Nicole Devereaux

Law student, American University Washington College of Law

Nicole Devereaux (she/her) has spent nearly 20 years helping people engage in their most important conversations. As a certified Conversational Intelligence® coach, Nicole facilitated innovative conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion practices at public interest organizations, including the New York City Department of Health and the National Housing Trust in Washington, D.C.

Nicole was also an anti-bias trainer with AmazeWorks. In that role, she led conversations in K-12 schools about identity, differences, stereotypes, and taking action against bias-based mistreatment. Formerly, Nicole served at a women’s crisis center in Minneapolis. Initially hired to launch a material assistance program, she was inspired by conversations with clients to co-create an education program to support their parenting journeys, mental health, job readiness, and financial freedom. Nicole is also a Restorative Circle Keeper and Nonviolent Communication practitioner. She has planted non-denominational churches in Minneapolis, MN, and Brooklyn, NY, where she provided pro bono lay counseling and conflict resolution, and welcomed hundreds of neighbors around her table.

For her 40th birthday, Nicole fundraised $40,000. She donated the funds to nonprofits serving refugees, female entrepreneurs, and survivors of sex trafficking. Nicole spent two years living in a motorhome and traveling across the U.S. with her husband, two daughters, and dog before entering law school on a full tuition Public Interest/Public Service scholarship. She is interested in abolishing the prison industrial complex, protecting the civil liberties of marginalized populations, and advocating for the environment.