About me

I’m Dr. Esther Castillo, and I bring together organizational strategy, community engagement, and analytical know-how from over two decades of experience in education, government, philanthropy, and non-profits. With a Ph.D. in Sociology, I’ve honed my skills in survey development and both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

As a consultant, I’m more than just a facilitator or trainer—I’m here to spark transformation. I combine strategic thinking with a deep understanding of community and organizational dynamics. My background in community engagement, government, and the nonprofit world gives me a unique perspective on the challenges leaders face. I know how to build the infrastructure and capacity needed to drive real, lasting change.

Let’s connect to elevate your organization's purpose, mission, and vision.

Services

  • Providing strategic planning, technical assistance, survey development, and guiding equitable community engagement

  • Offering personalized leadership coaching to foster equity, impact, and transformative growth

  • Delivering expert project management to streamline processes, achieve goals, and drive impactful results

  • Providing comprehensive training in DEI, racial equity, sexual harassment prevention, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practices

  • Engaging speaking on AAPI heritage, immigration, healing-centered practices, cultural humility, narrative change, and the power of storytelling.

  • Expert facilitation with extensive experience in guiding difficult conversations and fostering meaningful dialogue

Selected Projects

Racial Healing Initiative: Empowering Women of Color Leaders

The Racial Healing Initiative is a transformative program designed to empower Women of Color (WOC) leaders in nonprofits and government. I led this initiative to address the unique challenges these leaders face, focusing on holistic well-being, community care, and racial healing. The program brought together influential leaders, including the Chief DEI Officer of the City of Philadelphia and the Chief Racial Equity Officer at the Public Health Department of Philadelphia, along with senior leaders from national nonprofits. Through retreats and workshops, participants engaged in deep reflection and healing practices, fostering resilience and enhancing their leadership capacity. The Racial Healing Initiative has become a crucial resource for sustaining WOC leadership and advancing equity in increasingly challenging environments.

Comprehensive Survey on COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes

I collaborated with the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs to develop a comprehensive survey targeting Asian American and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) populations in Pennsylvania. My role included developing the survey, designing outreach materials, and planning strategic outreach in key zip codes. I ensured the survey was accessible in 20 languages. Additionally, I established a partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and co-wrote a successful grant application to the Bloomberg Foundation, leading to the analysis of over 2,700 responses. This project highlights my expertise in strategic planning, community engagement, and partnership-building.

Asian Food Collective: A Collaborative Effort to Strengthen Leadership and Vision

Over a three-month partnership with the Asian Food Collective, a Philadelphia nonprofit dedicated to feeding neighbors and reconnecting Asian Americans with their cultures through food, I played dual roles as both coach and facilitator. I worked closely with the Founder & Executive Director, providing leadership coaching to help her navigate the organization’s growth and challenges. Additionally, I facilitated a workshop with their steering committee, guiding them through crafting a purpose statement and collaboratively redefining the Collective’s vision, mission, and values. This collaborative effort equipped the organization with a clear strategic direction for sustainable growth and lasting impact in their community.

“It is easy to get lost in the noise of overflowing ideas and well-meaning suggestions from people. Esther has an innate ability to cut through the noise and really helped me take a step back to realize the mission and values of the Asian Food Collective. She also led a workshop for our group’s newly formed steering committee, which was thought-provoking and has laid the foundation for organizational sustainability. Esther’s approach is straight-forward and strategic yet human-centered. Her coaching services left me feeling confident in the Asian Food Collective’s future.”
— Hanna Kim, Founder & Executive Director of Asian Food Collective

In addition to consulting projects, I have actively led and advocated for positive change in my community, focusing on issues such as mental health, racial justice, and health equity.

In the News

  • "How three Philly groups are raising mental-health awareness in immigrant communities"

    Bethany Ao

  • "A Celebration of Black & Asian Joy event helping bridge gap between communities in Philadelphia"

    Christie Ileto

  • "This Philly org provides Chinese immigrant families with the tools to heal, as the pandemic intensifies anti-Asian hate"

    Kira Wang

  • "Women start Black & Asian collective to bridge gap between Philly communities"

    Christie Ileto