Meet our Coaches

Here to Guide Your Journey with Equity and Justice

Jeremiah J. Sims, Ph.D.

  • Jeremiah J. Sims may not have seen it all, but he’s seen enough to know what hunger feels like and the ways that violence transmogrifies dreams into nightmares. A first-generation college student, born in Oakland and raised in Richmond, CA, Jeremiah experienced racism, especially in the form of low education expectations, food insecurity, and housing insecurity. He was also system-impacted. Jeremiah grew up in the East Bay Area and saw fratricidal violence, firsthand, both in and outside of his home. Like many poor Black and Brown students, he faced trying circumstances but was able to eventually excel academically. He credits his Heavenly Father, his faith, and his community for his academic success.

    As a result of his own life experiences, Jeremiah has devoted his career to the pursuit and ultimate realization of educational equity for hyper-marginalized students. Jeremiah served as the Director of Equity for the College of San Mateo. for 6 years and is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley where he earned a B.A. in rhetoric, with honors, as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in education. ​

In a coaching session with Jeremiah, you can expect a focus on fostering belonging without othering by cultivating radical inclusivity. Grounded in authentic relating and relational cultural theory, Jeremiah guides leaders through actionable strategies to build equitable environments where everyone feels valued, seen, and empowered to contribute.

  • Specialties & Topics: Critical Race Theory and Practice, Racialized Capitalism, Educational Equity and Justice, Transformative Listening. Jeremiah has authored several books exploring topics like racialized capitalism, educational equity, and justice. In addition, as a certified listening coach, Jeremiah equips leaders with the tools to engage in transformative conversations that foster understanding, connection, and lasting change.

Rachel Sims, M.A.

  • Rachel Sims has over 15 years of experience in developing and directing equity-centered programs in the nonprofit world and in education. She was at the helm of a summer residential STEM program for under-resourced students of color for eight of those years and was instrumental in scaling it nationwide. Her passion is ensuring that heart intentions are preserved in policy and practice; that students' "self" is not compromised with outcomes in mind.

    While planning the path forward is one of her strengths, she is drawn to situations that necessitate walking by faith and breaking with tradition. In the past few years, Rachel has also been working with a group of artists and acting as liaison for students and communities of color in the creation of large-scale murals. She is currently the Director of Advancement Strategy and Operations for Golden Gate University. Rachel is a Bay Area native and is raising five amazing boys with Jeremiah. She holds a bachelor’s in business management from UC Berkeley and a master’s in educational administration from San Francisco State University.

In a coaching session with Rachel, you can expect a nurturing and compassionate space where active listening and thoughtful dialogue may guide you toward self-reflection. Rachel’s approach provides emotional support and, if needed, helps you think through the next steps for your current situation.

  • Specialties & Topics: Collaborative Work Environments, Program Development & Operations, Forgiveness, Work/Life Balance, Children & Family, Equitable Decision-Making & Policy.

Diva Ward, M.A.

  • Jeremiah J. Sims may not have seen it all, but he’s seen enough to know what hunger feels like and the ways that violence transmogrifies dreams into nightmares. A first-generation college student, born in Oakland and raised in Richmond, CA, Jeremiah experienced racism, especially in the form of low education expectations, food insecurity, and housing insecurity. He was also system-impacted. Jeremiah grew up in the East Bay Area and saw fratricidal violence, firsthand, both in and outside of his home. Like many poor Black and Brown students, he faced trying circumstances but was able to eventually excel academically. He credits his Heavenly Father, his faith, and his community for his academic success.

    As a result of his own life experiences, Jeremiah has devoted his career to the pursuit and ultimate realization of educational equity for hyper-marginalized students. Jeremiah served as the Director of Equity for the College of San Mateo. for 6 years and is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley where he earned a B.A. in rhetoric, with honors, as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in education. ​

In a coaching session with Diva, you can expect each conversation to bring with it understanding, simplicity, planning, and positivity to any/all situations, relying on more than 25 years of higher education experience as a backdrop. “When you experience things in the workplace, you know how to get through experiences in the workplace. That’s what I bring to my coaching.” - Diva

  • Specialties & Topics: Leading with empathy, equitable leadership and decision making; operationalizing learning into your every day; less thinking and more action. Centering work as a retention strategy, staying focused and silencing the distractions and understanding the real value of perseverance.

Kelsey Christensen-Abel

In a coaching session with Kelsey, you can expect a compassionate, justice-oriented approach that fosters radically inclusive spaces, deepens belonging, and empowers individuals to harness privilege, navigate power dynamics, and engage meaningfully as a white person committed to systemic change.

  • Specialties & Topics: Trauma-Informed Engagement & Healing, Learning and Acting Beyond Allyship, Belonging without Othering, Well-Being Theory, Positive & Social Psychology, Community Building and Coalitions, State-Level Advocacy, Children & Family.

  • Kelsey Christensen-Abel is a fierce social justice advocate working to navigate, teach, and learn how to create radically inclusive and humanizing spaces, places, and opportunities to increase others’ well-being. She is dedicated to making small transformational and loving shifts while advocating and working for systemic change.

    Kelsey earned an Associate in Arts in Social Sciences and Education and is currently studying social psychology, well-being theory, and social welfare at Evergreen State College, where she also obtained a Trauma-Informed Engagement and Healing certification. She is working towards completing a Master’s in Social Work. Since 2013, Kelsey has served on the Board of Trustees for the Olympia Education Foundation, where she chairs the Social Emotional and Well-Being Committee. Her work with Rooted in Love (RIL) began after her transformative experience as a participant in the Initiative in Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism Leadership fellowship and RIL’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Coaching Pilot.

    Kelsey is a permanent U.S. resident and Canadian citizen originally from Calgary, Alberta. She resides in Olympia, Washington, with her husband, two sons, and their dog.

Kayla Pezolano

  • Kayla Pezolano is a writer and business support specialist originally from Queens, New York. As a former high school dropout, first-gen, and non-traditional college student, Kayla has overcome many hurdles in her academic career. Despite that, Kayla is currently pursuing a B.A. in Integrated Social Sciences at the University of Washington and has won numerous awards for her academic success including being named one of UW’s 2020 Martin Achievement Scholars. Professionally, Kayla has 8 years of experience in the administrative field and has made a significant impact on improving business processes with many companies.

    Having fought to break the poverty cycle and other systemically oppressive systems in her own family, Kayla is very passionate about justice and equity work. This is how she ended up joining the IDEAL fellowship, returning as a teacher's assistant, and now is formally part of the Rooted In Love team! Kayla’s ultimate goal is to inspire the community with her leadership skills and make positive changes, whether it be in someone’s personal life or at an institutional level.

    As a result of his own life experiences, Jeremiah has devoted his career to the pursuit and ultimate realization of educational equity for hyper-marginalized students. Jeremiah served as the Director of Equity for the College of San Mateo. for 6 years and is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley where he earned a B.A. in rhetoric, with honors, as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in education. ​

In a coaching session with Kayla, you can expect a supportive space held with care for your growth, deep listening that centers your needs and the needs of the community, and valuable perspective as a recent student, professional, and woman of color navigating systemic challenges.

  • Specialties & Topics: Non-hierarchical Power Dynamics, Empowering First-Generation and Non-Traditional Students, Understanding and Navigating Privilege.