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In the Area Productions

In the Area Productions
  • About
  • Services
  • Contact

About Ben

I am a former licensed social worker and executive director. I am intimately aware that white leaders and white-led companies need to adapt and evolve. I also understand that we are all holding so much and struggling behind the scenes, so I balance my processing sessions and speaking engagements with love and accountability. This is what I live for. This is why I founded In the Area Productions.

Why I do

Many white people feel stuck, defensive, and daunted with making meaningful antiracist changes. I’ve certainly been there. It should not be the burden of our Black, Indigenous, and POC colleagues to help us work through these issues.

During my time leading Seattle Works (a civic organization where people connect to causes and to each other through a wide range of volunteer service, leadership training, and meet-up experiences) my team and I evolved a white-founded, white-led organization into one where power was shifted to a BIPOC-led staff and board, leadership was distributed, and employees from all backgrounds could bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Morale improved. Retention improved. Representation improved. And business got way better.

This transformation helped me understand, viscerally, what is possible.

Systemic bias is embedded into nearly every system in this country, especially the workplace. To truly change harmful systems, we need actively antiracist leaders and workplaces. Sitting on the sidelines is not an option — in particular, white leaders and white-led companies need to adapt and evolve. Those who don’t will struggle recruiting and retaining talent, risk becoming irrelevant, and cause harm.

Workplaces that are rooted in antiracism, trust, and love thrive. They are joyful, liberatory spaces where everyone can be their authentic self and do their best work.

My background and experiences

I love sharing my story and learning from others. I have delivered keynote remarks at numerous galas, including at a benefit concert featuring Grammy Award winning musician Ben Harper and at University of Notre Dame’s annual “Making a Living Making a Difference” event. I spoke at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon when my nonprofit was recognized as the region’s Outstanding Philanthropic Organization and at the Global Engagement Summit at Northwestern University. I have delivered remarks at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; spoke on a national panel about “Building Better Nonprofits” with Food Recovery Network; at the Women of Color in Philanthropy & Fundraising national Allies in Action kickoff event; and have been a featured speaker for multiple events hosted by Seattle Arts & Culture for Anti-Racism (SACA).

As a trainer I have facilitated sessions throughout the country. I have led trainings for hundreds of Microsoft employees at the company’s world headquarters, as well as dozens more corporate trainings at companies that include, Facebook (now Meta), Bristol Myers Squibb, and Premera Blue Cross. I have trained hundreds of National Service members on human-centered approaches to direct service, and for years, I have facilitated white caucus meetups to support white people on their anti-oppression journeys.

I am a former wedding DJ, have been to Namibia three times, and I play and coach basketball. I’ve called Portland, Chicago, and Seattle home. And I think love is the most important thing in the world.

What I do
Let’s connect
Accountability Statement

Recognition & Leadership Highlights

Harvard Business School, Young American Leaders Program, one of 120 people in the country invited to attend this program in 2018

Social Impact Award, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration Alumni Association, 2016

Leadership Tomorrow, class of 2016

Earth Day NW 2020 Leadership Group, served with former governors, tribal leaders, university presidents, and the founder of Earth Day himself

Seattle Works, executive director, 2015-2022

LIFT – Chicago, executive director, 2008-2014

Points of Light International Affiliate Assembly, leadership council member, 2017-2020

Media

I have authored and been interviewed for dozens of pieces about antiracism and leadership, including:

Featured: White Men's Role in Advancing Equity and Inclusion, published by Forbes, 2024.

Featured: Inclusion On Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work, by Ruchika Tulshyan, 2022

Authored: Reflections on Dismantling Racism, RVC Changemaker’s Series, 2019

Featured: How nonprofits are refreshing their boards by drawing on the talents and diversity of recruits at Seattle-area companies, published by the Seattle Times, 2019

Co-authored: Cultivating The Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders in Metro Areas, with Scott W. Allard, published by Brookings Institution, 2018

Featured: Can Volunteerism Mend The Rift Between Seattle’s Thriving Tech Community & Those in Need? published by GeekWire, 2016

Featured: Seattle Works and UWKC Work to Dismantle Racism…Starting Within Their Own Organizations, published by Points of Light Blog, 2020

Rad Roberts

“We approached Ben when we wanted to start a white antiracism group in our 600-person organization. Ben helped guide us through the planning, launch, and expansion of our group as we went from a few co-founders to over 80 participants. His insight and guidance helped us avoid many pitfalls and empowered our team to embrace the challenges and rewards of this journey. Ben has a wonderful ability to ask insightful and pointed questions with a warmth that is both engaging and disarming. He knew when to gently take the wheel and when to let us drive the program ourselves.”

— Rad Roberts, Ph.D. (he/him), Director, Corporate Relations, University of Washington

Ijeoma Oluo

"In the years I have known Ben, I have been able to witness the compassion, consistency, curiosity and humility that imbue his dedicated and knowledgeable equity work. Ben is truly committed to creating change and supporting those who would also become changemakers."

— Ijeoma Oluo, #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk about Race.

Ruchika Tulshyan

“One of the few cis, straight, white men who I've seen stand up and SHOW UP for me and other women of colour tirelessly is Ben Reuler. In The Area Productions helps white people understand and process what it means to be antiracist and cultivate inclusive leadership as a white leader. This labour, which too often falls on people of color, should not be ours to bear.”

— Ruchika Tulshyan, Author of Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work

Kristy Fercho

“There is no one better to do this work than Ben Reuler! Everything he does is rooted in love! Ben is a captivating speaker, a brave and bold leader, and has the ability to see things from everyone's unique point of view. He is a gem, and I cannot recommend him enough.”

— Kristy Fercho, Head of Home Lending at Wells Fargo, Chairman of Mortgage Bankers Association

Jeff Hanavan

“When it comes to core issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Ben has made an enormous difference for me personally and for the entire team at Aspen Leadership Group. My one-on-one processing conversations with Ben have been incredibly helpful, as his skillful ability to listen, relate, coach, and counsel has empowered me to engage in DEI in a more authentic and effective way. This engagement has led to a stronger, more supportive, and more inclusive approach to our work with all of our constituents. While we still have an immense amount of important work to do, partnering with Ben has without a doubt made us better.”

– Jeff Hanavan, Founding Partner, Aspen Leadership Group

Jordan Goldwarg

“Ben has so many gifts to offer the world when it comes to undoing the harmful effects of racism and white supremacy. In our work together, he has brought so much empathy and compassion, helping me to feel seen and heard as I struggle with these difficult topics in my personal and professional lives. He is a wonderful listener, which in turn allows him to ask deep, insightful questions that push me to consider issues from a new perspective.”

— Jordan Goldwarg, Executive Director, OneWorld Now!

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