Meet
Leilani Michelle (She/Her)
Leilani Michelle is a co-founder and CEO of Michelle & Sweeney Consulting. Leilani’s background in organizational change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and community outreach and engagement provide her with the education and experience to bring nuanced, creative, and proven methods to foster engagement and inclusion in your organization.
Hello! I studied Ethnic Studies, Organizational Change, and Sociology at Northwestern University. I have worked as a researcher, project manager, and consultant for a variety of teams and organizations in the DEI field, including working on a statewide collaborative across California to implement a DEI program in all public hospitals. Because of my research and professional experience, I have a strong understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Partnering with communities and underserved populations has provided me with the skills to make connections with others and use that connection to foster learning and engagement. I am passionate about improving outcomes for all people, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and your team!
Meet John Sweeney (He/Him)
John Sweeney is a co-founder of Michelle & Sweeney Consulting, and has been invested in DEI work for over 5 years. John excels at the intersection of dialogue and policy, and is the lead Policy Advisor for professional settings.
I helped lead the successful push to change the Northwestern University’s Philosophy Department’s official graduation requirements to become more inclusive of non-white, non-male-centric coursework in 2020. I has also conducted research and assisted in work for organizations such the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy and the Chicago Community Bond Fund. I graduated with Honors from Northwestern University’s African American Studies program, with a published thesis on Black feminist theory.
Meet Thomas Sweeney (He/Him)
Thomas Sweeney is an associate at Michelle & Sweeney Consulting. His background in statistics and applied econometrics allows him to thrive in quantitative analysis and reasoning, enabling more efficient and targeted solutions, as well as the ability to track and manage progress during our partnership.
I have worked for the Federal Reserve for over two years and conducted research and wrote reports on inequality there. I also was selected for the exclusive Wells Scholarship, as well as the Marshall Scholarship, participating in cutting-edge scholarship on poverty. Through the latter I attended and graduated with an M.A. from the London School of Economics.