Taisha C. Steele

Taisha C. Steele has over twenty years of experience as a practitioner and consultant in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and justice (DEIBJ), and mental health. In partnership with clients, Taisha works to define and build cultures that embrace values, empathy, and diversity in its workforce, culture, content, and perspectives. She oversees Aspire’s Trauma-Informed Conflict/Crisis Response Team and leaders our DEIBJ practice.

Taisha prioritizes relationship-building and service when designing effective strategies for integrating DEIBJ principles into organizational practices. She ensures that each process is tailored to every client’s unique brand, mission, and goals. She has designed and initiated results-oriented DEIBJ-focused strategies, workshops, and dialogues for senior management, people managers, and staff.

As a leader, Taisha encourages learning, reflection, awareness, and community-building. She promotes compassionate workplaces and believes in the power of transparency. She often reminds clients to extend grace to one another, especially during the learning and growth phases.

Taisha is a trusted advisor, leader, and expert. She has held several leadership positions in the public school sector, providing inclusion strategies to create more equitable and inclusive havens for children. She was the inaugural senior equity advisor for Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, where she worked internally and externally to advance DEIBJ. She was also the statewide Director of Human and Civil Rights for the Virginia Employment Commission.

Taisha is an adjunct professor at Bluefield University and has taught courses on trauma-informed schools and intersectionality and trauma. She served on the Virginia Department of Education’s Task Force on Equity and Reopening Schools during the COVID pandemic. Taisha was named the 2020 Virginia Counselor of the Year and serves on several boards. She has a master’s degree in counseling and an education specialist degree in education leadership and policy. Taisha is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on DEIBJ.