Programme Facilitators
Our programmes are primarily facilitated by Alison France. However, we will also include additional 'visiting' facilitators on all programmes to add further diversity, experience and insight.
Al Pacifico-France (she/they) MSc, MCIPD, MBPsS
Founder and Director, Courageous Inclusion, evosis Limited
Alison is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) professional with over 20 years experience. She works with an Organisation and Leadership Development approach, grounded in psychology. When working with individuals she encourages people to achieve self-acceptance and lead with their whole selves. In teams, she helps the group appreciate and include each person’s differences and strengths. In organisations, she leads inclusion of diversity and difference, exploring and improving structural disadvantage and power dynamics. In communities, Alison raises awareness of diversity, fights stigma and strives to improve particularly LGBTQ mental health. Alison is also Vice Chair of Trustees (former Chair) of MindOut a mental health service for the LGBTQ communities.
CONSULTANCY, COACHING & PROGRAMME EXPERIENCE
Alison has designed and delivered over 15,000 hours of a wide variety of leadership development, culture change and coaching programmes, all bespoke and connected to the organisations organisational strategy and vision. This includes DE&I programmes with a broad remit as well as others with a focus such as antiracism, LGBTQ inclusion and gender.
Other projects Alison has worked on include; development and facilitation of in-depth DEI programmes for top teams, creation of employee networks, development of internal coaching cardrés, culture change to promote inclusion, role model and ally training, creation/adaptation of behavioural frameworks to include DEI competence, strategy development and group process facilitation to support top teams and steering groups. Alison has also had a significant number of coaching relationships including coaching CEOs to lead D&I transformation and enabling a trans woman to achieve her transformation at work.
Alison is also the creator of Courageous Inclusion© a model to support inclusive conversations, leadership and teamwork.
Alison is invited to speak about her personal and professional experiences including this years d&i Leaders LGBT+ at Work Conference in March.
CLIENTS
Alison has worked with clients in the UK, across Europe and globally, with NGO/charities as well as private sector organisations. Examples of clients include: The Global Fund for Human Rights, Concern Worldwide, Young Lives Vs Cancer, Croydon Council, B&CE, Pensions Policy Institute, FlowGas, WorldFirst, Swift, John Lewis and Royal Holloway University. She has also facilitated development workshops for professional bodies including British Psychological Society, ODN (Organisational Development Network) Europe and NTL (National Training Laboratories) European alumni.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
Alison has a Master’s degree in in occupational psychology and is a Chartered member of the CIPD and a member of ODN Europe. She has completed the National Training Laboratories (NTL) Certificate in Organisation Development and the International Gestalt Organisation Leadership Development programme (iGOLD). Alison is also qualified to use psychometrics including TDI (MBTI), Strengthscope and EIP (emotional intelligence) and is trained in Human Systems Dynamics (HSD) covering complexity in organisations.
She is a white, non-binary person from the North of England. Educated, relatively middle class and though well travelled has lived her whole life in England (now in Brighton on the South coast). She identifies as Buddhist, Pansexual, experiences depression and Is a ‘wobbly walker’ with a spinal cord injury. She intentionally uses both the privileged and disadvantaged aspects of her identity to inform, inspire and promote inclusion. Alison lives in Brighton, U.K. with their Italian wife, Laura (she) and their two cats. Her working language is English, although she has some capability in French and is learning Italian. Alison intentionally uses both the privileged and disadvantaged aspects of their identity to inform, inspire and promote inclusion.
CONSULTANCY, COACHING & PROGRAMME EXPERIENCE
Alison has designed and delivered over 15,000 hours of a wide variety of leadership development, culture change and coaching programmes, all bespoke and connected to the organisations organisational strategy and vision. This includes DE&I programmes with a broad remit as well as others with a focus such as antiracism, LGBTQ inclusion and gender.
Other projects Alison has worked on include; development and facilitation of in-depth DEI programmes for top teams, creation of employee networks, development of internal coaching cardrés, culture change to promote inclusion, role model and ally training, creation/adaptation of behavioural frameworks to include DEI competence, strategy development and group process facilitation to support top teams and steering groups. Alison has also had a significant number of coaching relationships including coaching CEOs to lead D&I transformation and enabling a trans woman to achieve her transformation at work.
Alison is also the creator of Courageous Inclusion© a model to support inclusive conversations, leadership and teamwork.
Alison is invited to speak about her personal and professional experiences including this years d&i Leaders LGBT+ at Work Conference in March.
