Meet Liberty Gonzalez M.a. (they/them)

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liberty Gonzalez M.a. (they/them). We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liberty below.

Hi Liberty, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Growing up amid family conflict, I took refuge among the trees and creatures of my neighborhood. As a child who knew I was different, yet did not yet have the language of queerness, culture, oppression or belonging, I was informed by the lessons I took from nature about how to live in harmony with all things. As I came into a systemic understanding of the injustices of the world, I was move by the passionate actions of social movements to raise awareness and push for big changes. A formative time in my life was participating in the Occupy Movement and the ecovillage movement through Tryon Life Community Farm, which helped me to embrace my own intersectional identity as a genderqueer Pagan Jew, and led to me anti-racism organizing, reparations work and ultimately my career as a DEI and organizational thriving coach and consultant. My purpose, however, regardless of what form my actions are taking, will always be rooted in finding connection to the earth and natural cycles of life, whether that be through collective spiritual practice, decolonial approaches to research and cultural work, or helping people connect back to their own identities and bodies. My purpose really found me from the beginning, and has only morphed into different expressions over time.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Liberty Gonzalez (they/them), and I’m the founder of Awakening Creatives, a queer-led consulting firm dedicated to fostering cultural transformation and collective flourishing. My work bridges DEI consulting, leadership development, and organizational transformation with creative coaching and compassionate community-building practices. The journey to building Awakening Creatives has been deeply personal. As a queer, neurodivergent, and gender-expansive leader of European descent, I’ve spent my life navigating and questioning systems that weren’t built for people like me as well as how I benefit from them. I started out focusing on the intersection of creative expression and holistic wellbeing. Over time, I was deeply inspired by the beauty and resilience of community—living in an ecovillage surrounded by queer dreamers, working on grassroots organizing projects, and now channeling those experiences into consulting work that fosters cultural transformation and collective flourishing.

Awakening Creatives is the culmination of years of work at the intersection of social equity, creative problem-solving, and holistic well-being. What drives me is the belief that when people and organizations root deeply into their values, they can build more equitable and connected cultures—places where everyone, including the Earth, can express themselves and truly thrive. While this process sometimes involves the uncomfortable and challenging work of dismantling unhealthy patterns and cultural norms, confronting unearned social privileges and having difficult conversations, the impact I have witnessed through the Awakening Creatives approach has been profound.

What excites me most about my work is the “transformative moment” when, sometimes after years of foundational work, we get to witness a transformation within an individual, an organization or community. This often happens when people and organizations lean into their authentic creativity and values, do the hard work of shifting their consciousness to have new visions for what possible… and then take ACTION. These moments remind me that change IS POSSIBLE, and gives me hope in a world that often wears marginalized people down to the bone. Whether it’s guiding a team through difficult conversations about inclusion and belonging or coaching leaders to uncover their vision for collective liberation and bring it to life, my work centers on empowering others to shape a more just and connected world.

I’m especially proud of how Awakening Creatives weaves an earth-centered approach into leadership development, following guidance from indigenous leadership and the decolonial movement, recognizing that we are part of nature and can learn so much from its adaptability and interconnectedness. This philosophy is reflected in everything we do, from consulting on systemic equity initiatives to facilitating spaces for reflection and creative problem-solving. This has also looked like collaborating with groups to innovate their own rituals, practices for wellbeing (e.g. facilitating movement, collaborative music or ecstatic dance), and allowing the unique community culture to blossom. Seeing groups come into their own unique magic makes the work of Awakening Creatives an honor and a privilege.

Right now, I’m focusing on growing my circle of impact through strategic partnerships with values-rooted and mission-driven organizations—nonprofits, environmental groups, government agencies, social justice-committed schools, arts organizations, and socially conscious businesses that are ready to deepen their commitment to equity, sustainability, and cultural transformation. Whether it’s designing leadership development programs, guiding DEI initiatives and learning, strategic planning or facilitating conflict transformation work, I collaborate with organizations to align their strategies with their core values to make tangible change. It isn’t just about making workplaces more wonderful and meaningful places to be, although that’s an integral part, it’s about integrating the organization’s unique vision for flourishing into your impact at the community and environment level.

I’m also preparing for a move back to Portland, Oregon where I’m excited to deepen partnerships with organizations in the Pacific Northwest and continue to organize abroad to further the vision of liberatory cultural transformation within organizations and communities who are committed to the work, despite political pushback. For 2025, I’m expanding my work to support organizations navigating the shifting landscape of DEI while holding space for leadership to develop resilience, creativity, and collective healing. While it can be a frightening and uncertain time for many, these times also hold the potential for growth and deeper connection through more honest and authentic relationships within our collaborations.

As an important part of my work, I am completing a dissertation that explores the worldmaking practices of gender-expansive parents and caregivers, focusing on how they foster queer flourishing and intergenerational belonging within challenging cultural and political landscapes. Alongside this, I am writing a book, which weaves together research, personal narrative, and actionable insights to inspire more inclusive, liberatory approaches to birthing, parenting, caregiving, and community building. These projects are deeply aligned with my mission to support transformative cultural change and collective healing.

Going forward, I’d love to hear from those looking to lean into uncertainty, to deepen their conversations about cultural transformation and to continue to align their work with the thriving futures we are all dreaming of. If you’re leading an organization that wants to nurture a culture of belonging, equity, and creativity, let’s connect. Awakening Creatives is here to support you in making your vision a reality.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

In creating my career path, I spent a long time feeling lost and needing to create my own way. It came with some painful lessons, but three lessons in particular guided me to where I am now.

