2023 Learning Series on Generative Conflict

Hiba is a daughter, sister, friend and spiritual activist. She immigrated to the United States from Pakistan when she was 7 years old. Hiba believes in the interconnectedness and wholeness of all beings and non-beings and our potential to create, grow, nurture, release and heal. She is drawn to many different healing modalities and their powers to strengthen, soften, and heal bodies and spirits and dismantle systems of oppression. She is the founder of (un)jaan through which she facilitates spaces for us to practice being in liberatory relationships with ourselves and each other. In this season of life, she is finding joy in saying no, resting, and imagining. 

Raven E. Freeborn, LICSW (pronouns: they/themme) is a savvy queer black womxn, full spectrum doula trainer, and healing justice practitioner. Their mission is to build beloved community that reckons with the truth of historical oppressions to actualize liberation centered solutions for all people – particularly people who are Black, brown, queer, and trans identifying. As a student of abolition, transformative justice, and African Indigenous healing practices, Raven seeks to build relationships with communities and individuals beyond the rigid binary of professionalization that is rooted in the assumed authority of white supremacy. In this effort, Raven coaches leaders, designs and facilitates strategic gatherings, and implements tailored programming to scale practices with measuring accountability, implementing justice and equity centered policy, advancing indigenous healing practices, amplifying justice storytelling, and institutionalizing transformative governance for our emerging whole and well world.

Oswaldo Montoya (he/him) has a master’s degree in educational psychology. He has been a trainer, curriculum developer, researcher, and network builder for more than 20 years. He comes from the tradition of Popular Education, which was developed in Latin America as an instrument for consciousness-raising, community mobilization and social justice. Working with different NGOs in Nicaragua and the US, he’s been involved in pro-feminist men’s activism, anti-racism work and advocacy for children’s rights.

Yesenia has an established career as a racial equity facilitator and trainer. Through her work in schools, she has facilitated dialogue groups with parents, students, and staff and has supported groups’ collective action towards equity. She has created and led professional learning opportunities for staff members to create equitable and culturally responsive learning environments for Black and Latino students. In the non-profit sector, Yesenia continues to guide diverse cohorts of community members to critically examine racial and economic inequities and explore actions that inspire personal transformation and leadership to influence change in their communities and organizations.