Dr. Rebecca Gordon (R)
Partner and Chief Transformation Officer
Rebecca Gordon is Partner and Chief Transformation Officer of diSonder Consulting Group, LLC. Rebecca is a psychologist by training, Latinx, identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community, and uses the pronoun R. Rebecca is a seasoned professional who has worked in community agencies and higher education and has experience in both internal and external consulting. Rebecca received masters and doctorate degrees from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois in clinical psychology and educational psychology, counseling, and special education respectively.
Rebecca has led cross-functional teams or committees and developed community relationships to address institution-wide goals for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and anti-violence initiatives within higher education. Rebecca has experience in overseeing job training programs for youth, providing career exploration and job search strategies, consulting with internal units and external organizations, coaching how to more effectively respond to DEI issues, and managing long-term grant awards. As a Title IX Coordinator and Assistant Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at a private college, Rebecca has experience overseeing non-discrimination compliance for students, faculty, and employees for all forms of discrimination. Rebecca also modified policy to reduce barriers students had to navigate who experienced sexual violence or microaggressions based on a protected class.
For organizational change processes, Rebecca has led the development and implementation of needs assessments and the creation of evaluation measures for determining the effectiveness of prevention initiatives. Rebecca has expertise in developing course curriculum, workshops, and training on such topics as implicit bias, microaggressions, bystander intervention, social constructions of identity, anti-racism, sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual violence prevention, and conflict resolution that are interactive and based on research and best-practices. In R’s role as Chief Diversity Officer, Rebecca provides consultation to the College President and advises the C-suite.
Sue Kane (she/her/hers)
Partner and Chief Strategy Officer
Sue Kane is Partner and Chief Strategy Officer of diSonder Consulting Group, LLC. Sue received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from North Central College in nonprofit management and leadership and psychology respectively. With over 20 years of experience in the field of diversity and inclusion, Sue is a skilled strategic planner, relationship builder, and dialogue facilitator who is passionate about empowering organizations to achieve their diversity and inclusion goals. Sue’s knowledge and expertise help organizations create customized strategies to move the organization forward on their diversity and inclusion journey. Sue identifies as a member of the Latinx community.
Sue became actively engaged in diversity, equity and inclusion work while holding senior positions within higher education. In her role as a collegiate athletic administrator, Sue provided strategic direction and leadership, including research to identify best and emerging practices that advance diversity and inclusion. She takes great pride in the impact she had in empowering girls and women through athletics participation and coaching. Sue’s experience spans employee recruitment practices, employee resource groups, equity audits, policy and procedure review, compliance, dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution, community learning, and executive coaching.
Sue believes in serving her local community and is actively involved in the local business landscape. Sue is Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and a member of the Women in Business Committee with the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Valla Aguilar (she/her/hers)
Chief Brand Officer
Valla Aguilar is Chief Brand Officer of diSonder Consulting Group, LLC. With more than 20 years’ experience, she has helped both for profit and non-profit organizations across a variety of industries develop and implement plans to increase visibility, streamline communications and enhance their brands. She has served in marketing communications and branding leadership roles and enjoys creating compelling and innovative campaigns that bridge the gap between where companies are and where they want to be. Valla believes how a company approaches inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging has a huge impact on how the brand is viewed by potential clients, current employees and prospective talent and that the most authentic brands are rooted in effective and efficient IDEAB practices.
Valla earned her bachelor’s degree in international business and Spanish from North Central College and her M.B.A. from DePaul University. As a member of a multi-racial family and mother to two neurodivergent children, she is passionate about helping others understand and experience a world where individuals have many differences and abilities.
Jacob Mueller (he/him/his)
Consultant
Jacob (Jay) Mueller is an affiliate consultant of diSonder Consulting Group, LLC. Jay has devoted 29 years to higher education administration at the intersections of programming, operations, and inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility and belonging. He is a certified mediator and has a master’s in education with concentrations in youth development and urban education. He also trained at the University of Michigan’s Program on Intergroup Relations enhancing his facilitation skills and change management expertise. Jay’s extensive experience with community collaboration and as the primary administrator for University of Illinois Chicago’s eight Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change has contributed to his facility for building cross-functional teams and influencing systemic change.
In 2021 he implemented the opening of two University of Illinois Chicago community centers in the Auburn Gresham and North Lawndale neighborhoods in Chicago. Based on 5 pillars of sustainability, the centers are focused on Education, Healthcare, Workforce Development, Arts and Culture, and Climate Justice with the overarching goal of improving health and well-being through community-centered collaborations and equity-based interventions. A self-described change agent, Jay approaches the work and all stakeholders with respect, compassion, and a commitment to creative solutions and shared accountability.
Dr. Charu Thakral (she/her/hers)
Consultant
Dr. Charu Thakral is an affiliate consultant at diSonder Consulting Group, LLC. Dr. Thakral is the Executive Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Engagement and has been with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Office of Diversity since its founding. She has served in a number of leadership positions at UIC, including Interim Vice Provost & Associate Chancellor twice. Dr. Thakral oversees diversity education across the campus, including the development of workshops and trainings for students, faculty, and staff.
In 2009, she launched the UIC Dialogue Initiative in which she developed credit-bearing courses and workshops designed to analyze and understand social conflict, intergroup relations, and issues of diversity and social justice. In this capacity, she has pioneered innovative ways to integrate these educational opportunities within the humanities, social science, and health science disciplines.
Dr. Thakral is currently serving in leadership roles on several grant funded projects awarded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Science Foundation where she is developing professional development programs for faculty focused on inclusive pedagogical practices.
Dr. Thakral’s training as a counseling psychologist specializing in multicultural theory and competence and her significant contributions to society have been recognized through Loyola University’s School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Illinois Chicago’s Award of Merit and the Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence Award. She has consulted with a number of community organizations including the Obama Foundation’s Community Leadership Corporation, the United States Department of Agriculture, Benet Academy, and the Division of Specialized Care for Children at the University of IL Chicago.