SCG - Key Persons
Dr. J.D. Barton is a therapist and clinical psychology graduate from Pepperdine University. He completed his predoctoral internship at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services. His research explores techniques for implementing culturally-affirming practices within therapy and institutional settings. J.D. has developed expertise in trauma and identity-affirming cognitive-behavioral theory. He has worked in a diverse number of settings including university counseling centers, hospitals, neuropsychology clinics, and community mental health.
Education:
Pepperdine University, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology
Pepperdine University, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology
University of Puget Sound, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Comparative Sociology
Job Titles:
- Professional Writer, Creative
Drew is a professional writer, creative, and activist, dedicating much of his time to work and activism in the LGBTQIA community. He is a people person, a gifted communicator, and has worked across a variety of fields, from higher education to freelance writing to the service industry. He brings his talent for connecting with people, speaking to diverse crowds, researching, writing, and strategizing to the SCG team.
Michael joins SCG with a background in linguistics, cultural and equity consulting, facilitation, research, writing, and higher education recruitment and administration. Michael is a seasoned facilitator and instructional designer, having consulted on a wide array of projects touching on linguistic equality, cross-cultural communication, inclusive recruitment practices, and race and identity issues. He has also chaired and sat on multiple boards doing equity and diversity work. Impressively, Michael works in six (6) languages: English, Greek, Japanese, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Michael firmly believes that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice work must be culturally responsive if it is to be relevant and effective. Moreover, he believes that experiences of discrimination, oppression, and inequity are informed by the history, culture, and conditions of the people that experience them. Before moving into consulting and facilitation full-time, Michael worked in higher education as a professor and director of international recruitment and hosted as weekly radio show focused on international media analysis.
Job Titles:
- Public Relations Executive
Pristina Alford is a public relations executive with over 10 years of experience working across a multitude of industries within the lifestyle space. Over the course of her career, she had represented clients within culture, hospitality, food, consumer lifestyle, spirits, fashion, and entertainment. A skilled and tenacious publicist, Pristina has executed high-level integrated PR campaigns providing strategic counsel and planning, media relations expertise, and large-scale red-carpet event experience for her clients. Pristina has worked for top PR firms in New York City and Los Angeles including Rubenstein Communications, 5WPR, MWW, Exposure PR, and Purple PR. She currently is the SVP of Lifestyle + Culture at DKC Public Relations, with a client diverse roster, including brands such as Kappa, Edition Hotels, Moet Hennessy, Collective Design Fair, 1800 Tequila, Jose Cuervo, Viola Cannabis, FaZe Clan, BMW, Skullcandy headphones, and more. Most recently Pristina launched DKCulture, a division of DKC dedicated to bridging the gap between "the culture" (i.