Lived Expert Advocacy, LLC
Policy consulting, training, and advocacy grounded in lived expertise, equity, and sustainable implementation across New England and beyond.
LExA works to transform how institutions across Rhode Island and New England understand, value, and integrate the voices of those with lived experience across every service array.
We focus on strengthening the systems with the greatest impact on youth, families, and communities — including child welfare, housing, behavioral health, education, juvenile justice, and policy reform.
When lived expertise is backed by professional capacity, together they form one of the strongest sources of credibility and leadership. Meaningful systems change can only happen when the people most directly impacted are leading the conversation, shaping the solutions, and defining what success looks like.
Comprehensive consulting, training, and advocacy that centers lived expertise at every stage of systems change.
Actionable policy recommendations and system-change plans that are trauma-informed, equity-centered, and implementable by agencies or legislatures.
Learn more →Align your organization's resources, programs, and people to a measurable strategy that advances mission and systems change.
Learn more →Build ethical, scalable ways to embed people with lived experience into governance, design, and service delivery.
Learn more →Build skills and cultural capacity to carry forward systems change and trauma-informed practice using experiential, adult-learning methods.
Learn more →Build public and political will for policy reforms through strategic communications, coalition building, and ethical storytelling.
Learn more →Confidential strategic advising and coaching for executives and commissioners navigating complex policy and operational environments.
Learn more →Every engagement follows a structured, transparent workflow — with lived expertise embedded at each stage.
Every engagement, every deliverable, and every decision is grounded in these commitments.
Environments that minimize harm, respect boundaries, and protect emotional and psychological well-being without requiring disclosure.
Lived experts hold real influence — not symbolic participation. Professional and experiential knowledge operate as equal partners.
Participation is always voluntary, informed, and revocable. Contributors control how their input and narratives are used.
Lived experience is expertise and must be compensated fairly, transparently, and consistently — equivalent to professional consultants.
Reforms built to last — financially feasible, operationally realistic, and able to endure leadership changes and budget shifts.
Lived experience is not a resource to be mined. Storytellers retain ownership, and dignity is protected at every stage.
Three tiers of lived-experience professionals, each with distinct roles, competencies, and scope of engagement.
Lived Experience Consultant — provides insight and feedback rooted in direct personal system involvement.
Lived Expert Consultant — seasoned professional providing strategic advising and co-leadership.
Lived Expert Advocate — full professional consultant with equal standing to subject-matter experts.
Let's create something humane, equitable, and effective — together.
We'd love to learn about your work and explore how LExA can support your goals.
For every engagement
We embed at least one lived expert in design and ensure payment and supports are budgeted from the start.