Introducing Your Guides
Our experts bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a love for purposeful work, thoughtful design, and real connection. Get to know our intentionally curated collective.
Executive Director, Strategy & Transformation
Keshni N. Washington,
B.S. (ComputerScience), MBA, PMP
Keshni is a senior program and transformation leader with over 15 years of global experience across Africa, the UK, and the United States. PMP-certified and MBA-trained, she has led complex initiatives across financial services, international development, government, and environmental sectors.
At TK Institute, she guides leaders designing PMOs, delivering systems, and adapting frameworks that align people, purpose, and performance, with a “future-proofing” mindset for an AI augmented world. A published writer and professional speaker, Keshni bridges technology and storytelling, equally at home translating complex systems for executives or on stage at storytelling events in Washington, D.C.
Executive Director, Story & Performance Strategy
Tara Samuel
Tara is a Canadian-American storyteller, producer, director, and professor specializing in narrative strategy, executive presence, and embodied communication. An award-winning actor and filmmaker, she has led and taught storytelling across higher education, film, and leadership contexts.
At TK Institute, Tara guides executives in refining their story, elevating their presence, and communicating with authority in high-stakes environments, from keynotes and shareholder meetings to media and mission-critical moments. She believes that resonant leadership communication is rooted in vulnerability and the courage to be fully seen, where authenticity becomes a source of influence and trust.
Denise is a trusted senior advisor specializing in organizational well-being, inclusive leadership, and culture change. A former labor and employment attorney, she brings strategic rigor and contemplative depth to executive and institutional transformation. Through her work with The Still Center, Denise supports leaders in building psychologically safe, values-aligned organizations capable of sustained impact. Denise’s work is informed by decades of experience spanning legal, financial, and academic arenas. She is also an author and a sought after speaker.
Executive Advisor, Organizational Culture & Well-Being
Denise A. Robinson
Ariel is a results-driven operations and communications senior leader with nearly a decade of experience in program and project management, content strategy, and stakeholder engagement. She partners with organizations to streamline initiatives, elevate narrative coherence, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration. Ariel’s blend of operational rigor and communicative clarity enhances organizational alignment and execution excellence. Grounded in her work as a writer, she brings a deep sensitivity to voice strengthening how institutions communicate purpose and impact.
Executive Advisor, Communications & Program Enablement
Ariel Mendez
