ALL ABOUT THE SELF-EX™ AWARD

A GUIDE TO SELF-ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP

Recognized by USC Center EDGE, Andrew Nikou Foundation, and IDEO

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Be Your Own Advocate. Own Your Story. Lead Your Life.

It All Started ....

The SELF-Ex™ Method was born from pain we couldn’t ignore.
We end up creating a method to design superheroes.

It started with stories. Kids being locked in bathrooms,
humiliated at lunch, excluded from games. But the deeper
wound came from the silence of adults who failed to act.

We, a mother-daughter team, launched Deeds by Kids™ to give
those children a voice. Through over 400 stories, we uncovered
a tragic pattern: kids didn’t know how to respond to bullying,
exclusion, or injustice with clarity and confidence.

That pain sparked the creation of the SELF-Ex™ Method—a
5-step framework and toolkit that empowers kids, parents, and
educators to lead with purpose, advocate for themselves, and
transform adversity into strength.

WHAT IS THE SELF-EX™ METHOD?

FRAMEWORK

A leadership and self-advocacy framework designed to empower
kids, parents, and educators.

  • Address bullying, adversity, and injustice with clarity & confidence
  • Make responsible, values-based decisions
  • Regulate emotions and resolve conflicts
  • Transform pain into personal power & social impact

SELF-Ex stands for:
S – Set Purpose
E – Evaluate the Situation
L – Lead with Best Option
F – Formulate & Forge Ahead
Ex – Examine Outcomes

SET PURPOSE

Define your values and what matters most. Purpose
anchors your decisions.

EVALUATE THE SITUATION

Look at the challenge clearly. Understand context, facts,
and emotions.

LEAD WITH BEST OPTION

Choose the most responsible, values-based response
aligned with your goals.

FORMULATE AND FORGE AHEAD

Take action with confidence. Move forward while
staying true to purpose.

EXAMINE OUTCOMES

Reflect, learn from the results, and strengthen your
future responses.

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GLOBAL RECOGNITION

Honored By The ReOpen Education Global Challenge

In July 2021, SELF-Ex™ was selected by the USC Rossier School of Education’s Center EDGE, in partnership with the Andrew Nikou Foundation and IDEO, as one of the top solutions for educational transformation. The ReOpen Challenge spotlighted innovations that reimagined education during COVID-19 and beyond. SELF-Ex™ stood out among 300+ entries for:

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SUBMISSIONS
  • Elevating student voice
  • Promoting meaningful learning
  • Creating a culture of respect and responsibility

IMPACT SINCE THE AWARD

SINCE ITS RECOGNITION, THE SELF-EX™ METHOD HAS:

  • Reached over 1,000+ students, parents, and educators
  • Featured in bullying prevention programs and leadership training
  • Supported Jewish and marginalized students facing antisemitism,
    exclusion, and bias
  • Been implemented across K-12 schools, colleges, and family
    workshops
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TOOLS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

TOOLS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

WHY THE AWARD MATTERS

From Reflection to Responsible Action

The SELF-Ex™ Method transforms moments of adversity into leadership
opportunities. It helps individuals align their Objectives, Needs, and
Expectations (ONE™) and build the resilience to lead themselves and others
with intention.

This method is more than a framework—it’s shaping a resilient and results-
oriented mindset. Leveraging obstacles into opportunities to realize optimal
outcomes.

  • Objectives
  • Needs
  • Expectations

NOMINATE A CHANGEMAKER

Do you know someone making a difference?

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Nominate a Changemaker ➔
Submit their story of courage or leadership
Upload photos, letters, or testimonials
Deadline: 30 Sep 2025

    [acceptance* consent] I confirm I have permission to share this story and files, and consent to their review for the Changemaker feature.

    PAST HONOREES (COMING SOON)

    Celebrating Our Changemakers

    Stay tuned for inspiring stories of those using the SELF-Ex™ Method to lead change in their schools, homes, and communities.

    HONOREE COMING SOON

    Story to be published soon.

    HONOREE COMING SOON

    Story to be published soon.

    HONOREE COMING SOON

    Story to be published soon.

    SHARE YOUR STORY

    YOU’RE NOT ALONE. LET’S SPEAK UP™ CAN HELP.

    Have you or someone you love experienced bullying,
    exclusion, or injustice?

    share-story

    BRING SELF-EX™ TO YOUR SCHOOL, TEAM, OR COMMUNITY

    PARTNER WITH LET’S SPEAK UP™

    Co-create programs and resources for your school, district, or organization.

    TRAIN YOUR TEAM

    Practical SELF-Ex™ training for staff, educators, and student leaders.

    BOOK A WORKSHOP OR KEYNOTE

    Interactive sessions that turn adversity into leadership opportunities.