Stay Curious and Adaptable
Navigating the intersection of identities and systems that weren’t designed for people like me required me to get curious about everything and question the world critically. Why are things the way they are? How did they get this way? Who contributed to them being this way? How did power, privilege and wealth play a role in shaping our systems and cultures today? How does oppression, identity, and marginalization express itself in each cultural context that I’m working in? Then… how do I shift my consciousness, behavior and approach to make an impact with these new understandings in mind? How do I best collaborate to bring more life, flourishing and magic back into my community? When I meet with new clients, asking important questions like these and receiving answers (often contradictory answers) requires a commitment to curiosity. Living through change—whether personal, political, or professional—taught me to bend without breaking and adapt to challenges in ways that allow us to grow stronger and more aligned with our purpose. When a client gives me feedback about what is working and what is not, that is a gift to my growth and an opportunity to make an even more profound impact in their community. My advice? Build practices that help you stay grounded so that you can stay curious—whether that’s through creative expression, community care, or reconnecting with nature. Cultivate the ability to sit with discomfort and stay open to the lessons it offers.

Humility and Empathic Communication
The ability to truly hear and connect with others has been a cornerstone of my work. As a white person of predominantly European descent who benefits from white privilege and class privilege (regardless of my other identities), I needed to learn a whole new skillset for listening without getting defensive, and taking in the pain of others without taking it on. We each come from a unique experiences of race, ethnicity, immigration, class, gender, sexuality, ability, etc. Having empathy and the ability to really be with others’ joy and pain, and show humility (that I don’t always have the answer), allowed me to be open, change, and deepen my relationships. Whether it’s facilitating challenging dialogues, coaching leaders, or collaborating with teams, empathic communication builds trust, fosters connection, and creates space for transformation. For those early in their journey, practice deep listening (active listening with a mindful presence) and work to understand perspectives that differ from your own. Read widely about emotional intelligence and conflict engagement—these tools will serve you in every area of life. Expand your capacity for listening to understand rather than to respond while balancing this practice with healthy boundaries and self care.

Creative Problem-Solving
Creativity is more than artistry; it’s the ability to imagine new possibilities, innovate solutions, and see the bigger picture. Early in my seeking, I had no idea how to create the change that I wanted to see in the world, and I knew that the same old channels were not going to cut it. I needed to collaborate with others to imagine new ways and new futures. Often, I felt completely lost, but my commitment to creativity fueled the transformation that I went through and ultimately made me stronger and more confident on the other side. In my consulting and leadership work, I draw on creativity to expand and presence the mind to be able to navigate complex challenges and help others do the same. My advice? Lean into the unknown and cultivate practices that help you think expansively. Since starting Awakening Creatives, I have maintained my artistic and musical practice @libertyawakening, which has kept me connected to my soul’s aliveness. Whether it’s engaging in art, journaling, or exploring the world, give yourself time to reflect and dream.

Advice for Those Early in Their Journey
Find Your People: Surround yourself with a community of mentors, collaborators, and friends who inspire and support you. No one achieves success alone. A special shout out to my collaborators Dr. Christine Moses of Buffalo Cloud Consulting and Rashmi Dixit of the Hive Consultants for being my anchors in the storms of 2023 and 2024.
Invest in Learning: Dedicate time and resources to building the skills that resonate with your purpose. Take courses, read, and seek out experiences that challenge and expand your understanding.
Embrace Imperfection: Growth is messy, and failure is a valuable part of the process. Instead of fearing mistakes, view them as opportunities to learn. Progress is not linear, it is cyclical like everything in nature, and that’s okay.
These qualities and skills are not just tools for professional growth but also foundations for building a meaningful, impactful life. Start where you are, and trust that the journey will unfold as you grow and embrace the changes.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Collaboration is at the heart of everything I do, and I’m always looking to partner with values-aligned individuals and organizations who share a vision for collective liberation, equity, and cultural transformation.

I am particularly excited to connect with:

– Mission-Driven Organizations: Nonprofits, businesses, and agencies committed to equity, justice, and sustainability who are seeking consulting support to transform their organizational culture, leadership practices, or DEI initiatives—or an inspirational speaker to ignite fresh ideas and energize their team for the work ahead.
– Community Leaders and Change-Makers: Folks leading transformative projects or initiatives who are ready to align their vision, deepen their impact, and strengthen their leadership through coaching or strategic collaboration.
– Creative Practitioners and Cultural Workers: Artists, facilitators, and storytellers working at the intersection of creativity and social change who want to take tangible actions to co-create impactful programs or projects.
– Fellow DEI and Leadership Consultants: Peers in the field interested in collaborative opportunities for shared learning, mutual support, or joint ventures to expand the reach of liberatory work.

If you’re reading this and feel that our work and values align, I’d love to hear from you! You can connect with me on a free 30-minute connection call through my website, Awakening Creatives, or send me an email at liberty@awakeningcreatives.com. Let’s explore how we can partner to co-create a world where all beings can thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.awakeningcreatives.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakeningcreatives/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awakeningcreatives
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awakeningcreatives/
• Other: https://awakeningcreatives.substack.com/

Image Credits

Although there are no restrictions on use of photos, you may credit Sharon Thomas for all of the photos of me standing in the blue shirt. Me sitting in a chair in the blue shirt you can credit Rashmi Dixit. The other images do not require credit, as they were taken by willing volunteers who knew that the photos would be used for marketing purposes.