100
years of experience
79
organizations
10
industries
6
continents
Dr. Carrie Spell-Hansson
CEO
Too few of us are lucky enough to discover a career we are passionate about and where we can make a difference in the lives we touch. Dr. Carrie Spell-Hansson found that sweet spot over thirty years ago as a thought leader, researcher, educator and trusted advisor in organizational development; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and coaching. She founded The Folke Institute (TFI) in 2004 to expand the vision by creating a team to further the impactful work she was doing with higher education, non-profit organizations, and corporations and with individuals.
​
While Carrie has easily adapted to the virtual learning environment, she also looks forward to resuming in-person keynote engagements and facilitating training programs throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean.
​
Carrie enjoys being a facilitator, a coach, and speaker at the same time, she also prepares delicious healthy well-balanced meals. She creates recipes inspired by her extensive knowledge of health and wellness and international travel. She finds her balance in life through her spiritual practices which include meditation, exercise and yoga and the philosophical teaching of Buddhism that she shared with her late husband Gunnar, the big-hearted and generous Swede who gave her unconditional love.
​
Carrie’s commitment is to help others realize their potential to reach their goals and contribute to a more inclusive world.
Kat Yamamoto-Calvo
Chief Operating Officer
Kat is responsible for overseeing many of TFI's daily activities, directing and coordinating actions across the organization. She oversees the various departments in the business, and locates areas for improvement.
​
She has worked in Asia and North America across various industries including broadcasting, communications, education, hospitality, and manufacturing. Kat also had the privilege of serving military families overseas while her family was stationed in Japan through the US Navy as a civilian federal employee.
She is fluent in English, Japanese and Filipino. Living and working with people from various cultures her entire life has allowed her to develop a deeper understanding of how effective interpersonal communications create a positive and lasting impact on organizational effectiveness. This allows Kat to bring an inclusive perspective that fits perfectly with the company’s mission and vision.
Marcela Betancourt
Human Resource Specialist
& Special Projects Coordinator
Marcela has an associate's degree in general studies, as well as a few certifications and certificates. She is currently attending school and expect to get a Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management this upcoming Summer. Her work background has been in customer service with 5+ years of experience.
The biggest struggle has been adjusting her life every time her spouse is off on deployment or sent to other stations and you don’t have that support or contact for that extended time. She is so grateful to have resources that connect her to some help and support when I need it.
Marcela enjoys gardening and tending to her 30+ plant collection. Her biggest accomplishment so far has been growing cantaloupes and chili peppers.
Casie Gray
Operations Assistant
Casie brings a dynamic presence and interdisciplinary expertise to The Folke Institute, backed by her Master's degree in Humanities. Her diverse experiences and continuous pursuit of knowledge greatly enrich our team and client services. Intent on pursuing doctoral studies in Ethics, Casie is dedicated to fostering ethical practices and a supportive community at TFI.
​
Outside her professional realm, she is an enthusiast of yoga and weight-lifting, finds peace in baking, and rejuvenates with hikes in local parks. As a lover of thrift store finds and an ice cream connoisseur, Casie radiates a spirit of curiosity and joy, influencing both her work and personal life. Her broad interests and commitment position her as a key asset to The Folke Institute, promising innovative contributions and enhanced community engagement.
Joana Linares
Bookkeeping Professional
Joana has a solid track record of success in small business bookkeeping and 10 years of corporate accounting support. She is highly organized and detail-focused with proven ability to follow-through and apply problem-solving techniques.
Ronald Hinton, Jr., PhD
Consultant & Facilitator
As a Human Capital Specialist for the USDA, Ronald has extensive experience analyzing recruitment and workforce data; assessing needs and providing assistance aimed at finding solutions.
​
He is well versed in communications, qualitative research methods, interpersonal connection methods, community administration leadership strategies, change management best practices and design thinking.
​
Ronald is passionate about working with diverse populations, developing comprehensive assessments to systematically measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of soldier and family programs. His knowledge, experience, and zeal for common vision and tactical strategy uniquely positions him to offer positive impact to the TFI team.
Adam Evans,
PhD
Consultant & Facilitator
Adam has a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership with concentrations in Adult Education and Technology as well as an MBA in Entrepreneurship. He was the Chief Strategy Officer of InstantHandz through November of 2021, a Phoenix-based Tech company.
