The Movement for Educator Transformation.

Dr. Ilana Nankin — Founder and Co-CEO of Breathe for Change — is an award-winning entrepreneur, teacher educator, and former public school teacher. Ilana earned degrees in psychology and education from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her dissertation revealed the critical connection between educator well-being and student learning, and the transformative impact of wellness and social-emotional learning on classroom communities.

Inspired by her research, she founded Breathe for Change — a movement dedicated to bringing wellness, inspiration, and community to every educator and student in the world. As one of the lead professors of this Human Intelligence course, Ilana weaves her expertise in embodied awareness, social-emotional learning, and systemic well-being throughout the curriculum. Her leadership and vision ground the course’s theory of change: empowering educators to transform themselves, transform their teaching, and ultimately transform the way students learn. Ilana lives in San Francisco, and is also the proud mother of two precious daughters, Aliya and Zoe, and applies everything she knows from being a pre-k teacher to her role as a parent.

Michael Fenchel, Breathe for Change’s Co-founder and Co-CEO, is a transformative educator and social entrepreneur who has founded four mission-driven organizations at the intersection of education, well-being, and community-building. He brings over two decades of experience designing and leading programs that help individuals and communities develop the inner capacities needed to unleash their potential and foster meaningful impact. His work is grounded in a deep commitment to translating insight into action, supporting leaders in aligning personal purpose with collective transformation.

A lifelong learner of both science and spirit, Michael holds a degree in math and physics from the University of Michigan and has been a dedicated meditation practitioner for over 20 years. He is especially passionate about integrating rigorous analytical thinking with contemplative practice, creative expression, and embodied learning. Outside of work, he is an avid freestyle rapper, using improvisation and rhythm as a playful doorway into presence, creativity, and human connection–core elements of the Human Intelligence framework he brings to this course.

Sam Levine is the Chief Product Officer at Breathe for Change, a member of the founding team, and a Professor of Psychology and Mindfulness. He began his career as an educator, first as an ESL teacher in the Middle East and later as a middle school science teacher in Washington, D.C. Sam holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University with a concentration in mind-body and spirituality practices. A longtime mindfulness practitioner, Sam integrates contemplative practice with modern psychological science to cultivate awareness, compassion, and resilience. Over the past decade, he has taught social-emotional learning, wellness, and leadership skills to educators, organizational teams, and business leaders. His interdisciplinary background bridges evidence-based research with practical tools for embodied teaching and personal transformation.

As CGO, Julia Bond leads demand generation and category design at Breathe for Change, where she drives revenue to expand the organization’s impact while staying true to its values of developing the full human potential of every educator and student. She brings a rare blend of analytical rigor and creative strategy to advance what’s possible in the cultivation of human intelligence.

Before joining Breathe for Change, Julia was the co-founder and CEO of Yoga Ed., acquired by Breathe for Change in 2023. A lifelong learner who began coding at age 10 and practicing mindfulness soon after, Julia earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology: Brain and Behavior from Brown University, where she explored the intersection of neuroscience, education, psychology, and human connection.

Her unique expertise bridges science and humanity, turning data and insight into real-world impact. Julia lives in Honolulu, Hawai’i, where she finds daily joy in her children, her horse, somatic practices, and the natural world that continues to inspire her belief in humanity’s full potential.

Jason is an entrepreneur based in Austin who has spent his career building software in regulated markets—travel, healthcare, and fintech. He led product at Mobiata (acquired by Expedia, 2010), and co-founded Patient IO (acquired by athenahealth, 2016) and First Dollar (acquired by Inspira Financial, 2025).

Jason studied computer science and entrepreneurship at Michigan, where he founded Michigan’s student startup incubator, TechArb, and co-founded DoGood (acquired by Tonic, 2010). He spends a lot of time with Michigan students, and received the University’s ZEAL award recognizing a lifetime of entrepreneurial service.

These days he is living on the frontier of AI development, tinkering on side projects, and helping founders navigate startup M&A at Exitwise. Find him at www.jbornhorst.com

Dr. Kelli Sammis has 36 years of experience in PK12 – Higher Ed with roles ranging from classroom teacher, building principal, district-level leadership, SME, and adjunct professor. Her current role is guiding and supporting graduate students in Action Research inquiries through William Jewell College in partnership with Breathe for Change. This day to day work is grounded in equipping students with the skills they need to bring mindfulness and human-centered practices into their professional communities.

