Hola compañero/a/x
I’m Patty Narváez-Wheeler
DEIJB Strategist. Social Worker. Instructional Designer. Educator. Facilitator. Solopreneur. Mama. Nicaragüense
My Education
My journey began with my mother's stories of colorism, classism and revolution. My own experiences as a second-generation Nicaraguan American immigrant with many privileges followed. Early on, I sought to understand why economic and racial disparities exist and how we bring about transformative change through a bachelor's degree in International Studies and (later) a Master of Social Work in Community-Based Practice. I am trained in ' educación popular' and certified as an Instructional Designer by ADT. Most recently, motherhood has been my greatest teacher, illuminating so much about self, systems, and the power of the stories we are told and tell. Oh! And books. So. Many. Books. 🤓
My Experience
I bring fifteen years of developing and implementing DEIJB strategies and programs in health, social services, child welfare, global economic development, and the workforce, primarily in the nonprofit and public sectors. I spent two incredibly transformative years living and working in the motherland, Nicaragua, designing experiential education programs for improved US foreign policy. Years in case management and community engagement in the PNW followed and rooted me in cultural humility and a deep commitment to institutional change work. The last decade specifically brought rich experiences in building the capacity of people and organizations to prioritize intersectional equity and inclusion through learning, practice, storytelling, and data. I've learned that deep listening, strategy, power sharing, relationship building, and accountability pave the way to the transformation employees, community, clients, and service users want, see and feel.
My Why
I do this work because of my and other people's babies, my parents and ancestors (Adela, Julia, Glenda, Lourdes, Sandra, Salvador y Maria 🕯 ), the divine feminine, and my inner niña. I'm compelled by the stories of employees, community members, leaders, and activists seeking and building a better way and our shared human needs to be seen, valued, safe, and free. Put super simply, I do this because we are interconnected with all living things, and for collective love, care, and liberation.