The people behind Human Repair Workshop.
Human Repair Workshop brings together people with experience in education, nonprofit leadership, public service, organizational learning, and community work.
We've worked inside the kinds of organizations we now support. That experience informs how we listen, what we notice, and how we design our work with others.
We're a Michigan-based team working with organizations and communities across the state and beyond.
Our mission.
Human Repair Workshop helps people work together more effectively and sustainably. Through training, facilitation, and practical support, we strengthen the abilities, relationships, and working practices that help people act together, navigate difficulty, learn, and adapt. We care about the results of that work and the people involved in producing them.
Our vision.
We envision workplaces and communities where people can contribute what they know, collaborate across differences, make decisions together, and address difficulties with care and accountability. Organizations have the relationships and practices to respond to change and sustain meaningful progress over time.
Brooke Albert
FounderBrooke embodies the healing-centered practice that made Human Repair Workshop possible. Its frameworks, methodology, and learning philosophy grew out of more than two decades of her work in organizational learning, restorative practices, and facilitation.
She guides HRW's ongoing development of its frameworks, learning design, and collaborative work, and serves as the primary thought partner when a client wants to explore or design for meaningful change.
She brings a particular ability to recognize connections others may not have noticed, ask questions that deepen understanding, and help people see their circumstances and possibilities in a new light.
“Relational capacity is the hinge. It's where what people can do on their own becomes what they can do together.”
Brooke Albert
Our team.
Each member of our team brings a different perspective and area of expertise. We develop our work together and build each engagement around the people and skills it needs.
Monica Rodriguez
CEOMonica brings experience in nonprofit leadership, strategy, communications, and managing complex initiatives involving multiple organizations. She helps turn ideas into clear plans, organize the people and resources needed to carry them out, and establish practical ways to make decisions and track progress.
At HRW, Monica leads organizational strategy, operations, and client engagements. She works closely with partners to understand what they want to accomplish, identify what the work requires, and build the structure and support to move it forward.
Sarah Zyburt
Chief Partnership OfficerSarah brings experience in relationship development, strategic partnerships, and collaborative initiatives. She helps organizations recognize shared interests, build productive relationships, and find opportunities to work together.
At HRW, Sarah leads partnership development and helps connect organizations, resources, and ideas. Her work supports collaborations that are purposeful, practical, and built to last.
Effie Alofoje-Carr
Lead Trainer & FacilitatorEffie brings experience in training, facilitation, and supporting people through learning and change. She creates environments where participants feel welcomed, can contribute their experiences, and have opportunities to practice new skills.
At HRW, Effie leads trainings and facilitated conversations that help people reflect, learn from one another, and apply what they learn to their everyday work.
What we believe about people and work.
These beliefs guide how we understand people, design learning experiences, and work alongside organizations.
People have inherent worth.
Everyone deserves dignity, care, and opportunities to contribute. We approach people with respect for their experiences, abilities, and perspectives.
People and their circumstances are connected.
Our experiences, relationships, responsibilities, and environments influence what we can do. Understanding those connections helps us look beyond the individual when we consider what could change.
Care and accountability belong together.
We believe people can take responsibility, address harm, and make changes while being treated with dignity. Both care and accountability are necessary for healthy relationships and progress.
People can learn, change, and grow.
We believe people have the capacity to develop new skills, deepen their understanding, and discover new possibilities. We approach our own work with that same openness to learning.
What you can expect from us.
Our beliefs guide the choices we make in every engagement.
- We take time to understand. We learn about the people involved, your goals, and your circumstances before recommending an approach. We ask questions, listen carefully, and build on what you already know.
- We design with people. We involve the people closest to the work and draw on their knowledge and experience. We make room for different perspectives and create opportunities for people to contribute.
- We follow through. We make agreements clear, communicate throughout the work, and provide practical materials and support that help people keep using what they learned.
Ways to work with us.
We work directly with organizations and partner on funded initiatives involving training, facilitation, organizational learning, and coordination across organizations.
If you're considering a project, developing a partnership, or exploring how we might work together, we'd welcome a conversation.