CARMEN MCNEIL, As a Facilitator, Educator, and Period of Empowerment™ Guide, Dr. Carmen McNeil is committed to helping girls and women understand how impressive they really are.  She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, is a tenured professor, as well as a graduate of the California Black Women’s Health Project Advocacy Training Program. 

Dr. Carmen has been a featured speaker for conferences, women’s organizations, and educational institutions. She pours her 25+ years of  teaching, counseling, and training into supporting Power Parents and Community Influencers raising black girls; facilitating empowerment camps and workshops; and helping to lead the culture-shift around menstruation via her Power to the Period™, Rock with Your Menstrual Rhythm™, and Daring Daddies of Daughters™ workshops. Carmen is a devoted wife and proud mama of a teenage son.

Experience

• Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology - Boston College
• Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology - Saybrook University
• Coach for Life Graduate
• California Black Women’s Health Project Advocacy Training Program Graduate
• Black Women’s Media and Wellness Project - Workshop Facilitator - “Rock with Your Menstrual Rhythm”
• Berkeley Youth Alternatives - Family Counselor/Case Manager
• Community College Counselor and Psychology Professor
• Milestones Human Services - Coordinator of Women’s Services/Case Manager
• Sunny Side High School, Fresno, CA Young Women’s Conference Workshop Presenter - “Taking Care of #1 - YOU” 
• Co-facilitator Teen Life Challenge Staff Retreat
• Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s Women in Health Luncheon Series - Keynote speaker - “Stress Management for the Woman On-the-go”
• Contra Costa College’s Community Dialog on the Covenant with Black America - Panelist
• Western Regional Council on Black American Affairs Workshop Presenter -  “Leadership with Ease and Grace”
• California Child Care Resource & Referral Network’s Annual Conference Workshop Presenter - “Choose to Stress Less”
• San Bernardino County KidsNCare Staff Development Training 
• Women’s Spiritual Koinonia Annual Retreat, Youth Workshop Facilitator - “Developing Your Path to a Prosperous Future”
• American Business Women’s Association Cities by the Bay Chapter - Facilitator
• The Sacramento and Berkeley Bay Area Alumni chapters of Delta Sigma Theta’s Youth Initiative Programs - “Power to the Period”
• African American Health Summit - Workshop Facilitator - “Creating a Powerful Legacy through Your Child’s Nutrition”
• Diablo Valley College Professional Development Workshop Presenter - “Secrets to Ease on Down Your Yellow Brick Road'
  

Fun Facts

• I established the Waggin’ Tales Reading Program at the San Pablo Library in 2011.  A weekly canine-assisted reading program for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade, our program partnered with the East Bay SPCA which provided social therapy dogs to enhance children’s enjoyment of reading.  The dogs helped to create a fun environment, provided unconditional positive regard, and enhanced the social aspect of reading.  It was amazing!  Children who initially didn’t like to read, eventually wanted to practice reading at home so that they’d be ready to read to the dogs on Saturdays!
  
• I love to work with my hands and enjoy making jewelry, sewing, and restoring salvaged furniture.  I’m a woodworker wannabe and love to get my hands on power tools!  I have lots of creative ideas swirling in my head, so when we meet, be sure to ask me what ideas I’m currently thinking about!  
• Although I’m no longer a dog mom, I go for walks at the Point Isabel Dog Park in Richmond, to get my “doggie fix”.  I love watching them run and play…ears flopping and tails wagging.
• I used to model professionally in local fashion shows.  I enjoyed playing dress up and embodying different personalities.
• I’m an introvert!  Over the years, I’ve learned how to extrovert myself in ways that feel comfortable to me, and it’s important that I take time to recharge by myself.
• I’m a community college graduate and believe in the power of a community college education.