Sembrando Lab, LLC.

[sem-brahn-doh] Spanish, verb
Planting or sowing, the scattering of seeds

Our Mission

Sembrando Lab plants seeds for a new world. We partner with organizations dedicated to social change to cultivate vibrant spaces of learning, belonging, and transformation.

Sembrando Lab activates organizations to build more equitable programs that encourage our community, society, and planet to flourish.

We all deserve a seat at the table where our voice matters, where we can show up as we are and be a valued member of community. We all deserve to belong.

Sembrando Lab takes this important human need and turns it into powerful and effective programming, centering belonging, exploring othering, identity, and oppressions. Staff and volunteers can powerfully enact your organization’s mission in the world, co-creating dynamic programs with learners, clients, and communities at the center.

When we belong, we can learn.

When we belong, we can transform.

When we belong, we can be part of something great.

Sembrando Belonging

From data to Doing

By shifting from data on disparities to focusing on creating belonging for the communities we serve, especially communities that have been historically othered, we can imagine a clear path that is actionable and gives each of us a role in creating effective and equitable programs.

Sembrando Transformation

Our Services

Training &
Facilitation

  • Design and facilitation of training based on adult-learning best practices.

  • Sembrando Lab uses a variety of strategies to engage participants in self-reflection, learning, and goal creation.

  • Training improves staff and volunteer engagement as well as DEIB knowledge and practices.

Community Engagement for Change Management

  • Partnering with leadership to design an effective change management process for programmatic equity upgrades.

  • Designing and implementing community engagement strategies and outreach plans to better inform programmatic and organizational offerings.

  • Conducting community research through a DEIB and scholarship-based lens.

Curriculum Development

  • Curriculum design for youth and adult learners based on effective pedagogies and designed with equity in mind.

  • Curriculum equity revamp: upgrading current curriculum offerings with Culturally Relevant and Community Responsive practices to better serve diverse communities.

Organization-Specific Services

  • Curriculum development (Youth Development, Social-Emotional Learning, social justice)

    Programmatic equity upgrades

    Cultural Humility and equity training for staff & volunteers who interface with diverse members of the public

    Leadership development & affinity spaces for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) staff

  • Curriculum development (Youth Development, Social-Emotional Learning, social justice)

    Equity training for staff

    Programmatic equity upgrades

Our Impact in Their Words:

  • "As a consultant, Leah has informed our work in ways that have impacted our organization at every level. Collaborating with our education team she has guided the development of an equity framework to ground our Youth in Parks program, and she has helped us dig deep by facilitating BIPOC affinity spaces for colleagues in the regional environmental education community, in addition to helping us establish an ongoing internal affinity group here at the park. Leah brings energy, insight, and compassion to her work and is 100% responsive to our needs. We are so grateful to have Leah by our side!"

    Biret Adden | Education Director | Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA)

  • "Leah’s experience is evident in the paths she is creating in Sonoma County to cultivate belonging in spaces where historically marginalized folks have not been accepted, invited or welcomed. A joy to work with, learn from and collaborate with!"

    Irma Cuevas | Community Relations Assistant | Sonoma County Ag + Open Space

  • "Sembrando Lab creates safe spaces where those providing enriching outdoor experiences for BIPOC folks can convene and share their respective challenges. Ideas, solutions, and suggestions are born organically through small or large group discussions as folks exchange wisdom from their experiences."

    Vencel Alfred | Supervising Coordinator | YES Nature to Neighborhoods

  • "Leah played a crucial role in helping our Commission establish strong community agreements and identify core values during our recent retreat. Her enthusiastic, engaging, and inclusive approach fostered trust and openness, enabling honest and productive conversations."

    Nayeli Bernal, MPH | Program Analyst | Oakland Children’s Initiative, City of Oakland

  • "Leah’s bright energy and enthusiasm helped teachers feel at ease right away. She set a tone of safety that allowed teachers to reflect on their sense of belonging in the moment and provided specific ways to cultivate belonging with marginalized students in the classroom."

    Trisha Meisler | Water Agency Programs Specialist | Sonoma Water

  • "Having the BIPOC Affinity space hosted by Sembrando Lab has helped me so much with the work I do in environmental land stewardship, it has given me a community in which I feel safe and able to discuss what comes up in this work."

    Roxy Layden | Field Outings Specialist | LandPaths

Meet Leah

Hi Folks! I'm Leah, Founding Director of Sembrando Lab, LLC., and I’m thrilled to bring passion, energy, and a hands-on approach to our work together! I’m all about helping organizations tap into the incredible potential of the communities they serve—building equitable, inclusive programs that fuel thriving communities and a more just world. For over 20 years, I’ve built expertise working with adults and youth in environmental education, STEM, youth development, community health, civic engagement, and more—collaborating with teams to create programs that go beyond meeting goals to spark meaningful transformation.

What truly excites me is creating spaces where learning comes alive, where everyone feels engaged, and where belonging is at the center. I believe in asking communities what they need and centering their voices, rather than assuming what works. Every organization has its own unique path to equity, and I’m here to guide you as we clarify your values, set actionable goals, and bring fresh perspectives to your programs.

With a Master’s Degree in Education focused on Equity and Social Justice, I bring equity expertise based on theory and practice, along with a vibrant, hands-on approach. My experience has shaped me into a connector, inspiring positive, lasting change in the communities I serve.

I’m looking forward to working together, sembrando flourishing programs that are rooted in equity and ready to grow. Let’s partner to make this vision a reality!

Let’s Connect!