Arlene brings her whole self to this interview. It's reflective, unapologetic & filled with joy and insightful perspectives. Listen to how we uplift collective collaboration, how to bring inclusivity and wellness to workspaces, and foster true transformation. This episode is filled with so many informative gems around hurt, resilience, and healing!
About Arlene:
Arlene Vassell (she/her/hers) is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer, facilitator and thought leader. She is the Founding Director for the TooREL Institute for Social Change, an organization she launched in 2023, after nearly three decades of leadership in the non-profit sector.
Arlene has devoted her entire career to ending and preventing gender-based violence, disrupting systems of inequality and oppression, promoting leadership advancement of people of color, and developing equity-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant programming. Her “formal” advocacy work
began in Virginia at the YWCA Women’s Advocacy Program. She later served in various leadership roles at the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance (VSDVAA), the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV), and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV).
Arlene has led and developed dozens of national campaigns, programs, and initiatives intended to prevent gender-based violence, shift organizational cultures, and accelerate mindset and behavior change across all levels of the social ecological model. She has delivered thousands of hours of trainings
and capacity building support to government agencies, nonprofits, coalitions, and community-based organizations on topics related to creating inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environments for both survivors and advocates.
In addition to her advocacy work, Arlene is a certified transformational coach, using her lived experiences and expertise to help individuals and organizations navigate personal and systemic transformation—empowering individuals to unlock their full potential, overcome challenges, and create meaningful, sustainable change in their lives and communities.
Most importantly, Arlene is a proud immigrant from Jamaica, a mother, an Auntie to many, a five-time self-published author, a joy seeker, and a hope dealer.
She brings her core values of faith, integrity, justice, joy, authenticity, and community into everything she does—creating spaces where people feel seen, empowered, and inspired to navigate life with confidence, boldness, intentionality, purpose, and authenticity.
Connect with Arlene:
Email: avassell@toorelinstitute.org
TooREL: https://www.toorelinstitute.org/
ACV Coaching & Consulting: https://arlenecvassell.com/
Host
Joyce Kyles
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