SOULFILLING WORK STARTS WITH AN EQUITABLE WORKPLACE

I Started Elevating Access To Turn Barriers Into Pathways

— because we all deserve to thrive while doing work that transforms

Dr. Hayley Haywood woman of color career coach and consultant, speaking on a diversity equity and inclusion panel hosted by the Worcester Business Journal. Representing Elevating Access.
Black woman consulting client with smile, red straight hair and white dress. She is a consulting client who attended a diversity equity and inclusion training by Dr. Hayley Haywood of Elevating Access.

"Following Dr. Haywood’s session, attendees shared that they appreciated that the session was inclusive of all employees througout our organization.

We all found the session inspiring and filled with practical tips on how to be a better ally in the workplace. The pairing sessions where participants could connect and share their stories, were particularly well-received and added value to the overall experience. Overall, the session was impactful and well-received and we hope to partner again in the future!"

Shannel Harvey, Recruiter & Belonging Week Co-Lead, Omada Health

Women of color Black woman professionals at a facilitated meeting, discussing the need for a coach like Dr. Hayley Haywood of Elevating Access to create equity in the workplace through consulting and holistic coaching.

Only 23% Of Employees Consider Themselves To Be Engaged In The Workplace

What’s worse, Black professionals and professionals of color feel like outsiders at work.

Is it any wonder that employees are quitting more than ever before? What reasons are there to stay?

To keep feeling exhausted, unhappy, overworked and underpaid — like you’re hitting a brick wall in your career?

All while operating in predominantly white spaces that don’t leave space for you to be your authentic self?

No one should have to put up with that.

There’s a Better Way For Us to Collaborate Lead Support Thrive

I spent 15 years of my career advocating for college students who had more than enough talent, brains, and drive — but were used and abused by institutions that were supposed to support them.

Instead, I became the go-to resource underrepresented students and employees could rely on — because they weren’t getting it anywhere else.  Eventually, allies and senior leaders started coming to me too – for advice on how to lead more impactfully, with equity at the core.

From College to Corporate, Identity-Conscious Support Is Severely Lacking

I’ve participated in countless HR trainings, programs, and professional development conferences, but none of them fully acknowledged how things are different when you’re a person of color with a diversity of intersecting identities.

The advice always felt off. The solutions were incomplete. And our ignored needs remained unmet.

After years of responding through direct, on-the-ground support, I knew I needed to create something to fill the gap.

Dr. Hayley Haywood surrounded by Black, Latina, and Asian American students of color. Showing the support Elevating Access offers for college to career transition and improving college outcomes through career coaching, consulting, community building

I decided to build on my research, lived experiences, and professional programming to create an identity-conscious business of my own.

Helping institutions and mission-driven employers design experiences that support diverse talent at all stages of their careers.

Building equitable pathways to soulfilling work.

The kind of work that makes everyone (not just the privileged few):

✓ Excited for Mondays, instead of dreading micro aggressions

✓ Positioned and supported to do the job they were hired for

✓ Find belonging at the lunch and conference table

✓ Feel fulfilled, not drained, by their work

  • $30k

    Coaching clients receive an average $30,500 salary increase

  • 40+

    I’ve worked with over 40 mission-driven employers including NASA, Northeastern University, and One Worcester

  • 900+

    Professionals served

  • 1000s

    Of meetings, trainings, and workshops hosted

Dr. Hayley Haywood, a woman of color Black biracial founder of Elevating Access, career coach and consultant smiling at the camera in front of pointillism style image of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to showcase women's empowerment.

I help my clients amplify their brag-worthy accomplishments. For those doing their 'due diligence' here are a few of mine:

Some Bookmarks from My Journey

Education: Psychology Degree, Clark University | Masters in Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland College Park | Doctorate in Organizational Change & Leadership, University of Southern California

Experience: 15 years leading nonprofits supporting student success, onboarding, leadership initiatives, employee resource groups, organizational learning, and more

Awards Won: President’s Achievement Award for Inclusive Excellence | Worcester Business Journal 40 under 40 | Phi Beta Kappa | Summa Cum Laude | McNair Scholar

Featured In: New York Times | Inside Higher Ed | CareerConnectors.Org | HigherEdJobs.Com

But my best accomplishments are the lives I’ve helped to transform through coaching, consulting, and program creation.

My Unique Expertise Means I Have A Unique Approach

Where organizational management meets imaginative, heart-centered leadership and everything is fully catered to your needs

  • Dream

    Stop settling for the status quo. Once we identify your vision and assess the barriers keeping you from achieving it, it’s time to identify steps toward a more impactful, more aligned reality.

  • Design

    Together, we’ll develop custom action plans and tailored support that will help you achieve these goals.

  • Do

    We’ll create a roadmap for implementation, and I’ll support you as you take each step. Select consulting packages include “done for you” services, too.

"What Dr. Hayley did for us exceeded our expectations …

… and actually took it in a direction more in line with what we needed than with what I articulated — and thank God that she did that. Almost instantaneously after the initial work of collecting testimonials, giving us strategies, directions for next steps, and how we can follow through for our staff, things began to improve. Dr. Haywood was very intentional about ensuring that we had set up in place all of the things to follow through, so that our staff could trust us. (That we) heard them, understood them, and (took) into account their very real concerns and frustrations. Dr. Hayley was so hands on. She did her research, and she catered her services with the uniqueness and the specificity of our organization, and what we needed. I look forward to proactively continuing to work with her so that we can be sure, as leaders of our organization, that we’re setting ourselves and our team up for optimal success.”

Armanthia Duncan
Deputy Director at Harvard Youth Scholars

Elevating Access Values

Identity-Consciousness

Honoring the unique context that each client is navigating, given power dynamics, identity-based strengths, and team needs.

Evolution

Ongoing learning to inform the continuous development of our team, our offerings and our clients.

Dreaming

Daring to imagine a world beyond the present, inclusive of opportunity, freedom, and connectedness.

Integrity

A personal and organizational commitment to align words with actions and move with intention.

Justice

Building toward a world where we all have the freedom to live, love, and work in ways that honor our full identities.

Intentional Community

Purposeful, inclusive practices to ensure the people we work with are cared for, celebrated, and seen.

Dr. Hayley Haywood Black biracial woman of color career coach and consultant receiving award from Worcester Massachusetts Business Journal 40 Under 40 through Elevating Access. Standing on stage with certificates and a plaque held by two men in suits

Featured in

  • Worcester Business Journal

  • Inside Higher Ed

  • DEI after 5 podcast

  • Varying Viewpoints Podcast

  • Alumni Career Services Network Conference

  • Leadership Educators Institute

  • National Conference on Race & Ethnicity

Building a New World That Works

It’s time to create the workplace of the future. And that starts with equity.

Imagine every employee feeling like they belong, falling in love with the mission again, and confidently collaborating with co-workers as they elevate through promotions, transforming the community around them.

This is the kind of impact you can experience after working with me. Ready for positive change?

Black woman sitting on bed with her laptop, smiling joining community gathering space for women of color professionals seeking holistic career coaching and community, led by Elevating Access.

The Community Gathering Space

BUILD INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY WITH OTHER WOMEN OF COLOR

A free monthly virtual gathering for women professionals of color who want sisterhood, affirmation, opportunities and support.