I earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education, an M.A. in Counseling, and a B.A. in Psychology. I am a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and a Qualified Administrator (QA) of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). My passion for leadership development, especially for those from BIPOC and first-generation communities, along with my DEI&B work in schools, corporations, and non-profit organizations guides my daily practice. For a full list of my credentials and experiences, be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Here are a few of my credibility markers & accolades in bullet format

(if you’re into that stuff!):

• Certified Professional Coaching—Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI)-trained Executive Coach

• Tenured professor, researcher, and scholar

• 20+ years as a higher education practitioner (progressive Student & Academic Affairs leadership; management, supervision, budget management)

• 20+ years as an anti-racist DEI&B practitioner & strategist

• Executive board member leadership (non-profits & foundations)

• Philanthropist

Hey, I'm Nicole and I am the Founder & CEO of Real & Worthy, LLC. First and foremost, I want you to know that my most important "clients" call me Mommy! I am a BIPOC-identified Certified Professional Coach (CPC), tenured professor, entrepreneur, and scholar with 20+ years of higher education experience. I am a sought-after speaker, trainer, facilitator, and strategist on the topics of leadership and diversity, equity, inclusion, & belonging (DEI&B). I was born and raised in Passaic, NJ and am a proud Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF) alumna.

My identities as a woman of color and first-generation college graduate are at the core of my values, mission, and principles. I am on a mission to disrupt and dismantle the stifling impostor syndrome narrative one woman at a time. I firmly believe that all women innately possess the power and internal resources needed to reach their highest potential and that all women are WORTHY of unconditional joy, love, peace, and praise.

Who I am and what I do are deeply aligned with how I serve and who I am called to serve. I am a mother, wife, mentor, friend, daughter, sister, and champion of BIPOC and first-generation trailblazers who are out here doing the damn thing!