Welcome to traceymichellecrawford.com
"Welcome! I'm truly glad you're here. My passion is helping people discover their strengths, grow as leaders, and build workplaces where every person feels valued, supported, and inspired to thrive. I believe learning should be engaging, practical, and transformational—because the best leadership begins with meaningful conversations, genuine connection, and a commitment to helping others succeed."
Leadership Grounded in Experience
Tracey Michelle Crawford brings more than three decades of leadership, organizational development, facilitation, and professional experience to every engagement.
Her career has included executive leadership, national and state professional service, organizational strategy, workforce development, coaching, and the development of programs that have reached professionals across more than 100 agencies.
But experience alone doesn't create change.
Tracey's approach centers on people. She creates environments where leaders can think differently, teams can have meaningful conversations, and organizations can move from good intentions to purposeful action.
Her work is practical, engaging, and grounded in a simple belief: when people grow, organizations grow with them.
Experienced
More than 30 years of leadership experience transformed into practical guidance that organizations can use.
Engaging
Creates meaningful learning experiences that encourage participation, reflection, and real conversation.
Impact-Driven
Helps leaders and teams turn insight into action that creates lasting organizational change.
Meet Tracey Crawford
Strategic Voice. Inclusive Vision. Proven Impact.
Hello, my name is Tracey Crawford, and I am a lifelong believer in people, purpose, and possibility.
For more than three decades, I have worked at the intersection of leadership, inclusion, and community, helping individuals and organizations grow stronger, more connected, and more courageous. My work has always centered around one question: How can we lead with both strategy and heart?
I am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) who has spent my career helping others build environments where every person feels seen, valued, and included. From leading a $5.7 million public agency to facilitating intimate Safe Zone Conversations, I have learned that inclusion is not a program, it is a practice, and it starts with how we show up for each other.
Today, as Senior Learning Strategist for Access to Growth Learning Solutions, I partner with public agencies, nonprofits, companies, and boards nationwide to deliver leadership development, strategic planning, compliance, and DEI trainings that bring their values to life. I love guiding teams through big conversations about belonging, accountability, courage, and the power of language, while watching for those “aha” moments that spark real change.
Before consulting, I spent more than a decade as Executive Director of the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) and President of the Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF). Those years taught me the heart of leadership: building trust, celebrating progress, and making sure that every decision circles back to the people who we served.
Along the way, I have been honored to receive awards such as the Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award, Excellence in Inclusion Award, and Influential Women in Business Award, but what I am most proud of is the network of incredible people that I have had the privilege to lead, mentor, and learn from.
What I Believe
Leadership should be courageous, collaborative, and compassionate.
Growth happens when we make space for honesty.
And every person, no matter what their title, background, or ability, deserves to feel that they belong.
These beliefs guide everything I do, whether I am facilitating a strategic planning session, coaching a new executive, or mentoring emerging leaders who are finding their own voices.
A Few Highlights Along the Way
- Past President, American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA)
- Co-Chair, AAPRA Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Committee
- Past President, American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)
- Past Chair, Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) Board of Directors
- Board Member, Illinois Recreation Therapists Association (ILRTA), IPRA Foundation, Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce
- Co-Creator, Safe Zone Conversation Model used by more than 100 park and recreation agencies across the country
A Personal Note
If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that growth never stops.
I have been blessed to spend my career helping others discover their own potential, whether that is a young professional stepping into leadership for the first time or a board rediscovering its shared purpose.
When I am not facilitating, speaking, or coaching, you will find me cheering on others’ success, volunteering at Miss America as a Delegate Coordinator watching young women live their dreams, or creating my “Love Tracey” handbags, one-of-a-kind pieces crafted from vintage purses and bags.
I also love decorating spaces that inspire joy and connection and spending time with my family, always with coffee or wine in hand, depending on the moment.
Because at the end of the day, my work—and my life—are about one simple truth:
When we lead with heart, we create change that lasts.
Delving Deeper for Lasting Solutions
At Access to Growth Learning Solutions, we specialize in empowering organizations across diverse sectors – Education, Military, local and state government, healthcare, professional membership associations, and manufacturing – to eliminate waste and maximize efficiency. Our dedicated approach is designed to address the challenges that hinder your organization’s progress. We understand that waste comes in various forms, be it lost time, untapped resources, or inefficient processes.
Access to growth is committed to propelling your organization towards excellence. With a focus on identifying and overcoming people and process challenges, we specialize in crafting tailored learning resources and process improvement strategies that drive productivity, elevate performance, and ignite a culture of continuous advancement.
Meet Oralethea Davenport, CPRP -Leadership. Belonging. Community.
Oralethea Davenport is a respected parks and recreation leader with more than 20 years of experience building stronger teams, creating inclusive environments, and helping communities thrive. She currently serves as Superintendent of Recreation for the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District, where she provides strategic leadership across recreation services, facilities, staff development, and community engagement.
Known for her collaborative and people-centered approach, Oralethea believes strong organizations begin with strong people. Her work spans leadership development, organizational culture, community engagement, equity and belonging, team development, and mentoring emerging professionals.
Oralethea is also an active leader within the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and is a co-creator and lead facilitator of Safe Zone Conversations, helping create spaces where people can engage in meaningful dialogue, strengthen understanding, and build cultures where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.
Creating stronger people, stronger organizations, and more connected communities.
Where Education Meets Professional Growth
Tracey Michelle Crawford partners with Harper Business College to deliver practical, people-centered learning experiences designed for today’s evolving workplace.
Through customized workshops, professional development, leadership training, and consulting, this collaboration bridges education and real-world application, helping individuals strengthen their skills, organizations develop their people, and professionals prepare for what comes next.
Learn. Lead. Grow.
Building Skills. Strengthening Careers. Creating Opportunity.
Tracey Michelle Crawford partners with Triton College’s School of Continuing Education to support professional development, workforce readiness, customized training, and lifelong learning.
Through customized training, workshops, and practical learning experiences, Tracey helps organizations address their unique workforce and professional development needs. Programs can be tailored to strengthen leadership, workplace effectiveness, communication, team development, and other skills essential to organizational success.
By combining Tracey’s real-world expertise with Triton College’s commitment to continuing education and workforce development, the partnership creates relevant learning experiences that help individuals grow, teams perform more effectively, and organizations build stronger workforces.
Customized Learning. Practical Skills. Stronger Workforces.