Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold

Philosophy

The priority of my work is to ensure individuals have productive discomfort, allowing them to identify, unlearn, and relearn thought patterns and actions that create the best places for people to work.

I work at the nexus of equity, inclusion, belonging, strategic planning, and change management for individuals and the organizations within which they find themselves.

Experience

Dr. Gold has 27 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategic planning, facilitation, Multicultural & Antiracist Organizational Development, Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation, Truth & Racial Healing Circles™, project management, and change management. Dr. Gold most recently served as Assistant Provost for Diversity & Inclusion at Towson University (TU) and a Professorial Lecturer at The George Washington University. As Assistant Provost for Diversity & Inclusion, her primary goal was to support the Division of Academic Affairs by attracting, advancing, and retaining diverse staff, faculty, and academic librarians. Within the role, Dr. Gold served as a Train-the-Trainer for difficult dialogues using the University of Michigan’s racial reconciliation model.

Education and Certifications

• Doctor of Education (The George Washington University)
• Master of Divinity (Eastern Mennonite University)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (James Madison University)
• Master of Social Impact Strategy (in progress, University of Pennsylvania)
• Certified Intergroup Dialogue Facilitator
• Mental Health First Aid Certification
• Truth and Racial Healing Institute Leader
• Bank of America Women in Entrepreneurship at Cornell University
• Tory Burch Foundation Fellow
• SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Program

On a Personal Note

Dr. Gold is originally from Southern Virginia and currently lives in Maryland with her two sons. She enjoys fostering Trai’s love of fine arts (theatre, video production, and art) and Kendrick’s love of sport (lacrosse, football, and basketball). In her “spare time,” she’s a triathlete, having completed four Ironman 70.3 races.