Kira Lee Holtzon
Senior Consultant
Kira joins the Center with more than seven years of experience in consulting, community-based research, and building racially equitable workplaces. Recently, Kira served as a Strategist at Collective – A DEI Lab, where she led the design and delivery of various assessments, audits, and strategic plans centered around improving experiences for Black, Indigenous, Latin American, and Asian individuals across the employee life cycle. She was a trusted advisor and consultant to companies like The New York Times and Taco Bell, along with other startups and nonprofits. Kira has also worked with public sector and community partners during her time at the Center for Urban Research and Learning, working to improve the quality of life for marginalized communities in Chicago.
As a senior consultant, Kira will be responsible for delivering consulting services, educational and technical support to mid and large private sector organizations to equip employers with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to dismantle institutional racism, and institutionalize racial equity and inclusion using the 5 Ps to close racial employment, income, and wealth gaps. Additionally, she will deliver consulting services to local, regional, and state government agencies to accelerate racial equity and regional inclusive economic growth.
Kira received a B.A. in Advocacy & Social Change and a B.A. in Gender Studies from Loyola University Chicago where she studied identity and the psychology of bias and discrimination. This expertise provides a unique lens to her analysis, facilitation, and strategy.