CLIENTS
Alison has worked with clients in the UK, across Europe and globally, with NGO/charities as well as private sector organisations. Examples of clients include: The Global Fund for Human Rights, Concern Worldwide, Young Lives Vs Cancer, Croydon Council, B&CE, Pensions Policy Institute, FlowGas, WorldFirst, Swift, John Lewis and Royal Holloway University. She has also facilitated development workshops for professional bodies including British Psychological Society, ODN (Organisational Development Network) Europe and NTL (National Training Laboratories) European alumni.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
Alison has a Master’s degree in in occupational psychology and is a Chartered member of the CIPD and a member of ODN Europe. She has completed the National Training Laboratories (NTL) Certificate in Organisation Development and the International Gestalt Organisation Leadership Development programme (iGOLD). Alison is also qualified to use psychometrics including TDI (MBTI), Strengthscope and EIP (emotional intelligence) and is trained in Human Systems Dynamics (HSD) covering complexity in organisations.
She is a white, non-binary person from the North of England. Educated, relatively middle class and though well travelled has lived her whole life in England (now in Brighton on the South coast). She identifies as Buddhist, Pansexual, experiences depression and Is a ‘wobbly walker’ with a spinal cord injury. She intentionally uses both the privileged and disadvantaged aspects of her identity to inform, inspire and promote inclusion. Alison lives in Brighton, U.K. with their Italian wife, Laura (she) and their two cats. Her working language is English, although she has some capability in French and is learning Italian. Alison intentionally uses both the privileged and disadvantaged aspects of their identity to inform, inspire and promote inclusion.
Heather Berthoud (she/her)
CEO Berthoud Consulting
Heather Berthoud has practiced organization effectiveness for more than 30 years. She currently leads Berthoud Consulting, a trusted partner to organizational and community leaders that encourages organizations to experience, understand, and self-direct enterprises that are life-affirming in their means and ends. She combines a passion for social justice with a focused practical results-orientation so leaders and organizations accomplish their goals, learn, and enjoy. Clients and colleagues describe her as insightful, fun, straightforward, challenging, and supportive.
Heather’s commitment to her clients’ success. To work with her is to think anew and to co-create solutions that endure. She listens intently and distills coherence leaders can articulate their full aspirations. As a result, clients get clearer about their current situation and goals. She provides exceptional value by identifying the essence of issues and then providing models and perspectives that clients can apply themselves. She brings lightness and depth to often challenging situations.
Her clients include Advocates for Youth, Amnesty International, Children’s Law Center, the Fund for Global Human Rights, Jobs with Justice, National Employment Law Project, the National Labor Leadership Initiative, Princeton University, and the Sierra Club. In addition to her consulting practice, she taught for the American University Masters in Organization Development.
Prior to her consulting practice, she was responsible for organization development and curriculum design and delivery for the nationwide network of National Abortion Rights Action League (now NARAL Prochoice America). She directed a grassroots mobilization program for Citizen Action. She has led development programs including Leading Nonprofit Organizations for the Gestalt International Study Center, the Practitioners Program with the Center for Human Systems, and numerous workshops on planning, diversity, and leadership.
She has authored several publications on diversity, planning, training and consulting. A recent publication is “Learning to Transfer OD Online: Adaptations of a Technology Late Adopter”, in Organization Development Review (Spring, 2021). She is a member of NTL Institute, Organization Development Network, and the Gestalt International Study Center.
Heather is a life-long learner whose education includes
Heather’s commitment to her clients’ success. To work with her is to think anew and to co-create solutions that endure. She listens intently and distills coherence leaders can articulate their full aspirations. As a result, clients get clearer about their current situation and goals. She provides exceptional value by identifying the essence of issues and then providing models and perspectives that clients can apply themselves. She brings lightness and depth to often challenging situations.
Her clients include Advocates for Youth, Amnesty International, Children’s Law Center, the Fund for Global Human Rights, Jobs with Justice, National Employment Law Project, the National Labor Leadership Initiative, Princeton University, and the Sierra Club. In addition to her consulting practice, she taught for the American University Masters in Organization Development.
Prior to her consulting practice, she was responsible for organization development and curriculum design and delivery for the nationwide network of National Abortion Rights Action League (now NARAL Prochoice America). She directed a grassroots mobilization program for Citizen Action. She has led development programs including Leading Nonprofit Organizations for the Gestalt International Study Center, the Practitioners Program with the Center for Human Systems, and numerous workshops on planning, diversity, and leadership.
She has authored several publications on diversity, planning, training and consulting. A recent publication is “Learning to Transfer OD Online: Adaptations of a Technology Late Adopter”, in Organization Development Review (Spring, 2021). She is a member of NTL Institute, Organization Development Network, and the Gestalt International Study Center.
Heather is a life-long learner whose education includes
- Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania
- Master of Science in Organization Development from American University
- International Gestalt Organization and Leadership Development (iGOLD) certificate
- Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification, 2021
- Martial arts student and instructor (1985-2005), yoga student (since 2004), avid hiker.