    LET’S TRANSFORM ADVERSITY INTO LEADERSHIP—ONE
    VOICE AT A TIME.

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    STAY CONNECTED

    • New award cycles
    • Leadership workshops
    • Tools and training updates

    CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

    We touch hearts, we transform paradigms, we change lives.

    • "Lea is an inspirational speaker who captivates the audience and engages us in meaningful conversations. I have the greatest time at her workshops and come home inspired. It's the highlight of my week!"

    • As one who thirsts for learning and immersing myself with the most knowledge possible, I have attended many lectures and workshops on various topics. I attended a few of Lea’s workshops and was pleased with the difference in her workshop from others. The other workshops I joined tended to be very general based on the industry/topic. Lea’s workshops are personalize. Her presentation was based on the industry and topic with a laser focus on the company and the company’s team members. She did research to make sure that the information she presented was applicable to the team. She also does not just stand and lecture, instead she uses different activities to keep the group engaged and participating in the learning process. I highly recommend attending one of Lea's workshops.

    • "I attended many of Lea's workshops. All I can say is the workshops are phenomenal! You leave the workshop thinking of how you are going plan to implement the techniques that you have learned. I would highly recommend Lea's workshops to anyone that wants to have a positive impact on their life and their future. "

    • "Lea Wolf-Soffer provided a dynamic and interactive workshop for our staff. She created an environment that staff felt comfortable sharing, opening up and learning. Lea provided staff with real life examples and kept staff engaged in the process throughout the workshop. She simplified new techniques on how to communicate effectively and provided insight for staff to become self-reflective to how others might perceive them. Our staff enjoyed and benefited from the interactive activities and guidance Lea provided."

    • I have been to many workshops and conferences of many types through my life. I can sincerely say that Lea is an amazing presenter and motivational speaker. She brings interesting and controversial subjects for discussion that touches every person in a unique way and keep you thinking afterwards. All her workshops are motivational as well as extremely well presented with facts and debatable thoughts. I highly recommend her as a motivational speaker and a lead of any discussion and conference. I personally never miss her highly interesting and though provoking events.

    • "Dear Ms. Wolf-Soffer, I am grateful to have had you as a guest speaker at CAPSLO San Diego County Pre-Service. I was able to relate too many of the things you mentioned in your presentation. It is very true it is not always what you say but how you say it makes a difference. We often need to be reminded we all have different learning styles and sometimes what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for the other. I will do my best to practice the LEADERS method so that I can try being the best person that I can be in the workplace. Look forward to having you back with us again. "

    • "Dear Lea, You're my Hero! Thank you so much for everything you have done for us. We are forever grateful!  We were horrified when the school classified our son as a 'terrorist threat.'  Not only did you go out of your way to help us, we could not done this without your knowledge and expertise.  You are one of a kind! EKG, Expulsion Case 92122

    • "Hi Lea, Happy Thanksgiving!! I regret not writing you earlier to share with you, especially given my strong feelings… I am so impressed by you, the solid principles you live by, and your willingness/generosity to share the wealth of your knowledge and experience with others. I feel like in just 2 weeks i am already starting to think and act differently. I am so grateful for you….taking the time to coach me (I know how busy your life is and even more so now with Sabrina being home AND celebrating her birthday and book launch) and invest in me and believe in me. It really feels fulfilling for me to work with you. Your guidance and support really means so much to me; it’s one of the best gifts I could ever wish for- to get to know myself better, be more productive, realize my power and have even better relationships. I deeply appreciate you and your friendship. Thank you thank you thank you!!!! ER, Female, Mom, 92067  

    • "I just wanted to say thank you so much for absolutely everything - from taking me onto your team even though I didn’t have experience to being a safe space for me to vent or talk out how I was feeling. You provided me with comfort, knowledge, guidance, and a mother figure in San Diego. I truly cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me and everyone around you. You are such a bright light in not only my life but everyone else you encounter as well. You are like a North Star for people - providing a beacon of light to help others navigate uncertainty."

    • "Hi Lea, Happy Thanksgiving!! I regret not writing you earlier to share with you, especially given my strong feelings… I am so impressed by you, the solid principles you live by, and your willingness/generosity to share the wealth of your knowledge and experience with others. I feel like in just 2 weeks i am already starting to think and act differently. I am so grateful for you….taking the time to coach me (I know how busy your life is and even more so now with Sabrina being home AND celebrating her birthday and book launch) and invest in me and believe in me. It really feels fulfilling for me to work with you. Your guidance and support really means so much to me; it’s one of the best gifts I could ever wish for- to get to know myself better, be more productive, realize my power and have even better relationships. I deeply appreciate you and your friendship. Thank you thank you thank you!!!! ER, Female, Mom, 92067

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