We recently connected with Dr. Channing Moreland and have shared our conversation below.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I bridge the gap between clinical mental health expertise and organizational strategy in today’s rapidly evolving workplace landscape. As a healthcare strategist, human capital consultant, licensed professional counselor, and organizational development leader with over 16 years of experience, I have established myself as a pioneering force in workplace transformation through evidence-based solutions.
My journey began at the intersection of clinical practice and organizational leadership. As Founder and Principal Consultant at Moreland Counseling & Consulting Group, I recognized early on that employee well-being isn’t just a human resources concern—it’s a strategic business imperative that affects every aspect of organizational performance.
With a doctorate in Leadership & Administration from Point Park University, my approach is distinguished by my unique combination of clinical expertise and business acumen. This powerful blend allows me to develop comprehensive workplace wellness programs that not only support individual employees but also enhance organizational resilience and psychological safety.
I’m most proud of the ripple effect our work creates. When we transform a workplace culture to prioritize mental health and well-being, we’re not just improving that organization—we’re positively impacting families and entire communities. My contributions have earned significant recognition, including Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 (2024) and the Community Service in Mental Health Award (2025) from Washington, DC-based OCTAH Organization for improving mental health access in the Pittsburgh community.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When life presents an opportunity, sometimes the biggest risk is not taking it at all. This was the lesson I learned in January 2021 when I received an invitation that would alter my professional trajectory in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
At the time, I held what many would consider a dream position at a local university. As the leader of a student-led community space, I oversaw person-centered interprofessional services that promoted health and wellness across the lifespan. The role was fulfilling, stable, and aligned with my values of community service and education.
Then came the pivot point: an invitation to join a group private practice as a business partner. Despite having no formal business education or experience in running a company, I chose to step out on faith. Looking back, that decision embodied both tremendous courage and beautiful naivety.
Our early days were marked by rapid growth and exciting milestones. We joined an entrepreneurial incubator program that provided invaluable support with website development, accounting, and back-office operations. We successfully raised capital, signed our first commercial lease, and expanded to a team of eight clinicians. The business was thriving, and the future seemed boundless.
But as many entrepreneurs discover, success often comes with unexpected challenges. The reality of running a healthcare practice began to take its toll. We faced staff turnover – some clinicians pursued their own ventures, others needed to be let go, and finding replacements became increasingly challenging. The administrative burden was relentless: insurance reimbursement battles, frequent audits, and endless documentation requirements.
As Chief Operating Officer, I found myself caught in the classic entrepreneur’s trap – running every aspect of the business while simultaneously working within it. The weight of these dual roles led to rapid burnout. I began experiencing compassion fatigue, and my mental health started to suffer. After much reflection, prayer, and consultation with mentors, I made the difficult decision to sell my shares to my business partner.
But this ending opened the door to a new beginning. Throughout my time running the practice, I had maintained a parallel path as a consultant, both for our practice and independently. This work consistently brought me joy and fulfillment. It allowed me to exercise creativity, build meaningful relationships with executive leaders, and engage in travel for client work. Most importantly, it offered a better exchange rate for my most precious resource: time.
This realization led to my second major pivot. I no longer wanted to simply exchange time for money. Instead, I felt called to make a broader impact by helping organizational leaders better support their employees’ mental health and well-being. My mission evolved into creating inclusive work cultures through customized corporate training, cultural assessments, and organizational development initiatives.
In 2024, I took another leap of faith. I rebranded my consulting services, registered as an official business, and made the conscious choice to focus solely on this path. The transition hasn’t been without its challenges, especially given the current economic climate. But I’m learning to embrace the art of pivoting – of ending one dream to pursue another, on my own terms.
This journey has taught me that pivots aren’t about failure or giving up. They’re about having the wisdom to recognize when it’s time to change direction and the courage to take that step. Sometimes, building the life you truly want requires letting go of the life you thought you wanted.
As I continue to build my consulting practice, I carry with me the lessons learned from each phase of my journey. The experience of running a group practice, though challenging, provided invaluable insights into business operations, team management, and most importantly, self-awareness. These lessons now inform my work with corporate clients, adding depth and authenticity to my consulting practice.
The path of entrepreneurship is rarely straight, and that’s what makes it beautiful. Each pivot is an opportunity for growth, learning, and alignment with our true calling. While the journey continues to present challenges, I’m grateful for each turn in the road that has led me to where I am today.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My journey of resilience began in 2015 when I embarked on pursuing my doctoral degree in leadership and administration. The decision wasn’t merely about career advancement in a competitive field – it was deeply personal. I wanted to set an example for young Black and brown girls, showing them what was possible when you dare to dream big.
Little did I know that my doctoral research would become my sanctuary during one of the most challenging periods of my professional life. As the only Black woman in my department, reporting to three white managers, I experienced firsthand the struggles that many Black women in leadership positions endure: microaggressions, ageism, sexism, and discrimination.
The daily indignities were relentless. My intelligence was routinely questioned, I was spoken over in meetings, and my accomplishments were rarely acknowledged. Eventually, I managed to hire another Black woman, but the weight of these experiences still fell heavily on my shoulders.
The breaking point came during a professional gathering. One of my managers, discussing a successful program I was leading, made an unconscionable reference to “noosing” – complete with a gesture – suggesting this as a response to my supposed overwhelm. While some might dismiss it as poor word choice, I saw it for what it was: a white superior callously evoking the horrific legacy of my ancestors’ suffering.
That night, through tears and trembling hands, I drafted a four-page grievance to human resources, meticulously documenting every instance of intimidation, microaggression, and discrimination I had endured. The response – or lack thereof – from HR left me feeling more isolated than ever. Within a year, I resigned, carrying with me a deep-seated fear of working under white leadership again.
Yet sometimes our deepest wounds become our greatest teachers. During this period, I was conducting research on the lived leadership experiences of Black women working in predominantly white organizations, examining the complex intersectionality of race and gender. My academic work became my therapy, helping me understand that my experiences, while painful, were part of a larger systemic issue that needed addressing.
Life has a way of challenging our assumptions. My next position brought me under the leadership of a white woman who showed me what truly inclusive leadership looks like. She extended trust, demonstrated kindness, and validated my capabilities. This experience helped heal some of my workplace trauma and restored my faith in the possibility of genuine allyship.
The culmination of my resilience came when I earned my doctoral degree and secured a full-time university professor position. For a little girl with humble beginnings, raised in a single-parent household, this achievement meant everything. It wasn’t just a personal victory – it was a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of representation.
Today, I channel my experiences into creating positive change. The professional trauma I endured took years to process, and some scars remain. But I’ve transformed that pain into purpose, partnering with executive leaders to prevent others from enduring similar experiences. My research, combined with my lived experience, enables me to bridge the gap between academic understanding and practical workplace solutions.
Resilience isn’t just about surviving difficult times – it’s about emerging stronger, wiser, and more determined to create change. My journey from experiencing workplace discrimination to earning a doctorate and becoming a change agent in organizational culture exemplifies this truth. Through it all, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just something you have – it’s something you become through facing and overcoming challenges.
The little girl from humble beginnings didn’t just survive; she thrived. And now, she’s helping to build a world where other Black women won’t have to be quite so resilient. Because while resilience is admirable, creating workplaces where such resilience isn’t necessary is the ultimate goal.
Resilience is me. I am resilient. But more importantly, I am using my resilience to pave the way for those who follow, ensuring that their paths might be a little smoother, their burdens a little lighter, and their victories a little sweeter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mccg.info
- Instagram: drmoreland
- Facebook: Channing L. Moreland
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drclmoreland/
Image Credits
Branding Images by Toni Lyn Photography