Gillian Shapiro, (she, her, hers) PhD, B.A. (Hons)
Managing Director, Shapiro Consulting Ltd
Gillian is a highly experienced organisational culture and change consultant, Founder and Managing Director of Shapiro Consulting, with over twenty-five years specialist expertise in inclusion and diversity. She supports global organisations to improve their performance by increasing their capacity and capability to work positively with employee and stakeholder diversity and inclusion with several of her clients being recognised and awarded for their progress and achievements on this. Her leading-edge research on inclusion and diversity and skills in translating this into practical solutions provides a unique combination for her clients.
CONSULTANCY, COACHING & PROGRAMME EXPERIENCE
Gillian has led transformational change programmes broadly on diversity and inclusion and specifically focusing on: age, anti-racism, disability and gender. She has extensive experience in diagnostic and strategy development, co-developing the ‘Inclusive Inquiry’ methodology, as well as measuring the impact of diversity and inclusion progress and actions. She developed progression frameworks and benchmarking models enabling hundreds of different organisations globally to develop and assess their impact on diversity and inclusion. She has co-developed an inclusive culture change programme that is successfully being applied in several NHS organisations in the UK. Gillian coaches leaders globally developing their capabilities in building high performing inclusive and diverse teams within often complex work environments.
Gillian also conducts research and published the first UK report on the behaviours, actions and impact of Inclusive Leadership in 2011. Previously she led pan-European action research programmes on innovation, employee diversity and engagement at the Centre for Research in Innovation Management (CENTRIM) at the University of Brighton. Her doctorate research focused on the career development of women into senior leadership roles. Currently, Gillian is working with the International Labour Organization on the first global study of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Gillian is invited to speak on her research and professional work, most recently at the Africa Learning and Development Conference.
CLIENTS
Gillian’s work includes change programmes with clients globally across Europe, Africa and Asia within NGO and not-for-profit as well as private sector organisations. Examples of clients include: International Labour Organization, Womankind International, NAZ (not-for-profit Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic sexual health agency), Diamond Light Source, Biomedical Research Centre, Business in the Community, Business Disability Forum, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Dentons LLP, TITAN Cement Group, Royal Academy of Engineering, Eversheds Sutherland LLP, National Health Service, UBS, Worldpay.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
Gillian holds a certificate in coaching from the Academy of Executive Coaching and in organisational development from the Institute for Applied Behavioural Science (NTL). She has an international certificate in Gestalt Leadership and Organisational Change (iGOLD). She is an associate of the Human Systems Dynamics Institute in complex change and a member of NTL and the Organisational Development Network Europe.
Gillian is White, Sephardi Jewish, cis-gender female, heterosexual and able bodied. She has joint UK and Portuguese citizenship and lives in the UK with her husband and two teenage children. Her working language is English.
CONSULTANCY, COACHING & PROGRAMME EXPERIENCE
Gillian has led transformational change programmes broadly on diversity and inclusion and specifically focusing on: age, anti-racism, disability and gender. She has extensive experience in diagnostic and strategy development, co-developing the ‘Inclusive Inquiry’ methodology, as well as measuring the impact of diversity and inclusion progress and actions. She developed progression frameworks and benchmarking models enabling hundreds of different organisations globally to develop and assess their impact on diversity and inclusion. She has co-developed an inclusive culture change programme that is successfully being applied in several NHS organisations in the UK. Gillian coaches leaders globally developing their capabilities in building high performing inclusive and diverse teams within often complex work environments.
Gillian also conducts research and published the first UK report on the behaviours, actions and impact of Inclusive Leadership in 2011. Previously she led pan-European action research programmes on innovation, employee diversity and engagement at the Centre for Research in Innovation Management (CENTRIM) at the University of Brighton. Her doctorate research focused on the career development of women into senior leadership roles. Currently, Gillian is working with the International Labour Organization on the first global study of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Gillian is invited to speak on her research and professional work, most recently at the Africa Learning and Development Conference.
CLIENTS
Gillian’s work includes change programmes with clients globally across Europe, Africa and Asia within NGO and not-for-profit as well as private sector organisations. Examples of clients include: International Labour Organization, Womankind International, NAZ (not-for-profit Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic sexual health agency), Diamond Light Source, Biomedical Research Centre, Business in the Community, Business Disability Forum, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Dentons LLP, TITAN Cement Group, Royal Academy of Engineering, Eversheds Sutherland LLP, National Health Service, UBS, Worldpay.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
Gillian holds a certificate in coaching from the Academy of Executive Coaching and in organisational development from the Institute for Applied Behavioural Science (NTL). She has an international certificate in Gestalt Leadership and Organisational Change (iGOLD). She is an associate of the Human Systems Dynamics Institute in complex change and a member of NTL and the Organisational Development Network Europe.
Gillian is White, Sephardi Jewish, cis-gender female, heterosexual and able bodied. She has joint UK and Portuguese citizenship and lives in the UK with her husband and two teenage children. Her working language is English.