MY STORY
Waleska Lugo-DeJesús is the is the Chief Equity Officer (CEO) of Inclusive Strategies, an award-winning and nationally certified Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging facilitator dedicated to creating meaningful social change through a human-centered, racial healing approach. With over twenty years of experience, she has helped thousands of organizations in elevating consciousness about the causes and effects of racial divisiveness to build organizational capacity. She uses the four forms of racism: Internalized, interpersonal, institutional, and structural racism as the foundation to educate on the intersectionality of systems of oppression with the goal of enhancing the development of people and places.
Waleska’s commitment extends beyond her professional endeavors, she continues to inspire and empower individuals and organizations in their journey towards inclusivity and equity. She understands that healing is not only about addressing past traumas but also about creating spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. Uplifting black, brown and all communities in solidarity is a crucial aspect of Waleska’s mission.
Recognizing the shared experiences, she works to challenge institutions that have perpetuated division and inequity. By fostering collaboration, dialogue, and understanding, Waleska aims to build bridges and dismantle the barriers to create a strong collective voice that advocates and promotes reconciliation, paving the way for a more harmonious and united society.
Civic Engagement
- Springfield Art, Culture & Humanities Commissioner and Vice President
- contributing to the vitality of the Commonwealth.
- Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition - Founding Board member of the intergenerational advocacy group.
- Community Music School of Springfield
- Board Member and Chair of Governance.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisor to: Salsa Sal Pa Fuera, Springfield Puerto Rican Parade and Springfield Pride Parade.
Industry partners include:
Arts | Breweries | Corporate | Culture & Humanities | Disabilities support agencies | Education | Fine Arts | Foundation | Global Impact organization | Healthcare | Higher Education | Healthcare Education | Leadership Council | Libraries Media Membership agencies Municipal Government Non-profit Public Health | Social Justice Organizations | Societies | Speaker Bureaus | Workforce Development and more…
Waleska Lugo-DeJesús
Equalist | Activist | Social Impact Strategist (she/her/ella)
Pronunciation WAH-le-ska LOO-goh-DAY-hay-SOOS
Honors & Achievements:
- 2023 Grand Marshal, Springfield Puerto Rican Parade.
- 2023 Women on the Vanguard for “Vision of Empowering People to Create their own Solutions to Conflict.”
- 2021 Latinx Amplifier for being a quiet disruptor of social change.
- 2019 Latinx Excellence on the Hill honoring distinguished career of Social Justice by the MA Black & Latino Legislative Caucus.
- 2019 Service Hero Award by Project 351 for helping build a just, inclusive, and united global community.
- 2018 Community Leadership Award by the Massachusetts Public Health Association.
- 2018 Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Warrior Award by San Juan Mayor of Puerto Rico.
- 2018 100 Women of Color Award by music entertainment and tv executive June Archer.
- 2017 Ruth M. Batson Advocate of the Year Award by the Providers Council in Boston for excellence and advocacy.
- 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Award for Excellence in Race Relations.
- 2016 Outstanding Champion of Diversity, National Philanthropy Day by the Assoc. of Fundraising Professionals.
- 2016 Women Trailblazer and Trendsetters Award by Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce.
- 2013 First One Awardee by uAspire.
- 2012 Love Thy Neighbor Lifetime Achievement Award by New Creation Discipleship Ministries.
- 2012 40 Under 40 Community Award by Business West.
- 2012 Visionary Women of Excellence Award by National online Digital Media Unity First.
- 2012 Biltmore’s Who’s Who in Higher Education for promoting Multicultural Affairs.
- 2009
Latina Women in Leadership Role
by Puerto Rico Cultural Center.
Speaker, Conference, Panel and more...
2024 Annual Pioneer Valley Women’s Conference
May 2024
Hosted by: She’s Local
Marriott Springfield, Springfield, MA
Panelist: Rising Strong: Navigating Adversity with Resilience.
2023 Annual Western Mass Eldercare Conference
June 2023
Hosted by: JGS Lifecare
Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA
Keynote: Cultural Humility: Moving beyond the principles and into authentic practice.
2023 Physician Leadership Academy
February 2023
Hosted by UMass Chan Medical School - Baystate Health
Delaney House, Holyoke, MA
Speaker: Understanding our Unconscious Biases and the Impact on our leadership style.
