a combination of teaching and helping folks have difficult conversations on diversity matters. I’ve also worked in HR and Operations at an education start-up, so Holistic is a nice fit.

3. What’s something you are proud of since you joined holistic? Bonus points if they involve a client?

The creation of our Sexual Harassment Prevention training is pretty far outside the realm of our DEI training offerings. Despite the heavy subject matter, I really worked to make the training engaging. It has honestly been our most well-received training, as we continue to get stellar feedback from our client, United Way of Metro Chicago.

While Sexual Harassment Prevention Training is a requirement for all employees, I use the training as an opportunity to encourage organizations to move beyond compliance to build a culture of respect to combat harassment. This definitely relates back to inclusion and the creation of a safe work environment for all.

4. In your mind what does a great employee experience look like?

When employees don’t feel their jobs are merely transactional; show-up, complete work, go home. But instead; feeling seen, heard, valued, respected, and safe. It’s the moments throughout each day when they are acknowledged for their work, lauded for their wins, asked for their input, valued for their expertise, respected for their contributions, and feel safe to bring their whole selves to work.

Mutual respect builds community. When these needs are met, you’re more likely to see your role as an opportunity to engage and contribute to the company culture.

5. Any New Year’s resolutions?

Prioritizing myself. Carving out time to make sure my basic and most important needs are met - sleeping more, eating well, moving my body. I’ve got a poor habit of attending to myself last. Beyond the obvious healthy habits, I’m my most creative and effective when I make time to read or perform other self-care.

6. What do you do for fun?

I love music, both singing, and dancing, everything from Motown to Reggae. I also enjoy cooking and interior design - honestly anything where I can be creative. Lately, this involves being the fashion director of my 3 y.o. daughter’s fashion shows pulled from Mommy’s fabulous closet of-course! Finally, I absolutely love to travel and immerse myself in other cultures, but I’m just daydreaming about the beach for now.

Thank you Lisa for all of your support!