Our Team

Committed to the wellness of our MAAC scholars

ANDREA SMITH-MORGAN

TEACHER, SPECIAL ED, ENGLISH & LDTC

Andrea Nicole is the founder and director of the nonprofit organization, Mindful Awareness Academy for Children (MAAC)…

Andrea Nicole is the founder and director of the nonprofit organization, Mindful Awareness Academy for Children (MAAC).

MAAC began as a movement to create a change in the educational system. It was a response to address the disparities and inequities, focusing on advanced levels of teaching English language arts (ELA) and mathematics for students of color. While engaged in this meaningful work, Andrea continued to teach full time. After 27 years of teaching and completely wiped out, she searched for strategies and tools to address burn-out and exhaustion. She discovered mindfulness. “The life I was building for myself is the life I wanted to build for my scholars.” ELA and mathematics quickly morphed into mindful practices to college readiness.

Altogether, Andrea Nicole possesses over 27 years combined academic and professional experience in teaching, education, social and emotional wellness, mindfulness, community building, research, training and curriculum design.

Andrea is the first generation of parents who grew up in the West Indies. She understands intimately two ends of the immigrant spectrum in America: growing up with the constant and pervasive racism as well as realizing her self-worth. Andrea Nicole is thrilled to be leading an organization that is able to provide endless and boundless opportunities for students of color to achieve their college dreams, while utilizing mindful practices, incorporating social and emotional wellness and creating community building experiences.

Andrea has a B.A. in Elementary Education from West Virginia University and a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University; Certified Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, and Mindful Practitioner.

ELEANOR GIL-KASHIWABARA

PSYCHOLOGIST

Dr. Eleanor Gil-Kashiwabara earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Pacific University and M.A. in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University…

Dr. Eleanor Gil-Kashiwabara earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Pacific University and M.A. in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University. She completed her predoctoral internship and residency training at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). She is licensed as a psychologist in Oregon.

Eleanor’s training and professional experience focuses on children and families experiencing a variety of issues including, but not limited to trauma (including intergenerational trauma and historical loss), early-childhood attachment disruptions and maltreatment, neurodevelopmental disorders and mood disorders.

As a bilingual Latina psychologist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, Eleanor has a passion and commitment to providing culturally responsive services to all clients, though much of her work has emphasized addressing service inequities and culturally-specific service provision in Latinx and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.

For 15 years, Eleanor served as Associate Professor at Portland State University School of Social Work, where she was a Principal Investigator on numerous Federally-funded children’s mental health grants using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) model with tribal and Latinx communities (both rural and urban). Currently she is the founder and CEO of Luminosa Psychological Services, LLC where she provides training and consultation to mental health, educational, arts and other organizations related to providing services from a trauma-informed lens that engages equity and inclusion. She also provides culturally responsive mental health services with a special focus on BIPOS populations. In addition, she is a certified yoga instructor and is especially interested in the positive benefits of yoga on mental health functioning. Dr. Eleanor Gil-Kashiwabara is honored to serve on the Board of the Mindful Awareness Academy for Children.

TAMARA C. WILLIAMS

COMPOSER

Tamara C. Williams is a jazz vocalist and composer with extensive experience developing music programs with non-profit organizations, colleges, and universities…

Tamara C. Williams is a jazz vocalist and composer with extensive experience developing music programs with non-profit organizations, colleges, and universities. Prior to arts administration, Mrs. Williams volunteered with domestic violence and sexual assault organizations in the greater St. Louis area. Using spoken word poetry, she became a spokesperson and advocate for the prevention of violence against women, HIV/AIDS prevention, and recovery for substance abusers. In 2012, Mrs. Williams was recognized for her work with arts programs by receiving an award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women as a Trailblazer in Arts and Culture. She received her A.A. in English from Southwestern Illinois College; her B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Classical and Jazz Voice from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; and her M.M. in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University. Mrs. Williams founded Music Beyond Measure in January 2013 where she continues to promote the arts as an aid in trauma recovery for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and individuals suffering from PTSD.

NADINE VERNA

COLLEGE ADMINISTRATOR

Nadine Verna is a college administrator with over 20 years of experience, having worked at diverse institutions, including The New School, Duke University, Barnard College, Yale University, and Montclair State University. She is also an adjunct instructor and has taught courses such as College to Career: Preparing for the World of Work, Child Development II: Adolescence, New Student Seminar, and New Graduate International Student Seminar. In her spare time, Nadine enjoys brunching with her daughter, journaling, and traveling. She is the proud daughter of Haitian immigrants and has degrees from Mount Holyoke College and New York University.

TANYA ISLER

BRAND DEVELOPER

Tanya Isler has worked in brand development for over 25 years focused on accelerating the growth of fashion, lifestyle and entertainment brands through strategic partnerships…

Tanya Isler has worked in brand development for over 25 years focused on accelerating the growth of fashion, lifestyle and entertainment brands through strategic partnerships. Brands she has worked for include Disney, Conde Nast and Martha Stewart. She currently leads Licensing + Publishing for US, Canada, Australia & New Zealand for Netflix Consumer Products, a role that includes identifying and managing key retail and consumer brand partnerships for Netflix acclaimed films and series. Tanya studied at Yale University where she majored in History. In addition to MAAC she is a Board Member of Licensing International the leading global trade association for the brand licensing industry. Tanya lives in New Jersey with her husband and four children and has traveled to over 70 countries for work and pleasure.

JULIAN PINNIX-ODRICK

RECRUITER

If I had to describe myself, I’d just say a thinker. Not necessarily a “deep” thinker, but I just like asking the question why…

If I had to describe myself, I’d just say a thinker. Not necessarily a “deep” thinker, but I just like asking the question why. I grew up and graduated from high school in Montclair, where the bulk of my energy for better or worse was put toward athletic pursuits. I played football and participated in both Winter and Spring track and field where I threw shot put, javelin, and discus. Sports was a focus, but don’t get me wrong, I was on Honor Roll as well.

I went on to play football at Rutgers University, where I felt like I was able to explore my interest in leadership and mentorship in a great environment. I graduated with my Bachelors degree in Communication and a Masters Degree in Management and Labor Relations.

Post-grad I was able to work 3.5 years at a sports agency where I coordinated events, produced content and worked directly with professional and collegiate athletes and their initiatives. I am currently working as a recruiter in the Accounting and Finance space. A new skill to be learned, but a challenge I’m looking forward to!