Recent Graduates

CATALYST THOUGHT LEADER

Dohrea Bardell, PhD
President, BioImmersion, author

Dohrea Bardell, PhD

Dr. Bardell was born in northern Israel on kibbutz Megiddo, in the valley of Jezreel, below Mountain Megiddo (Har Megiddo), the famous location of Armageddon in apocalyptic literature for the final battle between good and evil. Raised by a family with European and Latin backgrounds, she  lived with a diverse collective of people. Dr. Bardell’s research presents an argument and a model for a Normative Kantian Peace, based on a framework for human development toward maturity, the ability to enact just principles of peace within egalitarian, ‘kibbutz like’ communities.

As a president at BioImmersion, a manufacturing company of Therapeutic Food supplements for integrative (holistic) medical practitioners, and as a Fellow at the Institute for Social Innovation at Fielding Graduate University, Dohrea combines her work and research. She has co-authored the book Living Well, Dying Well with Judy Stevens-Long and has written several articles on rebuilding our health by adhering to eco-farmed foods.

COACH THOUGHT LEADER

Akasha, PhD
Solfire Consulting Group

Akasha, PhD

Nothing brings more joy to Akasha than supporting people’s vertical development and helping organizations foster deliberately inclusive cultures. He is an Associate with Cultivating Leadership and a consultant with Solfire Consulting Group. He is known for his success working with people across cultural and social identity differences. He designs and facilitates interventions that supports adult development and intercultural competence. He has worked with colleagues to develop and co-facilitate the Dare to Connect and Leading Inclusively programs. Akasha is a pilgrim and developmental coach. He also teaches at St. George’s University in Grenada.

Akasha holds a Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University. He is credentialed through the International Coach Federation (ICF) as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He is ever on the move and spends most of his time between Grenada and Bermuda with his partner, their son, and very protective cockapoo dog.

COUNSELOR-HEALER THOUGHT LEADER

Lorraine Crockford, PHD, LMFT  
Trauma Psychotherapist

Lorraine Crockford, PHD, LMFT

My Fielding journey merged a long-term dream and hunger for knowledge beyond my prior education and licensing as a psychotherapist. I became energized by my faculty, and challenged to expand from a micro to a macro view in social, educational and work institutions that shape human development. When the fires began in Napa, California I deepened my inquiry to first responder trauma incident exposure. First responders complete suicide more than 10 times the rate of the general public.

Scaffolding a lifeworld phenomenological study (Schütz, A.1962) in multiple realities created an ontology in direct opposition to systems of quantification in matters of humanity. Advocacy courses through my practice for those systematically oppressed by institutional, legal, community and family discourse. I work with Type l trauma exposure & Type ll complex developmental trauma transforming lifeworld possibilities. One client recently said “I’m finally out of the dark” a resonance in light of Fielding’s transformative education.

ACTIVIST-ADVOCATE THOUGHT LEADER

Ruth Edwards, PhD
Director of Education at the Winter Park Library

Ruth Edwards, PhD

Dr. Ruth Edwards is Director of Education at the Winter Park Library in Winter Park, Florida. She earned a PhD in Human Development and Master of Science in Organizational Systems at Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA., where her research identified the socialization process for Black women born and raised in the U.S.

Ruth is passionate about social justice and making the world better for those who come behind her. She is a lover of art and books, and currently facilitates the monthly James Baldwin Book Group where members discuss works focused on the African American experience.

She is the author of two books: Becoming a Black Woman: A Theory of Internalized Collection Consciousness and Step Into Yourself: Spiritual Affirmations for Embracing Change. Dr. Edwards is a former radio announcer for WJSU in Charlotte, NC and an award-winning television producer/host at WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC.

She has worked as an adjunct professor at Rollins College, Valencia College, and Seminole State College.

ACTIVIST-ADVOCATE THOUGHT LEADER

Christina Kaviani, PhD
Communications and Education Director at RISE

Christina Kaviani, PhD

Christina Kaviani earned her doctorate in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University in 2019, focusing her research on the impact of smartphones on the sexual behaviors of Generation Z males. Christina is the Communications and Education Director at RISE, a community organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault and/or intimate partner violence.

At RISE, she leads education, volunteer and outreach efforts. Christina is also a lecturer at California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo in the Communications Department. Lastly, she is a trained parent educator for Love and Logic where she integrates discussions on racial and social justice for parents and children.

Christina is passionate about creating spaces that support creativity, laughter, and inclusion. She loves traveling, coffee shops, bike rides with her family, and thrift store shopping. Her goal in life is to help raise a generation that understands the importance of justice, empathy, connection, and most of all, love.

ACADEMIC THOUGHT LEADER

Ande Diaz, PhD
Chief Diversity Officer for Saint Anselm College

Ande Diaz, PhD

Dr. Ande Diaz is the Chief Diversity Officer for Saint Anselm College. In this role she oversees the creation and monitoring of a campus culture of inclusiveness and equity. Previously Ande served in roles such as Associate Provost at Allegheny College; Research Associate for Civic Engagement at Tufts University; Media, Arts and Public Service Career Advisor at Harvard College; and Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs and Director of the Center for Community Service at Princeton University, and as Director of the Intercultural Center at Roger Williams University. She has taught American Studies and courses such as “intergroup communication for a participatory democracy.” Ande’s research includes inter-ethnic alliances and intergroup dialogue.

Ande credits her father (son of a Puerto Rican seamstress and a mentee of Dr. Kenneth Clark) and her mother (friend of Bayard Rustin) with directing Ande’s career towards diversity and democracy decades before the role of “CDO” existed.

Ande holds a B.A. from Yale University, an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Ph.D. in human and organizational development from Fielding.

CATALYST THOUGHT LEADER

Kim Benjamin, PhD
Educator, Los Angeles Unified School District

Kim Benjamin, PhD

When I applied to Fielding, I was a part-time Parent Education teacher, and a full-time mother wanting to deepen my understanding of “Parenting,” black children in a hostile society.

Once accepted, earning a Ph.D. in Human Organization and Development became a pursuit of empowerment for myself while also informing my service to my community. My dissertation explores family, educational, judicial, and healthcare systems that contribute to the perpetuation of social hostilities that target black people.

My decision to obtain a degree in Human Organization and Development has been personally fulfilling, culturally inspiring and one that I continue to value. Presently, I serve as an Educator for the Los Angeles Unified School District as well as advocate for culturally responsive attention to the parents and students of our schools.

ACADEMIC THOUGHT LEADER

Brent Duncan, PhD
Work-Live Elevation Through Higher Education Consulting

Brent Duncan, PhD

As an adult higher education professional, Dr. Brent Duncan believes the most valuable product of the School is the graduate; this drives his adult development and teaching philosophy to foster Work-Live Elevation through Higher Education™. Dr. Duncan served as Chair of Graduate Management Programs for the Pacific Air Force Command Education Services and Dean of Faculty for the University of Phoenix School of Business. He is a professor for Jack Welch Management Institute and faculty for Park University. He also has 30 years’ experience directing marketing and management functions for organizations in manufacturing, technology, finance, and education. Dr. Duncan holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and a Master’s in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University. He also holds a Master’s in Management and a Bachelor’s in Communications. Through his consultancy, Synthegrate®, he builds high-performance learning systems that help working professionals leverage higher education to elevate career, family, and life.