Welcome to one of my websites! I am an award-winning educator, policy adviser, change-leader, diversity expert, dialogue facilitator, lecturer, moderator, administrator, adjudicator, director, civic leader, and curriculum & content developer. I conduct a variety of professional trainings and workshops on equity, education and leadership throughout the U.S. and around the world.

Born in Oakland, California, and now residing in Hartford, Connecticut, I am available for consulting on a wide array of professional development and community-building initiatives. I work with nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies to develop personalized professional development training. I can support strategic planning, presentations, keynotes, teacher development, moderation, adjudication, and program assessment. My pioneering work in establishing cross-sector partnerships and building creative collaborations and culturally-informed spaces across industries and sectors.

Most recently, I served as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Education for Brandeis University. In this role, I was responsible for supporting over 6,000 students, staff, and faculty in cultivating an equity lens in teaching, learning, and relationship-building. We addressed issues of critical dialogue across differences, antisemitism, racism, bias, culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy, and inclusive education.

I was formerly the first-ever Director of Diversity, Equity and Community for San Francisco Opera, where I developed curriculum, conducted research, and led a distinguished team of professionals who advised SF Opera on all diversity and equity initiatives. In this challenging role, we sought to create an opera world that is more diverse and inclusive both on the stage and behind the scenes. Because of this work, I bring dedication and intentionality to advancing racial equity in the arts and community as I strive to build a more socially just world through the lens and practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I seek to embody a bold new vision for community development that leverages the arts and culture sector to build lasting cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity.

As a diversity and equity expert, I advise organizations, universities, and governments on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. I activate as a creative, thoughtful thinker and role model for inclusive excellence, with knowledge of innovative, emerging practices in the education and business sectors, and demonstrable success in leading meaningful, accountable organizational change. As equity lead, I harness nuanced and mature emotional and social intelligence capabilities as well as cultural competence and advanced communication skills –nurturing cooperative relationships and fostering courageous conversations to unify the community around an enduring strategic vision for the dignity of all. I use authentic data and research to create measurable goals and accountability markers.

I previously served as a designated “Professional Expert” at the Alameda County Office of Education for over ten years, where I worked as senior faculty adviser for the Integrated Learning Specialist Program, a professional development program consisting of a network of graduate coursework. In this role, I have taught hundreds of teachers, administrators, and teaching artists throughout the nine Bay Area counties and beyond. This landmark pedagogy has become a foundation for creating anti-racist curricula and culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy that benefit everyone.

I am proud to serve on the Leadership Council and Chair the Equity Committee for the statewide arts advocacy organization, Create California. Create CA is a coalition of dedicated and innovative leaders who understand that together we have the power to create lasting change for every California student. Our mission is to ensure ALL students can reach their full potential by advancing an educational model that promotes creativity and the arts for tomorrow’s workforce. Creativity is not optional!

I hold two undergraduate Degrees – Psychology and Sociology. I earned my Master’s Degree from Boston’s Lesley University – Graduate degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Arts Integration. I hold a Doctorate in Transformative Studies in Education from The California Institute for Integral Studies, with my research focusing on Emancipatory Pedagogy and a framework for inclusive education.

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Mc Neal Consulting LLC

“Culture Conscious Advisors“

• We possess extensive expertise in equity, education, and professional development and are equipped to provide guidance and mentorship on all facets of change management, leadership development, DEIB education, and cultural training. Our approach ensures consistency, care, and tailored solutions for every project.

Arts Education

We are experts in arts education and arts integration. Do you want to create a new program? Do you need a formative or summative Assessment? Perhaps you need to update the curriculum or design an anti-racist component? We are here to help.

Culturally Conscious Performing Arts Advisors

As the world of the performing arts moves to a more equitable, more diverse construct, challenges emerge. Oftentimes producers, directors and even intimacy coordinators do not know how to negotiate the inclusion of culturally and racially diverse subject matter content. Actors, singers, dancer and all performers deserve access to supportive facilitators who can make sense of racially-charged material in a way that does not cause emotional and psychic harm to people of color, or anyone.

Coaching for executives and CEO’s

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The White-washed history of racial violence in America and the untold story of resistance.

This is a Resource Example: We provide a plethora of links, resources, tools, and handouts (in all training sessions)

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Professional associations and accomplishments run the gamut from community-based organizations to schools and school districts to federal agencies and governments.

“We believe in human potential, and the possibility of transformative Learning“

Chip Mc Neal 2026

Key Consultations & Collaborations:

• University of California, San Francisco
• Manhattan School of Music
• San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• CAL Performances
• Stanford University
• Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Opera America
• The National Endowment for the Arts
• The Kennedy Center
• The California Arts Council
• The California State Department of Education
• Cincinnati Opera
• Trinity College of Hartford
• The Edinburgh International Arts Festival

Awards & Distinctions:

• Brandeis Career Hero (2023)
• Manhattan School of Music 2020-2021 Artist Equity Scholar in Residence (2021)
• Mensbook.com “Men working to change the world” (2020)
• Mensbook.com’s “Movers and Shakers” (2019)
• Yale University School of Music’s Distinguished Music Educator (2015)
• Future of Learning Institute Fellowship, Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education (2012)
• S.F. Mayor’s Proclamation & Commendation for producing Bay Area Natl. Arts Education Week (2011)
• CA State Legislature Commendation for “Significant contribution to the people of San Francisco” (2010)
• Certified Integrated Learning Specialist Certificate (2010)
• San Francisco Unified School District’s Dream Catcher Award (2009)
• Certified Oral Historian (2005)
• Levi Strauss & Co. Award for Outstanding Teachers and Administrators in the Arts (2004)
• Bernard Osher Cultural Award for Public Service (1994)

“My dream is share my knowledge and experience with the widest possible audience, as I leverage my creative talent and expertise to create a visionary and revolutionary pedagogical framework that serves black and brown students, giving them the creative edge to dare to dream big, to have hope, and to thrive in the uncertain world of the 21st century.”

Charles Chip Mc Neal 2020

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

– Maya Angelou

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