Bringing support and healing to communities, organizations, and interfaith spaces through restorative practices.
Dr. Zaria Davis is an IIRP alumna, having earned her Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices in 2025. She serves as a senior consultant at New Direction Coaching & Consulting, LLC, providing leadership development and restorative practices coaching, consulting, and facilitation services to nonprofits, businesses, and faith-based organizations.
Dr. Davis’s professional experiences led her to restorative practices as a valuable framework in addressing trauma and healing in the community and workplace. Her commitment to supporting communities and organizations through restorative practices is rooted in her deep love of collaboration, healing, and creating spaces of belonging.
Q: What brought you to the IIRP?
A: After being a clinical social worker for many years, I moved into a practice centered on healing and care. I was working in advocacy and community organizing while completing my Master of Divinity (MDiv). While coaching leaders across the country, the theme of harm and trauma in the workplace and community constantly surfaced. As I delved deeper into the knowledge of ministry, I noticed similar patterns emerging. People who were called to be of service to others were dealing with their own hurt and trauma, sometimes outside the workspace, but often within. My first experience with the IIRP was participating in professional development events. After the completion of seminary, I knew that I needed more than professional development and that led me to enroll in the graduate certificate program. My experience at the IIRP was amazing, and the timing was perfect for where I was on my professional journey. I am grateful to the faculty and staff for all their amazing work.
Q: Please tell us about your professional work now and what makes you passionate about it.
A: I currently work with nonprofits and faith-based organizations to address organizational culture from a restorative practices lens. I facilitate workshops and trainings, and I work with executive leadership and boards to ensure their organizations are living their values both externally and internally. I also serve on the board for my denomination’s conference, leading a group that works with people to address diversity, equity, and inclusion from a restorative lens. Our goal is to train leaders to facilitate circles in their communities. I am passionate about all that I do because I truly feel in alignment with my purpose. I love walking alongside people, supporting people through their healing, and providing resources so individuals and organizations may be successful. If the staff and leadership are in a good space, then those they serve will be well taken care of.
Q: What would you like to see happen in the future of this work?
A: I have big dreams for this work. My ministry call is to support groups in creating a culture centered around restorative practices and healing. I plan to secure land on which to build a micro farm where I will work with individuals, groups, and organizations, and employ people who utilize healing through connecting to nature. I envision a program that is self-sustaining and offers farm-to-table goods in a place where people from anywhere can come and get what they need and truly feel welcome. I look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with those wanting to explore restorative practices in the workplace, in faith-based spaces, and in businesses. There is great benefit in doing the work proactively, not just after harm has occurred.