At Apogee, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where all of our teens, middle and high schoolers feel empowered to be their best selves. A key part of this ongoing work has been our collaboration with Dustin Ward, a Maine-based equity consultant who has been guiding and inspiring our team for the past several years. Dustin brings a dynamic presence, a deep well of knowledge, and an engaging approach to our Leader Training, where he facilitates workshops on inclusion and identity for our staff. We are thrilled to introduce Dustin to the Apogee community!
A Journey Rooted in Community
Dustin’s passion for equity work stems from his own life experiences. Originally from Presque Isle, Maine, Dustin was adopted as an infant from Melbourne, Florida, and went on to graduate from Presque Isle High School before pursuing a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Economics at the University of Southern Maine. His initial aspirations to become a lawyer shifted when he felt a strong calling to ministry, leading him to earn a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
After spending time away from Maine, Dustin returned, eager to make an impact through ministry. However, in the wake of George Floyd’s death, he found the religious space too toxic to continue his work in that capacity. Instead, he founded It Is Time, his own equity consulting business dedicated to helping organizations—including schools, businesses, churches, and government institutions—navigate critical conversations about inclusion and systemic change. The name It Is Time was born from the first three words he wrote in a letter to his ministry board, urging the church to take meaningful action in addressing racial inequities. That phrase has since become the foundation of his work, symbolizing the urgency and necessity of creating more just and equitable communities.
Beyond his professional work, Dustin finds joy in his family life. He and his wife, Lauren, have been married for 13 years and are raising two young boys, ages 6 and 3. When he’s not leading workshops or facilitating discussions on equity, he’s likely out on the golf course—a sport he’s been passionate about since 2008. Music is another love of his, and while his trumpet-playing days have taken a backseat to his busy schedule, he still hopes to pick up his horn again for a future performance.
Aligning Equity Work with Apogee’s Mission
Dustin’s work with It Is Time is grounded in the belief that fostering true equity requires building strong, engaged communities—something that directly aligns with Apogee’s mission. His workshops challenge our leaders to think critically about identity, privilege, and the ways in which they can create a more inclusive environment for every student on our trips. In Dustin’s words,” We need to build an understanding of how to engage in community in order to enhance equity, and Apogee is all about bringing together communities, especially of different and diverse lived experiences.”
Just as Apogee encourages young people to step outside their comfort zones, explore new landscapes, and grow as individuals, Dustin’s work is also about empowerment—giving people the confidence to be advocates for equity in their own spaces. On the concept of doing equity work in the outdoors, Dustin says, “This work is done indoors and outdoors, so Apogee’s mission of moving this to the outdoor environment is really liberating, because it means we don’t have to sit around desks and conference tables to make an impact. Our natural world is as good an environment for learning and moving equity forward as any other space.”
Our partnership with Dustin has been invaluable in shaping the way we approach leadership, inclusion, and community at Apogee. His insights continue to inspire us to be more thoughtful, intentional, and proactive in creating spaces where every student and staff member feel a sense of belonging.
As we move forward, we remain committed to learning, evolving, and ensuring that Apogee is a place where all young people—regardless of background—can thrive. We are grateful to have Dustin as a guiding voice in this journey and look forward to the continued impact of his work within our community.