While earning her doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, she designed a new teacher induction program for Texas schools, grounded in positive behavior systems, mindful practices, and educator well-being. During the years she served as a Director of School Leadership, she wanted to do more than merely evaluate those in campus leadership positions; this led her to design a leadership coaching framework that was deeply rooted in the principles of mindfulness education as the foundation for how school communities meet the needs of both the students and the staffs for whom they are ultimately created.  She’s also a yoga studio owner with a 500hr ERYT yoga certification and multiple credentials in Meditation and other contemplative practices.  All of these Yogic tools greatly informed how she lives and her methodologies as a seasoned educational leader.

Elizabeth Knapp Schreiber is an accomplished educational leader and specialist based in Stevensville, Montana. With a career spanning over two decades, she has held diverse roles ranging from elementary and middle school teaching to high-level administration, including serving as a Full-Time Administrative Designee, Curriculum Director, and Title 1 Coordinator. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to systemic improvement, having facilitated district-wide initiatives for technology planning, curriculum alignment to Montana Core Standards, and the implementation of positive behavioral models (MBI). Her influence extends to the state level, where she has served as a keynote speaker and presenter for the School Administrators of Montana (SAM), advocating for resilient leadership and regulated learning environments.

A recognized expert in wellness and social-emotional learning (SEL), Elizabeth holds a Master of Science in Education in Yoga, Mindfulness, and Social Emotional Learning, as well as a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. She translates this expertise into practice as an Academic Advisor, where she mentors educators throughout their master’s degree journey in Breathe for Change’s program at William Jewell College. She is also an Adjunct Professor and Lead Instructor, where she teaches several courses.

Beyond her administrative and academic achievements, Elizabeth is driven by a profound personal mission: the inspiration and healing of teachers. She believes that by empowering educators to become the best versions of themselves, they can serve as catalysts for broader change. Her work is dedicated to fostering teacher wellness as a fundamental strategy to help heal a wounded educational system, ensuring that both staff and students can thrive in safe, regulated, and compassionate environments.

Bianca Gasparri is the Director of Educator Development at Breathe for Change, where she oversees admissions and enrollment while supporting educators through a thoughtful, human-centered journey into the organization’s programs. Her work is deeply informed by her background as a middle school special education and general education teacher, where she witnessed firsthand how social-emotional learning and breathwork could transform classroom culture. Seeing students gain tools they could carry with them beyond school affirmed her belief that SEL and wellness are essential life skills, not extras.

In addition to her classroom experience, Bianca worked closely with school districts to leverage Title funding to design and implement SEL and wellness rooms and programs. She holds master’s degrees in Inclusive Education and Educational Leadership and was named Teacher of the Year in 2021. Bianca brings clarity, warmth, and high standards to her work, grounded in a deep respect for educators and the real challenges they face. Outside of work, she loves cooking, reading historical fiction (especially Kristin Hannah), and spending time with her dog, Ziti.

Jeff Fenchel is the Director of Technology and Finance at Breathe for Change, where he leads the systems and infrastructure that support the organization’s learning platforms, financial operations, and long-term growth. His career spans education, nonprofit work, and technology, with prior roles in tutoring coordination, educational program support, and operations. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Edgewood College and has additional training in computer science and programming, bringing analytical thinking and practical problem-solving to his work.

At Breathe for Change, Jeff supports leadership through clear financial modeling, thoughtful technical systems, and data-informed decision-making that helps the organization operate sustainably and with confidence. He is known for his adaptable, grounded approach and his ability to bridge finance and technology in service of mission-driven work. Jeff lives in Madison, Wisconsin, where he enjoys spending time outdoors biking, kayaking, running, playing frisbee, and being with his family, bringing the same balance and steadiness from his life outside work into how he shows up on the team.

