Biography

Rhonda is a communications and branding strategist and emerging philosopher whose work bridges institutional advancement, mission-driven innovation, and the evolving conversation on consciousness and human transformation. As a trusted thought partner to the President of CIIS, she plays a pivotal role in shaping university-wide priorities—advising on communications strategy, enrollment alignment, and board engagement.

In her dual role as President’s Special Assistant and Chief of Staff for Strategic Communications, Rhonda has led major efforts in executive communications, institutional branding, and stakeholder engagement. She has played a central role in board operations and helped launch high-impact initiatives such as the global Blue Sky Leaders Program and has helped drive high-impact efforts that align CIIS’s strategic vision with the evolving needs of students, leadership, and the broader world.

As a scholar, Rhonda’s research explores the intersection of philosophy, consciousness studies, and transpersonal psychology. At the 2025 Science of Consciousness Conference in Barcelona, she presented Consciousness Unbound—a paper proposing a new framework for understanding consciousness as a continuous, energetic force beyond the brain. Her work draws on Henri Bergson’s metaphysics and integrates empirical studies on near-death experiences and past-life memory, challenging materialist assumptions and positioning subjective experience at the heart of conscious life.

Rhonda’s leadership is defined by clarity, depth, and integrative vision. She brings a rare blend of strategic foresight, emotional intelligence, and philosophical inquiry to every role—making her a transformative force in both organizational leadership and the evolving conversation on what it means to be human.

Education

B.A, Valdosta State University

M.A., California Institute of Integral Studies

Publications

Reliford, R. (2022). Moses de León's contemplation on the divine feminine presence in the Zohar | Omnino, 12. P124-147