He is an Air Force military spouse leading various teams in support of all Air and Space Force military families. He has also served as the Global Chapter Director of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs.
Adam is currently a Master Resilience Trainer for the Air Force Key Spouse program, and recently graduated from the inaugural Military Leadership Development Program through the Military Spouse Advocacy Network. He teaches for the Graduate Business Program at the University of Kentucky and has over 18 years of experience in higher education.
Zabrina Epps,
PhD
Facilitator & Trainer
A systems thinker by nature, Zabrina’s superpower is her ability to understand individual and organizational goals and aspirations within the context of institutional systems and structures, the realities of organizational politics, and the shifting priorities of leadership.
Zabrina helps clients to deconstruct cultural underpinnings to identify opportunities for change through personal reflection and transformation.
Lisa Gray
Consultant | Facilitator | Coach
Lisa is an experienced educator and strategic relationship professional with over 25 years in student development, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Her consistent focus on race, intersectionality, and equity, coupled with an MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a BA in English Literature, ensures a strong academic and practical foundation. This, along with her affiliation with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., allows her to bring a unique perspective to her work.
Beyond her professional life, Lisa is deeply involved in community service.Her roles in local school associations, an Equity Policy Committee, an Inclusion Collaborative, and her work as a coach, mentor and diversity consultant demonstrate her commitment to making a difference. Off-duty, Lisa finds balance through prayer, meditation, time with loved ones, podcasts, audiobooks, traditional reading, and Latin dancing.
Lisa's greatest asset is her ability to convert her extensive experience and skills into actionable strategies that directly benefit the company and its clients. Her empathetic understanding of client needs is instrumental in driving successful diversity and inclusion initiatives, showcasing her as a crucial contributor to any team. As a mother and a dedicated community member, Lisa’s commitment to service continues to motivate her professional pursuits. Now, Lisa brings her expertise and passion to TFI, where her impact promises to elevate the company’s mission and benefit both TFI and its clients.
Anna Larson
Digital Marketing
Strategist
Anna Larson is TFI's digital marketing strategist and lead copywriter. She is passionate about three things: supporting businesses and entrepreneurs, building up military spouses, and finding adventures.
She is an expert in showcasing a brand's passion through social media,
custom-designed websites, and marketing campaigns.
After 22+ years of living as an active duty military spouse — living in locations
across Europe, Africa, and the United States, her family made the leap into
military retirement. They are forging new paths together with two kids and
two dogs in tow. She’s a long-time homeschool mom that loves dance
parties, popcorn, camping, and snorkeling in the ocean. In her spare time,
you’ll find her traveling the world and having adventures with her family.
Joyouse Crouse
Consultant | Facilitator | Coach
Joy Crouse, an experienced facilitator, trainer, coach, and consultant, brings to TFI over 14 years of expertise in social justice work. They have an extensive background in nonprofits, aiding diverse groups ranging from incarcerated juveniles to veterans and survivors. Guided by a commitment to social justice, inclusion, and equity, Joy aims to create environments that cultivate a sense of belonging for all.
Raised in a family of certified life coaches, Joy's dedication to their field is deeply ingrained. They hold an undergraduate degree in Counseling Psychology, Gender Studies, and Multicultural Studies from The Evergreen State College and a Master's in Social Justice from Arizona State University. Outside of their professional life, Joy is a fitness enthusiast and avid practitioner of meditation, living in Colorado with their partner and two pets.
At TFI, Joy's passion for social justice and equity is integral to our mission. Their focus on creating accessible and scaled learning on key complex topics helps ensure our workplace is equipped for sustainability and success. By promoting inclusion and belonging, Joy not only enhances our team dynamic but also extends this approach to our clients, fostering a more inclusive and equitable business environment.
Natisha Willis
Consultant | Facilitator | Coach
Natisha Willis is an accomplished Executive Coach, Trainer, and Leadership Advisor at The Folke Institute. With over 15 years of experience coaching adults, Natisha empowers individuals to unlock their full potential and achieve remarkable results. Her holistic approach integrates practices such as mindfulness and trauma-informed care, fostering both personal and professional growth with a focus on overall well-being.
With a background in the tech industry as a DEI Project Manager and Diversity Business Partner, Natisha possesses a deep understanding of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations. She helps create inclusive cultures that leverage diverse perspectives, driving positive change.
