Dr. Thulani A. DeMarsay is the visionary founder and Chief Impact Officer of the
Sankofa Institute for Collective Wellbeing, which provides culturally responsive learning
experiences and healing circles with a focus on Black communities. Through the
Sankofa Institute, Thulani and her team create spaces for healing, growth, and
empowerment, supporting individuals and communities on their recovery and wellness
journeys.
A Boston native and person in long-term recovery, Thulani brings over two decades of
experience devoted to fostering healing through the values of community,
interconnectedness, and collective wellbeing. Her work is deeply rooted in Indigenous
wisdom and the African philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are." Thulani’s
recovery framework seamlessly integrates traditional healing practices with modern
methodologies, offering transformative pathways that resonate on both an individual
and communal level.
For nearly a decade, Thulani served as a senior facilitator and consultant for the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Bureau of Substance Addiction Services
(BSAS), where she led transformative trainings for the peer recovery community across
the state, mentored facilitators, contributed to the development of a statewide recovery
coach learning community, and designed curriculums that emphasize cultural
competence and inclusive care.
In addition, Thulani has developed and delivered customized training programs for
numerous organizations, including Boston Medical Center, the MA Public Health
Commission, Mass General Brigham, the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction
Recovery (MOAR), the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and the Rosebud Indian
Reservation in South Dakota. Her work continues to inspire transformation by uplifting
ancestral knowledge and honoring diverse pathways to recovery.
Thulani is the author of Contemplative Leadership, a guide for leaders navigating
organizational disruption and change. This book offers practical strategies for those who
wish to lead from a place of mindfulness and inner wisdom, helping them harness their
inner strength to create meaningful, sustainable change in their organizations.
In addition to her work with Sankofa, Thulani maintains a private practice at Internal
Wellness in Braintree, MA, where she offers recovery and wellness-based services that
integrate holistic practices and cultural responsiveness to meet the unique needs of
each individual.
Thulani holds a BS in Psychology and a Master of Management in Leadership &
Organizational Dynamics from Cambridge College, as well as a master’s degree and
PhD in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University.