New England Workforce Network Conference

Keynote

Dr. Liza Talusan, a distinguished facilitator, educator, and scholar-practitioner specializing in leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion, served as the Keynote Speaker for the New England Workforce Network Conference on March 14, 2025. Dr. Talusan guided us in community discussions aimed at fostering innovation in workforce development while reinforcing our commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice.

Dr. Talusan is an educator, strategic change partner, leader, writer, leadership coach and parent. With over 25 years of experience in PreK-20 education and organizational leadership, Liza is an engaging facilitator in conversations about diversity, anti-racism, bias, privilege and power and creates environments that allow for people to build skills for difficult conversations. Liza’s approach is focused on empowering individuals to create a more inclusive organization, environment, community and team.  

Dr. Talusan has been invited to more than 350 organizations across the country and internationally to deliver keynote addresses and facilitate dialogue groups, training workshops, strategic planning, and change management. Certified as a Professional Coach by the Institute for Professional Education in Coaching (iPEC), Liza helps individuals and organizations achieve their goals by centering values, strengths, and vision.  

Talusan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Child Development from Connecticut College; Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from New York University; Ph.D. in Higher Education from University of Massachusetts Boston; Certificate in Human Resources, Stonehill College; and PCC Coaching Credentials.  

Liza's cumulative research interests include identity-conscious practices; the experiences of underrepresented populations; Asian American and Pacific Islander students; socialization to graduate programs; navigating academic parenthood; interracial relationships; recognizing and reducing unconscious bias; and the impact of federal financial aid policies. She has integrated scholarship and research by conducting equity audits and organizational focus groups.  

In addition to her work at the national level with corporations, non-profit organizations, and schools, Liza serves as a faculty member in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she teaches in both the Masters and Doctoral programs.  Her recent book The Identity Conscious Educator: Building habits and skills for more inclusive schools was published by Solution Tree Press in 2022 and earned a Gold Medal from the IPPY Awards in 2023.