Additionally, Natisha has 8 years of experience in higher education and holds a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management & Fundraising. Her expertise supports educational organizations in achieving their missions and implementing effective strategies for growth.
As a dedicated Leadership Advisor, Natisha guides executives and emerging leaders through personalized coaching sessions, helping them navigate challenges, unlock their potential, and drive meaningful change.
At The Folke Institute, Natisha is a trusted partner, providing executive coaching, training, and valuable insights to clients seeking to thrive in today's dynamic and inclusive business landscape.
Selena Conmackie
Website Designer
Aloha! Selena Conmackie is a WordPress website designer and also helps small and medium-sized businesses with digital strategy — including social media management, email marketing and paid ads.
Selena’s also co-host of 15{ish} Minute Coffee Chat on YouTube, Chapter Ambassador for the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs, and a regular blog contributor for Spouselink.Org.
Additionally, Hauoli-Socially Inspired LLC is proudly celebrating its achievement in becoming an officially recognized Military Spouse Owned Enterprise.
When Selena isn’t hosting a workshop, learning the newest Instagram trend, or adding a plug-in to her client’s websites, you can find her spending time with her “ohana” (family), drinking coffee out of one her many Starbucks’ mugs, binging Real Housewives, or having therapy sessions with her rescue dog, Coco
.
Dani Herrera
Consultant & Facilitator
Dani is a bilingual, award-winning Latina immigrant with 17 years of global experience. She is a Certified DEI & Talent Consultant, Speaker, and Trainer. Her background in Talent Operations, Recruitment, DEI, and Leadership enables her to provide transformative strategies and insights.
​
Dedicated to social justice, she aims to dismantle inequitable systems, fostering inclusive environments that attract and retain talent from marginalized communities. Through bias-minimizing processes and inclusive strategies, she advances equity and accessibility.
​
At The Folke Institute, she infuses projects with innovation and inclusivity, driving transformative change for clients. Her efforts ensure that TFI and its clients lead in fostering sustainable, systemic change in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Erin Leonard
​
Erin Leonard, currently stationed in Ramstein, Germany, brings a unique blend of international exposure and non-profit expertise to TFI and its esteemed clients. As a proud military spouse, Erin's journey has spanned the globe, enabling her to immerse herself in diverse communities and extend support beyond her family.
With academic foundations from Wright State University, where she earned a BS in Secondary Education, and a Master’s Certificate in Advanced International Affairs from Texas A&M, Erin also holds a Master of Arts in Education emphasizing Organizational Leadership from George Washington.
Erin has worn multiple hats, ranging from the COO of a humanitarian aid organization to an influential mentor for various Air Force spouse programs. Her intrinsic passion for non-profit endeavors is deeply rooted in the mission's heart, consistently examining structural impact, championing change initiatives, and advocating steadfastly for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Erin's spirit of exploration resonates personally. She ardently believes in enriching her children's perspectives by introducing them to the world's wonders, ensuring they grow with an appreciation for diversity and a zest for life.
At TFI, Erin's multifaceted experiences and passion promise to be invaluable, forging impactful partnerships and fostering meaningful change.
Facilitator
Jessie Andrea McNair
Copywriter
Jessie provides insights on the marketing of the institute’s products and services. She contributes to the branding of TFI by providing content writing, editorial services, marketing research, and business development assistance. Her ability to see the big picture, tell a good story, and make connectivity between transformational learning and experiential knowledge informs her strategic recommendations for the growth of the company.
​
She enjoys her engagement with the team after 32 years of traditional and digital marketing in publishing and nonprofits. In the middle of the pandemic, she successfully launched her marketing services firm, Marketing with JAM, to help certified minority business owners increase their brand awareness among government agencies, non-government entities, and corporations.
Debbie Graul
Instructional Designer & Trainer
After a 21 year career in the healthcare industry, Debbie began her journey as a Mindfulness Instructor. She has worked with small businesses, seniors, Girl Scouts, Lady Leaders Program, The She Program as well as with students, teachers and parents from several inner city school districts.
​
Her expertise includes stress management strategies, anxiety and difficult emotions (self-awareness) guidance, breathing strategies and exercises, SAT Mindfulness Training, PSSA Mindfulness Training, Practical Self Care, Mindfulness and Compassion Fatigue. She has developed a trauma informed curriculum and shares mindful movements.
​
Debbie’s education and experience compliments TFI’s programs by balancing the mind and body connection.