Team

Matthew C. Whitaker, Ph.D. (he/him/his) is an author, Cornell University Certified DEI executive, community outreach specialist, and founder and CEO of Diamond Strategies. He also founded the Arizona State University Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, winner of the 2014 DLA Inclusive Workplace Award, where he was a professor of history for 15 years. He was given the DLA’s Inclusive Leader Award in 2016.

Cassondra L. Whitaker (she/her/hers) is a graduate of Arizona State University with a B.A. in Sociology, with an emphasis on race, class, gender, African American Studies, and women’s studies. Cassondra is completing an M.A. in leadership and project management at North Arizona University.  She has over a decade of experience in special projects, management and marketing.

Covey L. Whitaker, M.E.d (she/her/hers) earned B.A. and an M.A. in Education, from Arizona State University. A “master teacher” and a specialist in educational equity, she served on the Arizona Governor’s Task Force on Gangs, the Governor’s Task Force on Punishment. She is also member of Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Rory Gilbert, M.Ed., SPHR, SHRM-SCP (she/her/hers) is a certified coach and mediator trained in Interest-Based Resolution (IBR). She lead Maricopa Community Colleges strategic DEI work, served as executive director of the Arizona Region of NCCJ, and  co-founded the Healing Racism Dialogue Series, winner of the 2008 National League of Cities Inclusive Award.

Rowdy Duncan, M.A., (he/him/his) is Residential Faculty in Communication at Phoenix College, and has been a trainer facilitator for Diamond Strategies since 2016. He founded and leads The Inclusive Activism and is our lead advisor on Indigeneity. He is a member of the award-winning Healing Racism Dialogue Series, and a 2014 winner of the Arizona Diversity Alliance Diversity Champion Award.

Teniqua Brougton, M.E.d. (she/her/hers) earned a B.S. in interdisciplinary studies from Arizona State University, where she earned an M.Ed. in Education. She is certified in non-profit management, community partnerships, leadership and DEI. The Phoenix Business Journal describes her as one of Phoenix’s Most Admired Leaders. Teniiqua is also the Director of The State of Black Arizona,

Sada Gilbert, M.A. (she/her/hers) is a program administrator, facilitator, educator, and community leader, with 18 years of experience. She has a B.A. in American Studies from Brandeis University, and an M.A. in Sustainable Communities, from Northern Arizona University. She has worked to advance DEI as teaching faculty for NAU's Women and Gender Studies department, and the U.S. military.

Alonzo Jones, M.A. (He,Him, His) is Dean of Sports, Youth, and Life Skills, and Associate Athletic Director for Inclusion & Championship Life at Arizona State University (ASU).  Mr. Jones is an experienced administrator who has more than 30 years of experience working in higher education.  Jones joined the Diamond Strategies team in 2022, and ASU Sun Devil Athletics in March 2016.