Hideko Akashi

Hideko Akashi is the founder and lead consultant for Liberation Consulting.  With over 20 years of experience in the educational sector, Hideko has challenged individuals and institutions to think critically about issues of diversity, privilege, social justice, inclusion, and equity. Starting with her own self-reflective journey, Hideko draws upon her own experience acknowledging her membership in historically included groups as well as her multiple targeted identities to guide individuals into their own self-exploration.  She believes in self and social transformation, and that institutions can also create positive shifts in organizational culture to help cultivate the environment of truly equitable and inclusive spaces.

Hideko is a skilled and professional facilitator with an extensive teaching background which allows her to create spaces that push participants to engage in a challenging learning process.  She enjoys exploring topics around liberation, race/racism, privilege, gender/sexism, sexual orientation, intersectionality, socialization, internalization and systemic cycles of oppression.

Beyond group facilitation and training workshops, Hideko engages institutions on strategic plans to make transformational and meaningful changes in their organizational culture.  She credits much of her training and approach to her work as an independent consultant for VISIONS, Inc.