Principal

• May 2017 - Present

MindOpen Learning Strategies (MOLS) provides truly engaging, transformative learning experiences for individuals, groups, and organizations working toward social justice goals. MOLS specializes in times when employees need to learn new ways to work-- whether it's adopting evidence-based practices, applying an equity lens, capturing meaningful metrics, or any of the countless ways in which success depends on constant readiness for change while keeping a clear mission-driven vision. MindOpen's Principal and Founder, Elizabeth Speck, knows firsthand that well-timed transformative learning leads to better client services and less burnout among staff. With 25 years of direct service, management, and capacity-building experience in New York City's complex human service systems, Elizabeth has adapted to many program and policy changes, broken down systems silos, and built a network of leaders committed to moving beyond the status quo. Elizabeth started her career as a Teaching Artist and Drama Therapist within psychiatric hospitals and prisons, determined to enhance the humanity of dehumanizing systems. This sparked a passion for helping human service organizations become healthier places to work, leading to earning a Ph.D. in Organizational Development. Services Provided: (if you don't see what you're looking for, please ask) Career Development Coaching for future and current social justice leaders Clinical and Consultative Supervision (individual and group) Curriculum Development Leadership Program Development Stakeholder Meeting Facilitation Program Evaluation Program Performance Management Programmatic Policy Development New Program Development Project Management Strategic Planning Facilitation Team Retreats Customized Training Topics Show less

Adjunct Professor

• Aug 2020 - Present

Introduction to Social Policy, Department of Sociology Introduction to Social Policy, Department of Sociology

Social Innovation Fellow

• Aug 2017 - Present

Academic Lecturer and Mentor in Civic Engagement

• 2006 - Present

I greatly enjoy engaging undergrad and grad students in critical examination of social change topics, and supporting their career development as change agents. Recent speaking invitations have come from the CUNY system, Brooklyn College, the New School, and Fielding Graduate University. I greatly enjoy engaging undergrad and grad students in critical examination of social change topics, and supporting their career development as change agents. Recent speaking invitations have come from the CUNY system, Brooklyn College, the New School, and Fielding Graduate University.

Consultant to the Steering Committee

• Dec 2017 - Jun 2019

Social Innovation Fellow

• 2017 - 2019

Member, Board Of Directors

• 2016 - 2018

Chief Learning Officer

• Feb 2016 - Mar 2017

WPTI's mission is to improve the effectiveness of people, programs, and organizations that are committed to generating pathways out of poverty through employment. WPTI has served thousands of practitioners and leaders from over 400 programs and organizations that collectively link over 500,000 low-income jobseekers and workers to opportunities for living wage employment and career pathways. As WPTI's first Chief Learning Officer, charged with leading the continual growth and innovation of our transformative learning services so that our partners in government, community organizations, and business are equipped to tackle the urgent challenge of generating pathways out of poverty through quality training programs and good jobs. Show less

Senior Training Director

• Jun 2012 - Feb 2016

Safe Horizon is the largest provider of services to victims of violence and abuse in the U.S., with a wide array of programs throughout New York City. The Senior Director develops and deploys resources to continually enhance program staff effectiveness. Strategic priorities include maximizing client-centered practice; standardizing key practice elements within and across programs; and supporting supervisors and managers to implement quality supervision practices that forward organizational change goals. In this role, I assess learning needs across all program areas; collaborate with program leadership to establish training priorities; develop and deliver curricula in the classroom and via technology; and evaluate the effectiveness of our learning programs. Show less

Independent Consultant

• 2003 - 2012

Professional development and customized technical assistance. Services include curriculum design; training delivery; meeting facilitation; performance coaching; project management; and writing support for grants, proposals, and reports. Clients have included over 15 nonprofit human service organizations and professional associations in NYC area. Professional development and customized technical assistance. Services include curriculum design; training delivery; meeting facilitation; performance coaching; project management; and writing support for grants, proposals, and reports. Clients have included over 15 nonprofit human service organizations and professional associations in NYC area.

Senior Consultant/Trainer

• 2005 - 2011

Headed collaborative pilot project between 4 non-profit agencies, implementing an innovative service model to help repeatedly homeless families move from NYC DHS shelters to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Managed a statewide auditing project to enhance service quality in mental health supportive housing throughout Connecticut. Led technical assistance for mental health staff in New York State prisons, to maximize successful reentry for inmates with serious mental illness. Piloted Wellness Self-Management, an evidence-based curriculum for managing mental health, with women incarcerated at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Developed and delivered curricula locally and nationally on dozens of timely topics for human services staff of all levels, including Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Staff-to-Staff Cultural Competency, Understanding Trauma, Overview of Psychiatric Disorders, Overview of Psychotropic Medications, etc. Show less

Facilitator/Performer/Clinical Supervisor

• 2002 - 2007

Member of playback theatre troupe, a community-building improvisational form of theatre in which audience members are invited to share stories that are instantly enacted by the company. Performed and facilitated in a range of settings, including prisons, medical facilities, schools and universities, and professional conferences and staff development events. Member of playback theatre troupe, a community-building improvisational form of theatre in which audience members are invited to share stories that are instantly enacted by the company. Performed and facilitated in a range of settings, including prisons, medical facilities, schools and universities, and professional conferences and staff development events.

Program Director

• 2002 - 2005

Started holistic after-school program serving 200 elementary students and their families on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Developed non-stigmatizing mental health support model utilizing creative arts therapies. Started holistic after-school program serving 200 elementary students and their families on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Developed non-stigmatizing mental health support model utilizing creative arts therapies.

Psychotherapist

• 1999 - 2004

Part-time clinic and contract work, specializing in areas of trauma and addiction. Part-time clinic and contract work, specializing in areas of trauma and addiction.

Director of Foster Parent Development

• 1999 - 2001

Responsible for recruitment, training, and licensure of over 300 foster boarding homes, and oversight of emergency placements of children into foster care. Helped guide agency through mandated transition to family-to-family community based foster care model. Responsible for recruitment, training, and licensure of over 300 foster boarding homes, and oversight of emergency placements of children into foster care. Helped guide agency through mandated transition to family-to-family community based foster care model.

Director of Therapeutic Activities

• 1998 - 1999

Established new department in day treatment center for adults living with HIV and AIDS. Integrated credentialed creative arts therapists into treatment team. Established new department in day treatment center for adults living with HIV and AIDS. Integrated credentialed creative arts therapists into treatment team.

Vocational Trainer

• 1996 - 1996

Activities Coordinator, Travelers Hotel

• 1993 - 1996

Group Worker, The Leadership Organization for Teens

• 1992 - 1993