Elizabeth Siliato Bailey is the Product Operations Manager at Breathe for Change, overseeing the infrastructure of our learning platforms, live programming, communications, and more! Known among colleagues as the “encyclopedia,” Elizabeth has been a dedicated member of the team since 2018, supporting multiple phases of growth and evolution. Through this role, Elizabeth honors a deep commitment to wellness, education, and service. Her background includes caring for children with exceptional needs, earning a B.A. in Psychology, completing a service year with AmeriCorps NCCC, becoming a Certified Nonprofit Professional, leading Early Childhood Education classrooms while completing her M.A. in Education and Human Development, volunteering in a Relationships Studies Lab, and teaching yoga classes and yoga teacher training. She is also a part-time adjunct lecturer, teaching online undergraduate and graduate courses in Human Development and Family Relationships. Outside of work, Elizabeth is a wife, a mother of two, a dog’s human, a musician, and a lover of learning about all things health and wellness. Elizabeth approaches her work with care, precision, and a strong belief in the power of education to foster individual and collective well-being.

Shania is a Learning Experience Designer on a mission to creates courses that help people build fulfilling and connected lives. Her work centers on translating research in psychology and human behavior into practical, engaging learning that supports how people collaborate with and lead others.

She grew up in Mumbai, India and moved to the US to pursue an undergraduate degree in Organizational Psychology from Claremont McKenna College. Her interest in helping individuals thrive at work led her to Hone, where she designed leadership and people-skills training, and later to myPlace Health, where she collaborated with physicians to develop the What Matters Most training program—training healthcare professionals to identify patients’ priorities and align care and decision-making to those priorities. At Breathe for Change, she is working on building out a transformative Human Intelligence Curriculum for educators.

Outside of work, you can find Shania dancing at a bachata night, listening to music, or hosting gatherings at her home in Pasadena.

Karen Walton is an Educator Development Counselor who supports educators through a thoughtful, human centered journey into professional learning and development programs. She brings more than 23 years of sales experience into her work, which shows up as strong listening, clear communication, and a steady ability to help people make confident decisions.

Karen is known for creating clarity and momentum. She asks great questions, understands what matters most to each educator, and helps them map a path that feels aligned, realistic, and empowering. Her approach is warm and relational while still being highly organized and outcomes focused, so educators feel both supported and guided.

Outside of work, Karen loves personal growth, community, and meaningful conversations that help people reconnect with their purpose.

Megan Durrant is an Educator Development Counselor at Breathe for Change, where she supports educators in their growth and well-being. With experience working with disabled adults and supervising behavioral treatment centers supporting teen girls through mental health challenges, Megan brings a deeply empathetic and grounded foundation to her work. She went on to serve five years as a Lead Student Success Advisor at a technical college, where she guided students toward the right pathways while contributing to marketing, campus events, and student mental health initiatives. Megan is Trauma-informed (TRULA) trained and passionate about the intersection of mental wellness and education. She believes that when people feel truly seen and supported, they are empowered to thrive.

Alex Garner is the Finance & Technology Administrator at Breathe for Change. In addition to building and maintaining important data structures, overseeing impactful B2B & B2C financial arrangements, and teasing vital indicators out of custom data analysis, Alex contributes to his community through free Yoga and Music lessons, and organizing events to celebrate collective creativity.

Currently living in a beautiful valley in the Ecuadorian Andes, Alex’s diverse professional background includes designing hardware upgrades to the LHC at CERN, owning and operating businesses in foreign markets, and being a featured performer for over 50,000 people as a professional Magician. His years contributing to the mission and impact that Breathe for Change has driven in the education space are a source of immense pride.

Dr. Tammy Thompson Kapp is an Academic Advisor at Breathe for Change, where she guides educators as they bring wellness and social-emotional learning into their schools, districts, and communities. A deep believer in this work, Tammy has championed Breathe for Change since its inception.

As a principal in Madison, Wisconsin, she integrated mindfulness throughout her school community, then completed her yoga teacher training alongside her teachers to carry those practices into a second school she led. As the leader of the first school to adopt Breathe for Change school-wide, she remains one of its most devoted advocates. With more than 30 years in education, Tammy holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership; her dissertation examined school leaders’ perceptions of an inclusive, equity-focused social-emotional learning framework in diverse school settings. Tammy currently resides in Florida with her husband, where she enjoys time on the water and coastal living.