Hi, I’m Bela Bhasin.
As a coach and facilitator I am passionate about supporting educational institutions and non-profits in transforming their systems into equitable, just, and liberating environments. I partner with leaders and teams to recognize and interrupt systemic oppression, within themselves and their organizations, while reimagining and redesigning systems where everyone can thrive and show up in their full brilliance.
Much of my work is focused on centering the needs and voices of those at the margins in our communities.
I look forward to meeting you and working with you.
Gandhi's quote, “be the change you wish to see in the world,” has inspired me much of my adult life.
More About Me:
My early experiences with gender, caste, colorism, and colonialism instilled in me a deep desire to be the change. These formative influences shaped my belief that leadership is fundamentally about being in service of others and creating meaningful change in the world.
With over two decades of experience, my work has spanned school redesign, leadership coaching, designing engaging and humanizing professional learning experiences, and racial healing affinity work. Since 2021 I have been working as a consultant. My current and past partnerships include San Francisco Unified School District, Ravenswood City School District, Oakland Unified School District, Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District, Aspire Public Schools, The Teaching Well, National Equity Project, Lead Liberated, TrUTH Educational Consulting, Partners in School Innovation, The City of Redwood City, and San Mateo County. Prior to that, I served as the Director of School Transformation and Design at Educate78 where I helped develop and launch the Transformational School Review Process. This process was used to support several schools across Oakland in their redesign efforts.
A collaborative and reflective leader, I value working across lines of difference and cultivating strong, trusting relationships with colleagues and partners. I bring humility, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose to all that I do.
I hold a BA in Psychology from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, India, and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston, MA. I earned National Board Certification in 2000. Originally from India, I moved to the U.S. in 1990 and have called California home since 2002. Outside of work, you can find me rock climbing, hiking trails, practicing yoga, or spending time with family and friends.
VALUES THAT GUIDE MY WORK
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COLLECTIVE LIBERATION
The end goal is collective liberation. I am committed to examining my own beliefs and ways of being, and supporting others to do the same, so that we do not, consciously or unconsciously, perpetuate oppression.
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COURAGE
Creating liberatory organizations requires resilience and courage. It calls us to meet challenges with optimism, flexibility, and compassion toward ourselves and others as we work to liberate ourselves from oppressive ideologies and collectivly step into our full potential.
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HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN
I am steadfast in my belief that we have to center the humanity of those most vulnerable in our communities when designing solutions, to ensure we do not replicate the very inequities we are trying to resolve.
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PARTNERSHIP
People are inherently resourceful and capable of solving their own problems. My goal is to meet them where they are and support them on their journey by listening deeply, celebrating their successes, and encouraging their ongoing growth and development.
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RADICAL IMAGINATION
Oppression can diminish our capacity to dream and imagine new possibilities. To build liberatory systems we have to give ourselves the permission to dream and envision the world as we want it to be.
“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”