Lee Cultural Journey I ZENA CONSULTING

Rural Roots

Lee grew up on the ancestral lands of the Shawnee peoples, navigating between steel mill and farming communities in a Christian area of western Pennsylvania's Rust Belt.

In this working-class milieu, schools were closed the first day of deer-hunting season. Women had few job opportunities beyond traditional roles or low-paying care work. Culture was defined by class, ethnicity, and religion. For many, 'being American' meant hiding one's heritage. Open prejudice towards (Italian, Polish, Irish) Catholics and Jews was common. This always struck her as wrong.

Lee Mozena Credentials

EDUCATION
MA Liberal Studies, The New School, NY
BA Communications, Temple University, PA

CERTIFICATIONS
- Facilitative Mediation, Skagit County IIDispute  Resolution Center
- Adaptive Leadership, Leadership Eastside,
- Cultural Detective, Nipporica Associates
- Training Specialist, University of Washington
BUSINESS AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS
- Tabor 100, Business Consultant, 2024
- DEI Training Solutions Master Contract, 2022
- OMWBE-certified WBE and DBE

RECENT VOLUNTEERING
- Washington State DES, Business Diversity IIAdvisory Group/BDAG, 2019-2023
- Braver Angels, 2022 to present

"It is in the Shelter of Each Other that the People Live."

Irish proverb

America Has Always Been Multicultural

Lee is fortunate to know about her Presbyterian forbears; the Gray and McGuinnis clan members came from Scotland in the 1700's, others from England and Germany in the 1800's. The DeMozenettes immigrated from France and eventually Americanized the family surname, (Mosina and Mozena), likely to blend with Italian and Slavic neighbors in the coal-mining town where they settled. Lee resurrected the name since no male had been born to carry it on.

Mozena and Zena are also feminine words that are pronounced differently, depending on your mother tongue and experience. Zena means "girl" in Persian, Arabic, and Czech. This fits with her work that brings people (especially women) from different cultures together.

Strong Women Fight Back

Zena is also an homage to Lee's inspirational avatar- Xena, the 'Warrior for Good Princess'; a campy 90's TV show starring Lucy Lawless. As Xena, Lawless was unique for playing a strong female at a time when Hollywood usually portrayed them as weak. The choreography of her fight scenes was technically accurate and on par with her male counterparts.

Self-Leadership is a Priority

Lee follows the Adaptive Leadership code of 'thrival'- balancing career, community, and health. After family and friends, movement is her favorite after-work activity.

She taught Nia Dance for 20 years and Hatha yoga for 8. She's a certified instructor (RYT 200) of Iyengar style, and has studied Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, and Krav Maga. 

​Yoga is a soft martial art. Iyengar emphasizes alignment and precision. Lee applies these same principles to serving clients. 

Right- headstands keep her positive through Pacific Northwest winters. 

Consulting & Coaching Credentials