Our Team
Our diverse team of trainers has over 155 years of combined experience in teaching, adult education, small- and large-group facilitation, and coaching. We come from a wide variety of backgrounds and occupational positions. Our individual current and past work has been in educational institutions, non-profit organizations, government, and self-employment. Our trainers have experience serving in varied institutional leadership positions, on many Vermont boards of directors, and as elected officials.
Brian Hsiang [he/him/his]
Brian is a first generation citizen of the United States of America. He grew up in New Jersey, and has lived in Vermont for over 20 years. Brian has spent his career focusing on experiential education; from teaching construction to opportunity youth to creating activities to promote dialogue. As a founding member of CQ Strategies, Brian has focussed on helping organizations engage in courageous conversations about race and culture. For fun, Brian loves snowboarding, swimming, and searching for the state's best maple creemee.
Kathy JohnsoN [She/Her/Hers]
Kathy works with people to create welcoming and respectful environments free of bias, bullying, harassment and discrimination. She encourages a focus on improving systems and policies to become more equitable, along with individual behaviors. In addition to her work as CQ Strategies Co-Founder & Partner, Kathy is self-employed as Vermont Equity Training & Consulting. Prior to CQ Strategies, Kathy spent 10 years as Director of Equity Initiatives at Vermont Institute for Science, Math, and Technology. She was honored in 2019 to receive the Unsung Hero Award from the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE). Kathy enjoys yoga, backpacking, cross-country skiing, biking, and spending time with friends and family.
Ita Meno [They/Them/Theirs]
Since moving to Burlington, Ita has worked for Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom, facilitated groups at Outright VT, and chaired the RU12? Queer Community Center Board of Directors. Ita is an activist with the Radical Cheerleaders, a member of Kings Local 802, and a founding member of the House of Lordes, both activist-oriented drag performance groups. They were a core member of the group of activist who worked to add “Gender Identity and Expression” to the State of Vermont’s list of protected classes. Ita can often be seen traipsing about town in bright colors, talking loudly, interrupting hurtful remarks and breaking up fights. Ita is a founding member of CQ Strategies.
Sherwood Smith [he/him/his]
Sherwood serves as Senior Executive Director for Inclusive Excellence and Faculty Engagement in the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Vermont (UVM). He previously worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania, adjunct faculty for the School for International Training Program in Kenya, Assistant Director of Residence Life at Pennsylvania State University, and faculty at the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication. He is a founding member of CQ Strategies.
Paul Suk-Hyun Yoon [he/him/his]
Paul believes his purpose in life is to passionately pursue justice to make the world a more equitable place. In addition to his work with CQ, he serves as Senior Advisor for Inclusive Excellence in the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Vermont (UVM), and is a doctoral student in the UVM Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program. Prior to joining UVM, Paul served as school-based administrator and teacher in PK-12 schools in both Vermont and Massachusetts. He lives in Essex Jct. with his spouse and two children.