2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee May 2022
May 2022
Hosted: May Institute, Autism School, and Services Virtual Webinar, Statewide & National offices Speaker: Eliminating the interpersonal, institutional, and structural Stigma associated with Mental Health.
2021 7th. Annual | My Beloved Springfield
March, 2021
Hosted by: Springfield Public Library
Virtual webinar, Springfield, MA
Leadership Panelist - Resilience: How we Recover and Transform (Women's History Month)
2021 Eleventh Annual | Lift Every Voice Lecture Series
March 2021
Hosted by: Spring of Hope Church of God in Christ
Virtual Webinar, Springfield, MA
Mistress of Ceremony – Forging Freedom: Bold Black Women in History with American Historian, Writer and President of the African American Intellectual History Society Doctor Keisha Blain
2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Citywide Celebration
January 2021
Hosted by: Martin Luther King Family Services
Virtual Webinar, Springfield, MA
Keynote Reflection: “The Dream is Calling You”
2019 Social Values in Action: Building Equitable & Sustainable Cities
September 2019
Hosted by: Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA
Panelist: Imagining Seattle book synergies within my local work in the fields of social justice, sustainability, creativity, and equity.
2019 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference: Catalyst 21st Century Discourse and Engagement on Race
June 2019
Hosted by: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams, MA
Plenary: “Embedding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into Higher Education Strategies”
2018 TEDx Springfield
October 2018
Hosted by: MassMutual Life Insurance Springfield, Massachusetts
TEDx Speaker: “Board Diversity: a Seat at the Table”
2018 Professional Development
September 2018
Hosted by: Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts
Delaney House, Holyoke, MA
Keynote Speaker: “Boardroom Diversity: A Seat at the Table”
2018 Massachusetts Public Health Association Annual Awards Breakfast
June 2018
Hosted by: Massachusetts Public Health Association The State Room, Boston, MA
Speaker: “Honoring Health Equity Champions”
2018 YMCA of Greater Boston
June 2018
Hosted by: YMCA Emerging Multicultural Leadership Experience Springfield College, Springfield, MA
Keynote Speaker: “Inspiring succession planning - a Seat at the Table”
2016 Annual Desmond Tutu Public Health Lecture
April 2016
Hosted by: American International College
Griswold Theatre, Springfield, MA
Keynote Speaker: “Building Healthier Communities through Racial Healing”
10th Anniversary Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference
April 2016
Hosted by: Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination
Sheraton Hotel, Springfield, MA
Panelist: “The Pursuit of Racial Equality and Healing”
2015 Dismantling Health Inequity: Leaders Building Power and Organizing for Justice
Nov. 2015
Hosted by Massachusetts Public Health Association Expo DCU Center, Worcester, MA
Panelist: “Visionaries Organizing for Places and Justice”
2014 Multigenerational Panel
April 2014
Hosted by Baystate Health
Whitney Avenue Conference Room, Holyoke MA
Panelist: Leveraging 4 Generations in the Workplace (webinar) My Focus: “Generation X”
2014 Diversity and Inclusion Conference hosted by Baystate Health
Sept. 2014
MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA
Facilitator: “Board Responsibility around Diversity & Inclusion”
2013 Diversity and Inclusion Conference
Sept. 2013
Hosted by Baystate Health MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA
Panelist: “A Diversity Champions’ Toolbox: Tools for Reaching the Tipping Point”
2012 Stedman Graham Motivational Workshop for Women in honor of March Women's History
March 2012
Hosted by UnityFirst.com, a Multimedia marketing and media source that covers national and regional issues relating to diversity and inclusion.
Sponsored by Bay Path College at Monarch Place, Springfield, MA
Panelist: “Diversity & Inclusion Model in Higher Education”
2009 Third Annual Next Level Professional Development Conference
Oct.2009
2009 Third Annual Next Level Professional Development Conference
For Women of Color
Baystate Health, Springfield, MA
Panelist: “A View from the Top”
“In diversity, we find strength; in acceptance, we find unity. Embracing the LGBTQIA+ community is not just a choice – it’s a celebration of love, authenticity, and equity.”
- Waleska Lugo-DeJesús
Displaying my digital safe space pride image in support of Pride Parade Springfield is a visible declaration of solidarity and allyship. It sends a powerful message of inclusivity, acceptance, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community. By proudly showcasing this badge, I aim to create a welcoming and affirming space for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a symbol of my commitment to fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and celebration of diversity.
#SafeSpaceSpringfield
