Photo of Kelsi Ju writing the words "DEI" and "Impact over Intention" on a white board. She is wearing a red collared jacquard jacket with dark red cat eye glasses and a long black ponytail. She is looking over her shoulder with a welcoming smile while holding a purple dry erase marker.
"Your lived experiences are your undeniable truths"
Kelsi Ju M.A. she/her (hear name), SUSB Founder/Owner
Kelsi Ju M.A. she/her (hear name), SUSB Founder/Owner
Step Up Step Back was born from a vision to create the most impactful DEI opportunities for those who can exponentially magnify equitable and inclusive practices with their positions in leadership.
Drawing from my professional and personal experience as a person of minority, Step Up Step Back combines established leadership practices with impactful application. Each session embodies authenticity, adaptability, and empowerment to take your career advancement to the next level as a leader.
Prior to the pandemic I forecasted a future increase in a demand for DEI services. During the pandemic events such as Black Lives Matter, Stop Asian Hate, and Trans rights movements brought the forecast to life in American society and global events.
With a Master's in Diversity and Inclusion from the University of Kansas's leadership studies department, I am the 7th person in the entire nation with the fully accredited formal title in the emerging DEI profession and academic fields. An array of institutional leadership theories and DEI case studies set the foundation for Step Up Step Back's executive coaching and group trainings.
Drawing from my professional and personal experience as a person of minority, Step Up Step Back combines established leadership practices with impactful application. Each session embodies authenticity, adaptability, and empowerment to take your career advancement to the next level as a leader.
Prior to the pandemic I forecasted a future increase in a demand for DEI services. During the pandemic events such as Black Lives Matter, Stop Asian Hate, and Trans rights movements brought the forecast to life in American society and global events.
With a Master's in Diversity and Inclusion from the University of Kansas's leadership studies department, I am the 7th person in the entire nation with the fully accredited formal title in the emerging DEI profession and academic fields. An array of institutional leadership theories and DEI case studies set the foundation for Step Up Step Back's executive coaching and group trainings.
I grew up bouncing between San Francisco and Honolulu as a Queer Asian American Pacific Islander Woman. Throughout my life, I struggled to find professional role models who reflected my intersectional identities; multi-ethnic (Chinese/Okinawan), Spanish speaking, on the autism spectrum, a rainbow family member, a survivor, and a time limited veteran.
In the absence of accurate representation, I decided to be the change I wanted to see in the world.
In 2014 I completed Peace Corps service where I experienced the worst and the best of humanity. I was assigned as an environmental health extensionist in Panama. I lived and worked with the indigenous Ngäbe people in extreme hardship communities with no car access, electricity, nor potable water. Together the indigenous community leaders and I developed culturally sensitive Gender And Diversity programs for; Latinx government employees, illiterate adults, women artisan cooperatives, and indigenous youth. I began as a young professional employing adaptive leadership techniques with nearly 500 indigenous and Latinx Panamanians, but during the most challenging projects I forged my transformative leadership skills.
While serving multiple tours of duty as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service I worked to systematically break down gender, age, ethnic, and language barriers by integrating DEI work into environmental education program. As the education manager at the Crissy Field Center I lead a team of tri-agency volunteers, interns, staff, and public school teachers through DEI trainings. Together we overhauled traditional environmental education programs to reflect the needs of the diverse student population, increased park accessibility for minority communities, and assisted with the development of a nation wide professional network for Environmental Educators of Color. As a federal employee I found my stride as a leader employing Authentic Leadership and Adaptive Leadership when engaging with diverse non-profit organizations, corporate, and international government agencies.
Step Up Step Back is the culmination of all my personal and professional DEI experiences. My DEI coaching process engages a spectrum of DEI and leadership tools to meet the unique needs of each of our clients. Situational Leadership, Responsible Leadership, and Humility Leadership are the foundation for my DEI focused approach to achieve work cultures that embody authentic belonging and thriving communities. Restorative and transformational justice are the pillars of my DEI approach to address power inequity in pursuit of a healthy work environment for long term sustainability and increased accessibility.
I give thanks to my elders and ancestors who came before me for their knowledge, dreams, and sacrifices. To the best of my knowledge I occupy the stolen land of the Awaswas, Amah, Mutsun, and Uypi. As a colonizer I seek to tread lightly on sacred land with reverence, respect, and humility. Please donate and support the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.
In the absence of accurate representation, I decided to be the change I wanted to see in the world.
In 2014 I completed Peace Corps service where I experienced the worst and the best of humanity. I was assigned as an environmental health extensionist in Panama. I lived and worked with the indigenous Ngäbe people in extreme hardship communities with no car access, electricity, nor potable water. Together the indigenous community leaders and I developed culturally sensitive Gender And Diversity programs for; Latinx government employees, illiterate adults, women artisan cooperatives, and indigenous youth. I began as a young professional employing adaptive leadership techniques with nearly 500 indigenous and Latinx Panamanians, but during the most challenging projects I forged my transformative leadership skills.
While serving multiple tours of duty as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service I worked to systematically break down gender, age, ethnic, and language barriers by integrating DEI work into environmental education program. As the education manager at the Crissy Field Center I lead a team of tri-agency volunteers, interns, staff, and public school teachers through DEI trainings. Together we overhauled traditional environmental education programs to reflect the needs of the diverse student population, increased park accessibility for minority communities, and assisted with the development of a nation wide professional network for Environmental Educators of Color. As a federal employee I found my stride as a leader employing Authentic Leadership and Adaptive Leadership when engaging with diverse non-profit organizations, corporate, and international government agencies.
Step Up Step Back is the culmination of all my personal and professional DEI experiences. My DEI coaching process engages a spectrum of DEI and leadership tools to meet the unique needs of each of our clients. Situational Leadership, Responsible Leadership, and Humility Leadership are the foundation for my DEI focused approach to achieve work cultures that embody authentic belonging and thriving communities. Restorative and transformational justice are the pillars of my DEI approach to address power inequity in pursuit of a healthy work environment for long term sustainability and increased accessibility.
I give thanks to my elders and ancestors who came before me for their knowledge, dreams, and sacrifices. To the best of my knowledge I occupy the stolen land of the Awaswas, Amah, Mutsun, and Uypi. As a colonizer I seek to tread lightly on sacred land with reverence, respect, and humility. Please donate and support the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.
Learn about Step Up Step Back's leadership influenced DEI coaching Services.
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