Helping CEOs and diverse C-suite teams rebuild trust, navigate conflict, and lead with clarity across difference
Because how you lead together matters
BridgeBetter Consulting was born from a simple yet urgent observation: the leaders doing the most important work in our communities need support to navigate the complexity of leading diverse teams.
As a licensed counseling psychologist and organizational consultant, our founder has spent years sitting in rooms where talented, committed leaders talk past each other — where racial and gender dynamics go unnamed, where trust has quietly eroded, and where the mission is suffering because the team at the top can't find its footing.
BridgeBetter exists to change that.
We work at the intersection of psychology, power, and organizational leadership. Helping executive teams in education, healthcare, and other mission-driven institutions do the deeply human work of leading across difference. That means naming what others avoid, building the communication skills that actually stick, and helping leaders understand how race, gender, culture, and power shape every conversation in the room.
This is not off-the-shelf leadership training. This is relational work, specific to your team, your dynamics, and your mission.
Our team
Founder, Lead Facilitator
Christina Douyon, PhD
Dr. Christina Douyon earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Boston College, where she trained under Dr. Janet E. Helms at the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture. Her expertise lies at the intersection of race, culture, leadership, and relational health, with a focus on how race and power shape communication, connection, and repair in the workplace.
Before becoming a psychologist, Dr. Douyon taught sixth-grade reading in New Orleans through Teach For America. An experience that deepened her commitment to equity and illuminated the lasting impact of racial trauma on individuals and institutions.
Dr. Douyon draws on her background in education and as a psychologist to help leaders and teams navigate difficult conversations, repair relationships after harm, and build systems that center belonging and accountability. Her work integrates psychological insight with practical, actionable strategies that help organizations move from awareness to sustainable change.
Facilitator
Amanda Weber, PhD
Dr. Amanda Weber earned their PhD in Counseling Psychology from Boston College where they were trained at the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture under Dr. Janet Helms. They specialize in the intersections of race and gender and deconstructing Whiteness and White Supremacy. Prior to pursuing their degree in Psychology, they worked in the field of Information Technology for a medium-sized business as a manager where they developed their skills in leadership, managing teams, developing team culture and accountability, and developing continuous learning plans. In their spare time, they can be found making furniture or biking.
Facilitator
Kahlil DuPerry, PhD
Dr. Kahlil C. DuPerry earned his PhD in counseling psychology from Boston College where he was trained at the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture under Dr. Janet E. Helms. Additionally, he studied under the mentorship of Dr. Anderson J. Franklin on matters related to racial identity and the experiences of Black men. He specializes in the intersection of socio-cultural identities, including race and gender. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, jogging, and good food.
Facilitator
Jonathan Sepulveda, PhD
Dr. Jonathan Sepulveda earned his PhD in counseling psychology from Boston College. He trained under Drs. Janet Helms and Belle Liang at the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture, and the Youth Mentoring and Purpose lab, respectively. He specializes in ethnic racial identity and its impact on mentorship and positive youth development outcomes. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Jacobi Hospital in New York City. Prior to his doctoral program, he obtained a master of arts in mental health counseling from CUNY Baruch College and worked as an in-home therapist until becoming licensed as a mental health counselor in New York in 2016. In his spare time, he will be found hiking or biking.
Facilitator
Marcia Nickow, PsyD, CGP
Dr. Marcia Nickow earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where a primary focus of her studies was intergenerational, historical, and race-based trauma and systemic oppression. Dr. Nickow is a full-time group psychotherapist and trauma and addictions specialist, organizational consultant, and frequent presenter. She is mentored by Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy in anti-racist organizational work. Prior to pursuing a psychology career, she worked as a journalist for 12 years and later as a community organizer. In her free time, she enjoys writing, hiking, and community activism.
Facilitator
Ryan Sappington, PhD
Dr. Ryan Sappington earned his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He's a licensed psychologist specializing in men and masculinities, Whiteness, athlete mental health and performance, grief, and trauma. Dr. Sappington is a former Division I soccer player and also holds master's degrees in Sport Psychology and Organizational Psychology. In his spare time, he enjoys fly fishing, spending time with family, watching The Office on repeat, and supporting Manchester United.
Facilitator
Kiara Manosalvas, PhD
Dr. Kiara Manosalvas earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she trained in the Stigma, Identity, and Intersectionality Research Lab led by Dr. Brandon Velez. She specializes in racial-ethnic identity development in Latinx communities, and the ways cultural identities shape mental health and social justice advocacy. Currently, Dr. Manosalvas is a full-time faculty member at Teachers College, where she coordinates the bilingual Latiné Mental Health Concentration. In her private practice, she specializes in ADHD in women, with a particular passion for empowering women of color navigating ADHD. Outside of work, she loves exploring local coffee shops and independent bookstores throughout New York City.
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