Who we are

Peoplism consultants are subject matter experts with deep experience in HR, learning and development, psychology, change management and data science.

Woman with headphones on looking at a large screen of complex data.

Data-driven

Our programs are based on peer-reviewed research, as well actionable insights from practitioners in the field. We measure starting points and track progress so you can see results from your efforts. And our expert consultants do the heavy-lifting to help you actually make sense of your data.

Two men talking at a computer workstation.

Human-centered

There’s a wide gap between knowing what needs to get done and actually motivating human beings to do it. We leverage our experience in clinical psychology to break down barriers, guide difficult conversations, and motivate people to make real changes.

Peoplism logo (a bullseye)

Impact first

You can certainly keep yourself busy with a wide range of DEIB efforts, but are they actually making a difference? We want to ensure the answer is yes. That means we don’t sell services shown to have little impact (hello one-off trainings), and that we challenge our clients to make meaningful change.

Meet the team

Photo of Danielle Little

Danielle Little

Director

Connect

Danielle comes to Peoplism with extensive experience using her research and analytic skills to help expand college access programming to underserved populations. Her professional background combines her love of data with her deep commitment to creating equitable and just organizations. She is thrilled to help Peoplism's clients create more inclusive and successful companies. Danielle holds a M.A. in Sociology from UCLA.

🦉 Night or day?

Day! I’m a morning bird through and through. Fun story, I’m the youngest of five and would impatiently wait for my older sisters to wake up on the weekends to hang out with me.

🆕 What is something new you dream of trying/learning?

I’m a life-long learner so my list is long. I’m currently learning how to invest in great companies.

🍪 What is a bad habit of yours that you’ve tried forever to get rid of?

My sweet tooth! I may or may not be eating a cookie as I write this...


Photo of Joshua de Leon

Josh De Leon

Senior Consultant

Connect

Josh is a DEIB facilitator and change agent, with a background working across organizations and industries to build community, create more equitable systems, and center the lived experiences of marginalized groups. Josh has led DEIB workshops for clients across the world, convened and collaborated with government executives on management and human capital issues, and worked extensively with community-based organizations and leaders. Prior to Peoplism, Josh managed projects and research reports and designed DEIB programs for a good governance nonprofit, and coordinated programs at a human rights NGO. He has a master's in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University with an emphasis in identity, art, and social movements.

🆕 What is something new you dream of trying/learning?

Another creative arts skill. When I was in school, I played music, acted a little, and wrote constantly - I even minored in creative writing and poetry. But as I entered my professional career, I found less and less time to explore new artistic endeavors, and I would like to recommit to carving out space for my own creative expression.

🌎 What is your favorite trip of all time?

Before grad school, I taught in Tokyo, Japan, and spent my extended breaks traveling through Asia. I was able to visit Korea, Vietnam, and several Japanese cities in one summer - meeting up with friends who were traveling and making new ones.

😴 How do you rejuvenate yourself, or invest in self-care?

I believe strongly in the importance of collective care - that while a nice meal or a day off can help in the short term, nurturing a support system and healing in community helps build and sustain in the long run.

Photo of Liz Kofman-Burns

Liz Kofman-Burns, Ph.D.

Co-founder

Connect

Liz is passionate about helping companies bridge the gap between academic research and reality. She is a sociologist with over a decade of experience studying and implementing high-impact DEIB solutions; her research has appeared in Psychological Inquiry, Behavioral Scientist, and Journal of Work & Occupations among others. Previously, she was Head of Client Success at Talent Sonar, a SaaS hiring platform. Liz has a Ph.D. in Sociology from UCLA.

🦉 Night or day?

Day! I’d like to blame my early bedtime on having young kids but the truth is I’ve always struggled to stay up past 10 pm.

🌎 What is your favorite trip of all-time?

Istanbul. The food, the hammams, the architecture...it's magical.

🎓 What is something new you dream of learning?

I'm currently living in Stockholm, Sweden and I'd love to actually learn to speak Swedish. It's hard when everyone's English is so good though!



Photo of Amber Madison

Amber Madison, LMHC

Co-founder

Amber is a licensed therapist, award-winning lecturer, and nationally noted author. Her thought-leadership has been featured everywhere from The Today Show to MTV to NPR as well as in FastCompany, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and many more. She's passionate about leveraging her knowledge of psychology and communications to implement DEIB solutions that work for humans. She has a M.A. in counseling psychology from NYU.

🦉 Night or day?

Night all the way. If I had my way I would never go to sleep before midnight, and living in NYC I used to love summer nights staying out until sunrise. Now, as the parent of two small kids, I still see a lot of sunrise, but it's at the beginning—rather than end—of my day.

💪 What is a cool non-work related skill that you have?

Estimation. Need to know how many jellybeans are in that jar? I'm your gal.

😱 Most outsized fear?

Raw chicken. Every time I handle chicken I feel like I (and my kitchen) need a decontamination shower.


Photo of Genevieve McGahey

Genevieve McGahey

Senior Consultant

Connect

Genevieve is creative and people-focused, leveraging her background in project management and client success to build relationships and to translate data into positive action. Genevieve has worked extensively in a diverse set of fields including education, leadership training, and the arts. Genevieve uses her warm, engaging communication style to advocate for the creation of equitable, sustainable workplaces and communities. She holds a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy and has completed award-winning research on gender bias in classical music. In her free time, she appears frequently as a vocalist in the Washington, DC area.

🦉 Night or day?
Night! I definitely stay up late if left to my own devices, though I also need a lot of sleep to function, so...it's tough out there. That said, when I do manage to be awake early enough to see a sunrise, it can be pretty magical!

🆕 What is something new you dream of trying/learning?

I'm a big admirer of dance: it's consistently on my list to explore that more and maybe take a class!

💬 What is your all-time favorite quote?
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." -- Maya Angelou

Photo of Nancy Yuen

Nancy Yuen, Ph.D.

Manager

Nancy loves helping institutions be more inclusive. She is a sociologist with two decades of experience in identifying and remedying inequality in the entertainment industry and higher education. She is the author of Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism and is a guest writer at CNN, Elle, Los Angeles Times, NBC, Newsweek and Vanity Fair. She has appeared on PBS, NPR, MSNBC, BBC World, and Dr. Phil. Previously, Nancy was an award-winning professor and Chair of the Sociology department at Biola University. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from UCLA.

🎤 What is your go-to karaoke song?

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.

👩‍🍳What’s one thing you cook well?

I make a mean charcuterie board.

💪 What is a cool non-work related skill that you have?

I can crochet an infinity scarf in under 1/2 hour.





Photo of Sofie Leon

Sofie Leon

Manager

Sofie is passionate about creating spaces where people can show up as their full, authentic selves. She values courageous integrity and loves to help people see how DEIB aligns with their own work. Sofie has a STEM educational background with a PhD in civil engineering from the University of Illinois. As a woman of color in male-dominated field, she discovered the restorative power of community and learned that collective solidarity and advocacy could result in systemic change. She pivoted to a career in DEIB and has a decade of experience creating and implementing DEIB initiatives in higher education institutions.

💪 What is a cool non-work related skill that you have?

I'm pretty handy and love DIY projects around the house. I'm currently into frugal building—using scrap wood and extra materials I have laying around to build stuff!


🗝️ What do you think is the key to it all?

Empathy and compassion.


😱 Most outsized fear?

Giant octopus. I don't know why or where this fear comes from, but the idea of encountering a giant octopus in the wild is absolutely terrifying... while almost 100% guaranteed to never happen.

Photo of Erick Kapp

Erick Kapp

Client Relationships