Langston Hughes
"The three-part workshop series led by ReFresh Strategies for the Educational Innovation department at Northeastern University was insightful. Their approach helped our leadership team explore inclusive leadership, understand the impact of language, and provided practical steps to foster a more equitable environment.
From the start, ReFresh Strategies created a space of openness and trust. Their sessions were thoughtfully structured, blending critical concepts with interactive discussions that encouraged reflection and personal growth. By the final session, we were not only equipped with the knowledge but were also inspired to commit to specific actions to foster inclusion and equity in our department. The workshop series culminated in co-creating intervention strategies and committing to ongoing learning and accountability.
Overall, the workshops facilitated by ReFresh Strategies were important experiences for our leadership team. They helped us not only deepen our relationships but also develop practical, systemic interventions to ensure our department continues to evolve into a more inclusive and supportive space for all. We are grateful for their expertise and guidance in this critical area of leadership development."
"ReFresh Strategies helped the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Northeastern (ODEI) revolutionize our approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training. As partners, they bring an unparalleled level of expertise, passion, and innovation to the table. From the moment we engaged with their team, it was evident that they were not just another DEI training provider; they were true change-makers committed to fostering lasting impact within our organization.
Their approach is comprehensive and deeply engaging, blending theory with real-world application in a way that resonates with participants at all levels. The training sessions are interactive, thought-provoking, and designed to challenge existing mindsets while providing practical tools for creating more inclusive workplaces. What sets Refresh Strategies apart is their ability to create a safe and open environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing complex and often sensitive topics. This has led to some of the most meaningful and transformative conversations we’ve ever had as a team.
Most importantly to our goals, the team at ReFresh Strategies is incredibly responsive and tailored their training to meet our specific needs. They took the time to understand our unique organizational culture and challenges, allowing them to deliver learning opportunities with measurable results."
"Madeline and Derek were patient and adaptive to our firm's needs. Through our work with the team, we were able to surface areas where our organization could improve that we may have otherwise remained blind to. We thank Madeline, Derek, and Ligia for the care they demonstrated in helping Bailit Health in our efforts to move the needle on company-wide goals."
“I had a wonderful experience coordinating my team’s planning retreat with Derek. He was incredibly thoughtful and engaged in selecting the appropriate criteria and content for the session, and was amenable to edits I suggested. Despite our giving him a short turn-around time frame, at no point did I feel as if we were not his top priority. On the days of our planning activities, Derek was on-time, prepared, professional and engaged – truly feeling like a member of our team. All goals and deliverables of our efforts were achieved because of Derek’s excellent facilitation skills. I will absolutely call upon Derek in the future to facilitate the next planning effort we need, and strongly urge others to consider doing the same.”
"Derek was a critical member of our leadership team for the 25th and 50th anniversary of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. He worked with our program and communications committees to diversify our audiences from the strategies to the tactics. We had an incredibly successful season with some very exciting new programs and local marketing. His perspective, personality, networks and experience all contributed to the successful results."
“Derek was a great thought partner in the design and development of the Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship (CEF). In addition to conceptualizing some of the building blocks for the program’s structure, he was key in assisting with outreach to a diverse set of artists and creative entrepreneurs from around Boston. Years later, CEF is still going strong with Derek’s contributions at the core.”