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 healthcare, 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 — tools essential for improving community wellness and healthcare outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
As a consultant, I’m more than just a facilitator or trainer—I’m here to spark transformation within healthcare organizations and community health. I combine strategic thinking with a deep understanding of patient care, workforce dynamics, and community health needs. My background in community engagement, government, and the nonprofit sector gives me a unique perspective on the complex challenges healthcare and community leaders face. I know how to build the infrastructure and capacity needed to improve patient outcomes, foster culturally competent care, and create resilient, inclusive healthcare environments.
In addition to my consulting work, I serve as the CEO of Accesso Care, a workforce development agency dedicated to supporting immigrant success and strengthening the care workforce.
Let’s connect to elevate your healthcare organization's mission, enhance patient-centered care, and drive meaningful, lasting change.
Services
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Providing comprehensive, customized training for healthcare organizations in inclusion, cultural competency, trauma-informed care, and harassment prevention. Our programs are tailored to address the unique challenges of healthcare settings, enhancing patient outcomes, fostering inclusive workplace environments, and supporting culturally responsive care.
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Speaking Engagements for Healthcare and Community Leaders
Engaging, insightful talks designed to inspire and transform healthcare organizations and community initiatives. I speak on topics that intersect culture, leadership, and healthcare, offering practical insights and strategies to foster inclusive, equitable environments.
Key Speaking Topics:
Cultural Humility in Healthcare: Understanding and integrating cultural humility into patient care to improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Leadership in Diverse Healthcare Settings: Empowering healthcare leaders to foster inclusive teams, navigate cultural dynamics, and lead with empathy and equity.
AAPI Heritage and Health Equity: Exploring the history, contributions, and unique healthcare challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Serving Immigrant and Diverse Populations: Strategies for healthcare professionals to effectively engage with immigrant communities, addressing language barriers, cultural differences, and systemic inequities.
Healing-Centered Practices in Healthcare: Integrating trauma-informed care and healing-centered engagement to support both patients and healthcare staff.
Narrative Change and the Power of Storytelling in Healthcare: Using storytelling to shift narratives, reduce stigma, and foster deeper connections between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
Each presentation is customized to meet the specific needs of your organization, ensuring relevance and actionable takeaways that drive meaningful change.
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Expert facilitation services designed to enhance organizational culture and promote effective community engagement. The focus is on creating resilient, inclusive environments that prevent burnout and reduce staff turnover. With an emphasis on active listening and strategic dialogue, these services help healthcare teams build trust, navigate complex challenges, and strengthen internal collaboration.
Additionally, skilled facilitation of community engagement efforts supports diverse populations, including immigrant communities and other underserved communities.
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.”
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.
Ethical AI Risk Assessment & Threat Modeling
I was subcontracted as a Sociology expert on an interdisciplinary team for a major tech company, working on AI threat modeling and ethical safeguards. Our team, including psychologists and sociologists, explored ethical boundaries in AI interactions to identify risks and refine system responses.
Through scenario-based role-playing, we tested AI decision-making, flagged potential vulnerabilities, and provided recommendations to enhance safety and alignment with ethical standards.
In the News
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"How three Philly groups are raising mental-health awareness in immigrant communities"
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"A Celebration of Black & Asian Joy event helping bridge gap between communities in Philadelphia"
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"This Philly org provides Chinese immigrant families with the tools to heal, as the pandemic intensifies anti-Asian hate"
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"Women start Black & Asian collective to bridge gap between Philly communities"
