Subject Matter Experts
Peopling’s experts are educators, psychologists, coaches, and thought leaders who bring deep experience—and deeper humanity—to their work. Each contributes original content, insight, and guidance to shape the learning experiences we offer.
While their areas of expertise range from neurodiversity and parenting to language, leadership, and wellbeing, they share a common ethos: a belief in possibility over pathology, relationships over transactions, and learning that honors the whole person.
Together, they help Peopling stay grounded in research, alive to human complexity, and committed to making growth feel both personal and possible.
Mike Haykin, Haykin Consulting
For over 45 years, Mike Haykin has helped children, adolescents, and young adults uncover their talents and find their unique path in life. As he puts it, “You do something long enough, you learn something—and you get a couple things right.”
Mike has designed and led programs in schools and healthcare settings that strengthen learning, mental health, and family relationships. He began his career with Project HELDS, a national grant supporting college students with learning disabilities, and went on to teach special education, transforming a self-contained behavior program into a successful inclusion model. He later established counseling services in six public elementary schools and study skills programs in middle schools.
For 23 years, Mike served at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS), where he developed the Learning Support Program, led the Counseling Department, and served as Assistant Head of School. He has also provided assessment and consultation in hospitals, coauthored several books—including Leadership in Behavior Support and Meaningful Work—and advised numerous boards and organizations, from children’s hospitals to community nonprofits like Sharing the Stage.
Mike holds a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Washington, a degree in Special Education from Central Washington University, and administrative certification from Gonzaga University.
When he’s not helping families, you’ll find him outdoors—on the water, camera in hand, or exploring history and culture somewhere between Taiwan, Alaska, and Central America. His favorite new role? Grandpa.
In appreciation and memory of your wisdom, model and influence: Myrtle Clyde- Snyder, Wadell Snyder, Kim Marcum, Hussein Bashey, Karen Hagen, Martin Haykin. Thank you for your ongoing influence, integrity, wisdom and support: JO and Mary Pat Osterhaus, Steve Morris, Michael Hagen, Joe Puggelli and Jean Orvis.
And love and gratitude to my family and many friends.
Tabitha Ellison & Joanna Brodziak
Shifted Perspectives
ShiftEd Perspectives partners with schools, families, and organizations to redefine how we understand and support disability. Grounded in the social model of disability, the neurodiversity paradigm, and educational neuroscience, our approach shifts the focus from “fixing” individuals to redesigning environments that remove barriers and promote access, regulation, and belonging.
Meet the founders:
Tabitha began with traditional compliance-based educational methods, but experienced a transformative shift when she embraced neuroscience and neurodiversity. With an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and a seat on the executive board of Neural Education, she focuses on autonomy, self‐efficacy, and inclusive supports tailored to individual needs.
Joanna brings extensive experience in education and disability advocacy across schools, nonprofits, and home-based services. A seasoned Inclusive Education Specialist, she centers the perspectives of those most marginalized and collaborates with teams to create accessible, co-designed environments.
Through professional learning, consulting, and coaching, we collaborate with you to co-create inclusive spaces where every child, and the adults who support them, can truly thrive.
Asli Aker is a co-founder in Peopling and is an executive coach and global leadership expert who helps people lead with clarity, courage, and connection. With more than 20 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and startup worlds—including senior roles at Microsoft—she brings a grounded, cross-cultural perspective to every conversation.
At Peopling, Asli draws on her deep understanding of human behavior and systems change to help individuals and groups explore how connection and communication shape growth.
Her coaching and facilitation are both strategic and personal—rooted in empathy, authenticity, and her own lived experience of navigating complexity across cultures and roles.
Asli leads Peopling’s Community Memberships.