Dr. Niki Elliott

Dr. Niki Elliott is a visionary educator, speaker, and wellness advocate whose mission is to transform education into a space of healing and inclusion. As the director of CEEN—the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at the University of San Diego—she leads research and training programs that integrate trauma-informed, neuroinclusive strategies into learning communities. Her work spans over 30 years of teaching and advocacy for students who are neurodivergent, marginalized, or navigating complex social and emotional realities.

Dr. Elliott is the creator of Heart-Centered Connections, a professional development curriculum that blends applied neuroscience with mindfulness and nervous system wellness to support educators and counselors. Through this work, she has equipped thousands of professionals across the U.S. and 13 countries to create trauma-responsive, inclusive environments. Her impact is global and deeply personal, rooted in a lifelong passion for educational justice and holistic learning.

In the Fellowship, Niki is eager to connect with like-hearted leaders who speak the language of healing and education. She brings a dream of a world where learners of all abilities are not only included, but celebrated—and where technology, spirituality, and justice work in harmony to create systems of care. Her presence is a powerful invitation to slow down, breathe, and reimagine what’s possible.