Our Commitments & Principles
We are committed to dismantling racialized capitalism, a system built on the removal and exploitation of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color for the consolidation of white wealth and power, and reimaging a more liberated and cooperative world for future generations.
We are unwavering in this commitment and are not and will not be intimidated by the individuals in power that are continuing to uphold injustice and perpetuate state violence
Our working principles are grounded in being in right relationship with our clients, building shared leadership, and designing strategy with an eye toward justice, repair, and liberation.
Erika Strong
Erika Strong (they/she) is a dynamic facilitator, strategist, and equity practitioner who brings heart, systems-thinking, and over 20 years of experience to the work of transforming organizations from the inside out. As the lead facilitator at Weav Studio, Erika helps teams reimagine how they work together crafting strategies and internal systems that not only drive measurable impact but also foster workplaces rooted in sustainability, equity, and care.
Drawing from a rich background in community-based participatory research, organizational design, and anti-racist practice, Erika weaves together practical tools and visionary frameworks. Their approach is grounded in an Indigenous and deep understanding of the structural forces, like white supremacy and patriarchy, that shape our institutions, and a commitment to designing alternatives that serve justice and wholeness. Whether working with rural organizers, urban nonprofits, or Indigenous-led initiatives, Erika brings clarity, compassion, and care to all teams they work with.
Nationally recognized as a skilled trainer and facilitator, Erika has led efforts in campaign strategy, team development, hunger justice, restorative justice, and coalition building across the Pacific. They are also an affiliate of the Interaction Institute for Social Change, where they facilitate trainings such as Facilitative Leadership for Social Change and Fundamentals of Facilitation for Racial Justice Work.
Erika is a proud auntie, queer, a culinary artist, an avid birder and land steward, and a life-long musician. They are also a certified coach for healing justice and liberation and a board member of The Delores Project, a community rooted in dignity and support for people experiencing homelessness. Erika is an enrolled member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and holds an M.P.H. in Community-Oriented Public Health Practice, along with a B.A. in Anthropology and a B.S. in Public Health all from the University of Washington.
Mel Peterson
Mel (they/them) is a project manager, facilitator, and organizational design consultant. Their approach is rooted in forming and tending to meaningful, accountable, and healthy relationships. They are on a lifelong journey to work to dismantle white supremacy and build towards more liberatory ways of being in community with others. As Weav Studio’s lead project manager, Mel works to co-create processes, work plans, and accountability agreements that center the health and wellbeing of everyone involved. They believe that good project management is foundational for creating the spaciousness and healthy relationships necessary for folks to show up as their best selves, do their best work, and tap into their imagination and creativity.
Mel’s past experience includes designing programs that harness the power of civic engagement and strategic partnerships to strengthen organizational capacity. Their background in volunteer management honed their ability to establish participation environments which helped volunteers be in community and feel that their contributions were both significant and meaningful. They earned a B.A. in psychology from Columbia University. Mel is also an affiliate with the Interaction Institute for Social Change.
Mel builds resilience and is energized by being in right relationship with people and animals, food, humor, the earth, and the sun. They are queer, nonbinary, an avid board game player, bread baker, and science fiction and fantasy nerd.
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!