05/01/2026
Identity and Power at Work: Being the Change We Seek
Facilitators: Anissa Ray and Kristen L. Handricken
Our identities shape how we see the world—and how the world sees us. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the ways that identity, privilege, and power dynamics influence our relationships, decisions, and organizational culture. Together, we’ll reflect on how each of us can lead with greater awareness and accountability, and practice strategies for aligning our daily actions with the values of equity and inclusion.
Kristen L. Handricken is a nationally recognized leader in organizational learning and development, helping institutions translate values-based commitments into meaningful organizational change. With over 25 years of experience spanning education, public health, government, and human services, she collaborates with organizations to operationalize justice, equity, and inclusion through strategic planning, leadership development, and structural transformation.
Kristen has held senior leadership roles across universities, public health systems, and nonprofit organizations, including serving as Executive Director of the Resource Center for Parents and Children, Director of Learning and Training at Boston University and Senior Trainer for Health Equity and Racial Justice at the Boston Public Health Commission. In these roles, she led large-scale learning and organizational development initiatives serving tens of thousands of staff, faculty, and students, helping institutions align policies, leadership practices, and workforce systems with their stated equity commitments.
Kristen’s work brings together research, facilitation, and organizational strategy. She is widely respected for her ability to guide organizations through difficult conversations and structural change processes using restorative practices, trauma-informed approaches, and organizational development methods. In addition to her consulting work, Kristen currently serves as a Research Associate at the Wellesley Centers for Women and contributes to national research initiatives focused on equity in education and public health. She has also served as adjunct faculty at several universities and has published research on school climate, youth development, and educational equity.
Anissa Ray is a leadership and workforce development strategist with more than 20 years of experience advancing equity-centered change across public health, housing, and human service systems. As a consultant with Institute Equity, she partners with organizations to design inclusive leadership pipelines, strengthen organizational learning systems, and build workplace cultures where equity, belonging, and professional growth are embedded in everyday practice.
Anissa currently serves in senior leadership roles at the Boston Public Health Commission, where she directs multiple professional development initiatives supporting a workforce of more than 1,400 employees. She has designed and implemented twelve Emerging Leaders programs that have successfully moved more than half of participants into leadership roles, helping organizations cultivate diverse leadership from within.
Anissa’s work also includes developing large-scale onboarding systems, training and supporting thousands of municipal and community public health service providers, and aligning workforce development initiatives with public health strategy and equity goals. Grounded in adult learning, instructional design, and anti-racist organizational practice, Anissa brings a practical, systems-focused approach to helping institutions build sustainable leadership pathways and equitable workforce systems.
