About Us
We work to destigmatize uncomfortable conversations
Our team works to facilitate rich conversations about the hard stuff.
Addressing the impact of poor equity across society and organizations is a necessary step to spark meaningful change.
Our mission is to help you:
Reach your potential for a bias-free, inclusive workplace
Create unwavering bonds between team members
Embrace diverse culture among leadership & staff
Let us help you design a DEI strategy that centers around shared institutional values
- Bias-free environment
- Management of microaggressions
- Cultivating an inclusive environment
- Fostering allyship
Meet our team
Jabraan Pasha
Founder and CEO of Lean In. Dr. Jabraan Pasha is a practicing physician and educator, who is dedicated to the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion. A vocal advocate for the health of his community, Jabraan has been featured on several, national news outlets, such as CNN, MSNBC and NBC. Having presented nearly 200 times nationally and internationally, Jabraan is an experienced diversity equity and inclusion facilitator whose compassionate, empathetic and disarming presentation style has helped many individuals and organizations grow closer to becoming their best selves. A 2022 Aspen Health Communities fellow, Jabraan has received numerous awards for his leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion work, including The American College of Physicians W. Lester Henry Award for Diversity Equity and Inclusion in 2023, and 2024 Tulsa World Tulsan of the Year.
Chris McNeil
Dr. Christopher McNeil is an Emergency Medicine Resident Physician and founder of Youth Medical Mentorship Inc (YMM). Chris is also an elected official of the Union Public Schools Board of Education. A former division one athlete and current strength and conditioning coach, he also serves as a task force member for the Building Healthy Communities Initiative of the Health Performance and Research Institute at OSU. Chris is an Aspen Global Innovators Group Healthy Communities Fellow for the Class of 2023, as well as an advisor on the Schweitzer foundation board of directors. Published by the American Medical Association, Dr. McNeil’s research interest is in identifying the return on investment for recruiting, retaining, and advancing underrepresented health professionals. This interest has been the foundation for his work with YMM. Their success has led to the mentoring of 855 students, recruiting of 126 volunteers, creation of 26 jobs, and fundraising of $612,000. In nine short months, YMM’s reach spans five states, and has generated pathways and mentorship for students across many communities.
Emeka Nnaka
Emeka Nnaka is a keynote speaker, coach, mental health therapist, and leading advocate for individuals with physical challenges. He brings a message of determination, inspiration, and hope to audiences of all ages. Emeka is uniquely qualified to present life, its challenges, and its opportunities from the perspective of someone who found strength through tremendous adversity. A former championship semi-pro football player, Emeka sustained an injury that would end his career. In the face of the most extreme of circumstances, he chose hope instead of fear. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services and his masters in Human Relations and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Emeka has been a returning guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show where he was recognized for his resilience through life’s challenges and service to the community. As a speaker, coach, and advocate, Emeka has made it his mission to inspire, encourage and ignite hope and determination in others to live beyond the labels of their circumstances.
Jarrod Watson
Jarrod is a practicing physical therapist and diversity and inclusion specialist for healthcare providers and organizational leadership. He has been working in the Greater Austin area for over eight years. Originally raised in Minnesota and Tulsa, Oklahoma, a wide variety of cultural experiences have shaped his education and career. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Florida A&M University and graduated with honors with a Master of Healthcare Leadership from Brown University School of Professional Studies. Through his many years of practice, he has participated in organizational community engagement and partnerships, including becoming the lead therapist for Ballet Austin. While practicing physical therapy, Jarrod initiated core leadership discussions to develop Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion platform as an employee resource group for providers. Jarrod is SHRM-CP certified and is engaged in qualitative research work in maternal health disparities.His consulting work has focused on small business consulting, platform utilization, employee engagement, recruitment and retention strategy for healthcare providers, talent acquisition strategy, and implementation of Diversity Equity and Inclusion policies at the organizational level.
