Keynote Speaker Dr. Liza Talusan
Thursday, October 19, 2023

Dr. Talusan is an educator, strategic change partner, leader, writer, leadership coach and parent. With over 25 years of experience in PreK-20 education, Liza is an engaging facilitator in conversations about diversity, inclusion, and bias creates environments that allow for people to build the habits and skills for difficult conversations for meaningful change. Through her direct work with organizational leaders, staff, students, teachers, and communities, Liza empowers individuals to create a more inclusive organization, environment, community, and team.

Dr. Talusan has been invited to more than 375 organizations across the country and internationally to deliver keynote addresses and facilitate dialogue groups, training workshops, strategic planning, change management, and build organizational capacity. Certified as a Professional Coach by the Institute for Professional Education in Coaching (iPEC), Liza’s philosophy is rooted in values, strengths, community engagement, and vision.

Talusan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Child Development from Connecticut College; Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from New York University; Ph.D. in Higher Education from University of Massachusetts Boston; Certificate in Human Resources, Stonehill College; and PCC Coaching Credentials. She holds multiple certifications in assessment surveys for organizational change and leadership development.

As a scholar and researcher, Liza’s cumulative research interests include the experiences of underrepresented populations; Asian American and Pacific Islander students; socialization to graduate programs; navigating academic parenthood; interracial relationships; recognizing and reducing unconscious bias; and the impact of federal financial aid policies. She has integrated scholarship and research by conducting equity audits and organizational focus groups. Her latest book The Identity-Conscious Educator: Building the habits and skills for more inclusive schools was published by Solution Tree press in 2022 and has been adopted by numerous schools, universities, non-profits, and community-based organizations.

In addition to her work at the national level with corporations, non-profit organizations, and schools, Liza serves as a faculty member in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she teaches both Master’s and Doctoral students. Liza serves on the board of the Old Colony YMCA (Massachusetts) and on the cancer-focused organization, FORCE.

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