ABOUT US
Calico Culture Strategies was co-founded as the Unconscious Bias Project in 2017, by two scientists who knew from their own lived experiences that in order to make true system change happen, we needed to do more.
That’s why we help you drive change with scientifically-backed tools.
We build supportive workplaces through custom programming, positive collaboration, and practical action so everyone can thrive.
We engage at the individual, group, and collective level with an inquisitive and empathetic approach to make lasting change.
Our vision is to combat systemic injustice by transforming each community we work with one-at-a-time, brick-by-brick, until we build a system where we embrace our differences and strive forward in unity.
Our Story
Our Values
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Be Open
We aim to foster the kind of community that embraces diversity, actively champions equity, and truly embodies inclusion.
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Be Humble
We care abut your success as an organization and think deeply about any problem instead of giving an out-of-the-box answer.
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Be Curious
We want you to feel heard. Our curiosity makes this a collaborative process, giving you the kind of tools that build confidence because they actually work.
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Have Fun
We always speak up when we see something wrong. But this work is not about blaming or shaming, it's about building relationships. Having fun means we can authentically connect with each other, while still facing the serious issues at hand.
Meet The Team
Your Co-Facilitators
Alexis Krohn (she/her)
Calico Co-Executive Director. Alexis is a writer, teacher, community organizer. She’s here, she’s queer, and she’s passionate about spreadsheets, system design, and workshop facilitation. On the side, she spins fire, plays guitar, and loves engaging with people with curiosity and compassion.
Dr. Linet Mera, Ph.D. (she/her)
Calico Co-Executive Director, Co-Founder. Linet is a Latinx scientist from Colombia with 10 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion program design. Loves oceans, connecting with people through food, dance, singing, and paint.
Our Core Team
Brenda Gonzalez (she/her)
Brenda is a strategic communication consultant specializing in social-impact campaigns. She is the co-founder and co-CEO of Tamarindo, a Latinx empowerment platform and podcast recognized by Oprah Magazine as a resource to learn about race and racism in America. She writes and speaks about race, gender, and civil rights.
Susannah Lim (she/her)
Calico Research & Outreach Projects. Susannah is a UC Berkeley student and an instructor for a student-run public health course. She is also our affiliate UC Berkeley student organization Co-Leader.
Theresa Oborn (they/them)
Calico Art & Design. Theresa is the artist behind our bias cartoons! Large-scale sculptor and aspiring illustrator in Seattle, WA.
Laurie Drake (she/her)
Marketing and social media at Calico.
Kayla Imperial
Biography to come.
Em Zeman
Biography to come.
Ready to work with our team of dedicated experts?
Our Advisors
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Cat Adams (she/her)
Calico Academic Advisor. Cat is a Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Plant and Microbiology Department and has five years of experience in developing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
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Advisor
Advisor bio to come.
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Advisor
Advisor bio to come.
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Advisor
Advisor bio to come.
Our Fiscal Sponsorship
Calico Culture Strategies is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a tax-deductible 501c3 nonprofit organization (EIN 46-1323531).
Our Student Organization Affiliate
At the University of California, Berkeley our first student organization affiliate is Unconscious Bias Project at Berkeley, a registered student organization. We’re also grateful for the past support of SYNBERC, the Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center.
Anna Schneider, PhD, Co-Founder
Emily Kearney, PhD, Co-leader
Caleb Fleisher
Claire Willing
Leigh Martin
Mitch Thompson, PhD
Lucrecia Iruela
Sophi Martin
Kaitlyn Farrell Rodriguez
Saffy Sumra
Our Past Members & Contributors
We are forever grateful for the passion, vision, knowledge, and hard work from our past advisors, members, leaders, and founders who helped make Calico what it is today.
Norma Morella
Simca Bouma
Tanuj Surve
Vay Cao, PhD
Jess Mitchell
Roo Vandegrift, PhD
Aaron Culich
Gaëlle Feliz
Selena Martinez Mak
Destiny Ramirez
Seth Boeckman