Soul of Leadership

Marco Curnen has been an educator for more than 25 years. His journey has included numerous roles in public schools: high school Spanish teacher, principal of a K-8 school, and currently, as the assistant principal at a dual-immersion (Spanish/English) JK-8 school. Through his work in schools and facilitating adult learning experiences, Marco strives to be an actively – as in, each and every day – anti-racist educator and instructional leader who aspires to find that elusive balance between working hard and slowing down enough to reflect on the impacts of his – and others’ – work.

Jennifer Francisco has been an educator for 30 years, including 20 years as the principal of the Berkley Community School. Before serving as a principal, she worked as an assistant principal and a grade four teacher. As a school leader, she works diligently to ensure that the students in her care are receiving a top notch educational experience, and that her staff is supported as they work to lead high quality educational learning in their classrooms. She believes that every interaction with students and staff is a teachable moment, and works to preserve the quality of those interactions each and every day. Jennifer has a particular interest in leadership, which has driven her participation in Soul of Leadership since its inception. She joined our team of facilitators in 2021.

Chandra Joseph-Lacet has spent the last 29 years working in the field of education. She began her career in Higher Education working in a variety of Student Affairs Departments and later transitioned to K-12 education where she began her teaching career in the Boston Public Schools as an Elementary School Teacher. In addition to working as a teacher, Chandra has also served as a Special Education Teacher, Literacy Coach, Special Education Coordinator, Assistant Principal and Coach for early career teachers. Chandra is currently the Director of Community Wellness and Lead Faculty for the Peronne-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership at Hale Education. Chandra is passionate about teaching and leading with humanity and helping others to do the same. As the CEO of CJ Education Consulting Group, LLC., Chandra co-creates brave spaces where educators can truly tune into their inner selves and learn, grow and expand the whole of who they are. Chandra is presently an apprentice with The Center for Courage & Renewal.

Ed Kaufman has been involved in education for forty years, as an elementary teacher, junior high math teacher, college counselor, and college instructor in psychology and education. Before partial retirement, Ed taught and was principal at the same elementary school for 23 years. Since then he has done interim principal work and remote learning administration, and particularly enjoys consulting with principals individually, and in small and large groups.

Nancy MacKay was Co-Director and Senior Program Manager for Open Circle, a universal, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program formerly based at the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) at Wellesley College. Her role and responsibilities at Open Circle included program and curricula design and development, program leadership, and supervision of the training team. Nancy has been involved in education, training and development for over 30 years as a teacher, trainer and consultant. Along with her Open Circle experience and expertise as an elementary educator, Nancy has designed and implemented courses, workshops and seminars for businesses and nonprofit organizations focusing on the development of leadership skills. Nancy has been a facilitator for Soul of Leadership since 2020.

Brenda Maurao has been a dedicated educator for over twenty years, thirteen of which have been in school and district administration in both urban and suburban settings. Brenda has been a part of Soul of Leadership since its inception and is committed to embedding this approach into the adult community in schools. She recognizes the importance of being genuine and transparent and taking the time to establish relationships. Brenda currently serves as principal at the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School in Belmont (K-4). Brenda also serves as a program supervisor for student teachers at Framingham State University, MASCD board member, and Wellness for Educators Facilitator.

Pipier Smith-Mumford has been an educator for over 40 years, starting as a high school guidance counselor, moving to administration as a principal of a 9th grade campus, and then a PreK-8 school. Presently, she is working as a Senior Lecturer and Field Director in the Education Leadership and Policy Studies program at Boston University Wheelock College School of Education and Human Development while also mentoring new principals, and consulting with area school administrators and faculty on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. She has been a facilitator for Soul of Leadership since 2019.

Rick Swanson became principal of Hingham High School in 2017 after serving as assistant principal for ten years. A former history teacher and coach, he remains animated by the same values that first led him to an inner-city classroom in Chicago. An educator for more than twenty-five years, he continues to believe in the capacity of our public schools to transform society. He believes his students “not only develop their skills and expand their knowledge in powerful ways. They know what it feels like to belong to a genuine community, drawing inspiration both from their teachers and from each other. They leave our school wanting to improve the world and believing they can.” Rick has been an active participant in Soul of Leadership and joined our team of facilitators in 2021.