Survivor-Led Systems Strategist + Organizational Change Consulting
Innovative Solutions to Evolving Societies.
Stephanie Atwood is the founder of ElevateHER and a National Expert in ethically integrating survivor voices into policy, program design, and organizational practice. Stephanie is known for seeing the gap between Intention and Impact, and knowing exactly how to close it.
This consulting work is offered by Stephanie Atwood, and is focused on supporting organizations, governments, and institutions in building ethical, survivor-led systems.
Hello, I am Stephanie Atwood, and in addition to being an Author and the Founder of ElevateHER, I help organizations do survivor-led work—Ethically and Effectively. Many organizations want to be survivor-centred—but the gap between intention and impact is often wide. That’s where I come in.
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With a decade of experience designing national programs, advising nonprofits and governments, training staff, and developing lived-experience frameworks, I support organizations in building systems that truly reflect what survivors need and want, using my signature framework The ELEVATE Method™ — a creative, proprietary strategy system for survivor led, organizational growth.
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My work is grounded in:
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trauma-informed practice
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ethical lived-experience integration
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evidence-based program design
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innovative and creative solutions
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reducing tokenism and harm
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building sustainable, supportive structures for both survivors and staff
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You don’t need more programs—you need the right ones, built the right way, with survivors at the centre.
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The ELEVATE Method™
The ELEVATE Method™ is my Survivor-Informed Framework for Ethical, Trauma-Informed Organizational Transformation.
It is used for assessing organizational readiness, identifying gaps in survivor-informed practice, and building clear, ethical, actionable strategies for systems change. This method blends innovation, trauma-informed strategy, and lived-experience wisdom — helping organizations move from uncertainty, fragmentation, or tokenism to survivor-centred clarity, structure, and sustainable impact. It is designed specifically for organizations committed to doing survivor-led work responsibly, ethically, and effectively, however the method has also proven successful in start up, innovation and growth, and idea consults.
E — Evaluate: I begin with a deep assessment of your current systems, policies, culture, and practices. We identify what’s working, where harm or gaps may exist, and how survivor voices are currently included — or unintentionally excluded.
L — Locate: Together, we identify the most critical opportunities for growth, safety improvements, and survivor-informed integration. This phase pinpoints the core gaps in trauma-informed practice, staff capacity, lived-experience engagement, and organizational systems.
E — Envision: We co-create a vision for what ethical survivor-led work looks like in your organization — rooted in lived experience, evidence-based practice, and real community needs.
This stage is where we imagine systems that honour survivors without tokenism, support staff wellness, and build structures that actually work.
V — Validate: Ideas and strategies are tested and refined through a trauma-informed, ethical lens.
We ensure recommendations are safe, realistic, sustainable, and supportive of both survivors and staff.
A — Activate: You receive a clear roadmap with step-by-step actions for implementing survivor-led practice across your organization — policies, programs, training, culture, and leadership. This includes: implementation timelines, trauma-informed communication guidance, practical tools for engaging lived experience ethically.
T — Transform: This is where real systems change happens. Through supported implementation, coaching, and accountability, your organization begins embedding survivor voices in meaningful, sustainable, and ethical ways.
E — Empower: This final phase builds your long-term capacity. You receive tools, frameworks, and guidance to ensure survivor-led work continues safely, ethically, and confidently — long after the initial project is complete. Your team becomes empowered to uphold survivor-centred values, support lived-experience leadership, and maintain systems rooted in safety and respect.
How I Support Organizations
Survivor-Informed Policy Review & Development
I help organizations revise, build, and implement policies that centre lived experience, reduce harm, and strengthen safety for both staff and survivors.
Ethical Lived-Experience Integration Consulting
Frameworks, strategies, and structures that move your organization beyond tokenism toward authentic, ethical involvement of survivors.
Train-the-Trainer & Capacity Building
Customized training for staff, leaders, and facilitators—grounded in trauma-informed practice, boundary-setting, safety, and sustainable survivor-centred systems.
Program + Curriculum Development
From concept to facilitation, I design survivor-led programs that deliver real impact, meet funding requirements, and reflect survivor needs. I create adaptable tools, facilitator guides, and participant resources that empower learners and organizations to deliver meaningful, lasting impact.
Speaking + Workshops
Keynotes, training sessions, and expert presentations on survivor-led systems change, ethical program design, human trafficking response, and best practices in lived-experience integration.
Trainer of Trainers - LOVE146
As a certified facilitator and one of only two organizations in Canada authorized to train-the-trainer in the #notanumber® curriculum, I am qualified to deliver comprehensive Train-the-Trainer sessions to organizations, schools, and service providers. My training equips new facilitators with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver the full notanumber® prevention program with fidelity. This includes grounded instruction in trafficking and exploitation dynamics, trauma-informed approaches, program delivery methods, participant engagement strategies, and all required safety protocols. Upon completion, trainers are fully prepared and certified to deliver the program within their own agencies or communities. The material is adapted to suit unique community and organizational needs (Indigenous, BIPOC, rural etc.)
Start Up & Creative Consulting
​ I help entrepreneurs, organizations, and changemakers bring bold ideas to life—strategically and sustainably. My consulting combines business development with creative innovation to turn concepts into action. Whether launching a new venture, building a non-profit, or designing programs and initiatives that bridge service gaps and boost impact, I offer clarity, structure, and creative insight every step of the way. Together, we’ll transform ideas into purposeful growth, increased income, and meaningful community change.
Growth & Innovative Planning
When you’re ready to move beyond the start-up stage, I help you scale, evolve, and innovate with purpose. My growth and innovation plans are designed for established programs, small businesses, and organizations looking to expand their reach, strengthen sustainability, and stay ahead of change. Together, we’ll assess what’s working, identify new opportunities, and design creative, actionable strategies that position you for long-term success and impact.
Idea & Strategy Sessions
Sometimes all you need is clarity—and a fresh perspective. My idea and strategy sessions are designed to help you untangle your thoughts, refine your vision, and map out clear, actionable steps forward. Whether you’re developing a new program, exploring income streams, or reimagining your next move, I help you see the bigger picture and identify creative, strategic pathways to bring your ideas to life.
Why Work with Me?
Most organizations want to involve survivors—few know how to do it ethically.
​I come with my own lived experience, combined with an unconventional educational background, experience and knowledge from across a variety of community sectors. With this, I provide:
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Clear frameworks that prevent tokenism
Practical tools for implementation
Survivor-centred strategies rooted in real needs
Support for staff wellness and safety
Sustainable system change, not one-off projects
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The outcome of working with me? Stronger programs, safer systems, and more meaningful involvement of survivors at every level.
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Work with Me
Ideal Partners include: Nonprofits and community organizations, public sector and government agencies, national networks and coalitions, healthcare and social service providers, foundations and funders seeking survivor-centred strategy, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, start-ups and mid-level corporations.
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Let’s Build Ethical, Survivor-Led Systems Together.
Whether you need a full program built, policies revised, or staff trained—I can help you create sustainable, survivor-centred structures that work.
Step #1: Free Introductory Call – 20 minutes → to understand goals, fit, and needs.
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Step #2: ELEVATE Diagnostic Session (paid clarity session) – 60–90 minutes → to assess what’s going on, brainstorm strategies, and determine a custom roadmap.
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Step #3: Custom Proposal Sent → includes 2–3 tailored options (based on hours or deliverables) + pricing.
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Step #4: Decision Process → You choose the option and package that suits your budget and level of engagement.
Step #5: Implementation or Retainer Work → I do my work, and then help you execute, empower and evolve.