Jody Talkington works for First 5 Alameda County as the Strategic Initiatives and Planning Officer. Jody facilitates and coordinates agency-wide initiatives, including the Oakland Children’s Initiative. Prior to working at First 5, Jody worked at Oakland Unified School District for 18 years and was most recently the Senior Director of Strategic Projects for the Superintendent. She was responsible for development and implementation of OUSD’s strategic plan, and was the liaison for staff and OUSD Board of Education communications. She is trained in Hakomi Somatic Mindful Psychology, Strozzi Institute Embodied Leadership, Matrix Leadership Organization & Group Transformation and Somatic Abolitionism for Racial Equity.