María L. Gabriel

About María L. Gabriel

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)- buzz words for some; purpose and meaning for others. DEI is seen as politically divisive, yet it is a means to ensure that EACH person gets what they need to succeed, that the whole person is valued and supported, and that everyone feels they belong, so they can show up as their best self in any work or learning environment. DEI efforts can be measured, and they can transform systems!As a public school educator in Northern Colorado for nearly 30 years, I have seen the ebb and flow of commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Belonging, and Accessibility in non-profits and for-profits. When the commitment has been flowing high, I have completed technical tasks such as reviewed employee handbooks, emails, and employee products for cultural responsiveness, wrote Equity Statements, coordinated and facilitated DEI training for audiences of 5-200, and engaged in 1:1 coaching. As I developed my work with leadership in organizations who sought my support to create adaptive changes to lead to the transformation of experiences and institutions, I collaborated with community stakeholders to garner their perspectives and input to write Colorado\'s first Educational Equity Policy for a PK-21 school district, advocated for identity through ERGs, and invested in community by creating pipelines for access and opportunity. What came after that were major shifts to a culture, climate, and system.Who I am:Executive Leader of Social Impact & Community Belonging | 30 Years of Institutional Transformation & Advocacy | Specialist in Community Investment, Stakeholder Diplomacy, and Building High-Belonging CulturesFind out more at:https://tinyurl.com/MLGCV2026https://canva.link/e92hqn4499hr3gj

Experience

1. Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

   Thompson School District

   Feb 2019 — Present

   I returned to the school district I grew up in to build systems and structures to support the district-wide commitment to educational equity. The infrastructure developed in five years\' time includes 1) Authored Colorado\'s first Educational Equity Policy passed unanimously by the Board of Education; 2) Collaborated with community, staff, and district leaders to determine the goals, responsibilities, and strategies to implement the Equity Policy; 3) Created the Educational Equity Framework to document our historical process, steps taken, and focus areas; 4) Recommended equity-centered language to be added to the district strategic plan; 5) Led diverse student and family engagement through culturally responsive family, school, and community partnering, student surveying, student focus groups; and community voice.

Education

• University of Phoenix

  Master of Education (M.Ed.), School Counseling

  2002 — 2004

• Colorado State University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Educational Leadership, Renewal, and Change

  2007 — 2011

• University of Colorado Boulder

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Spanish Language and Literature and Sociology

  1992 — 1996