A Movement to
Transform Education

Dr. Ilana Nankin—the Founder & CEO of Breathe For Change—is an award-winning entrepreneur, teacher educator, and former public school teacher committed to using wellness as a vehicle for healing and social change. Ilana earned degrees in both psychology and education at UC Berkeley, and received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at University of Wisconsin. Her dissertation revealed the critical connection between educator well-being and student learning, and the positive impact that wellness and social-emotional learning can have on teachers and students’ lives. Inspired by her research, Ilana founded Breathe For Change, a movement on a mission to enhance the health and well-being of educators, students, and entire communities. Breathe For Change offers the world’s only 200-hour Mindfulness, SEL, and Yoga Teacher Training specifically for educators, and provides wellness and SEL professional development for schools, districts, and organizations. Since 2015, Breathe For Change has certified 10,000+ educators through their 200-hour training, who are now positively impacting the lives and well-being of over 2,000,000 students around the country.

Michael is a social entrepreneur and facilitator who has started four successful companies including Breathe For Change, a movement enhancing the well-being of over 5,000,000 teachers, students, and school community members. Passionate about conscious leadership, Michael is also co-founder of PRDX, a community of founders co-creating belonging and flow, and Prism.fm, a music tech company powering 100,000+ shows per year. Michael lives in Austin with his wife Adriana and dog Zuri where you’ll find him freestyle rapping, playing pickleball, and getting creative with his friends.

Sam is the Senior Vice President of Product at Breathe For Change and a member of the founding team. He started 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. He is a successful entrepreneur in the education sector, where he’s held leadership positions at innovative companies in K-12 and higher education like Amplify, Coursera and Hone.

Sam is a certified professional coach, transformational leadership facilitator and certified yoga teacher (through Breathe For Change). He holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University, with a concentration in mind, body and spirituality practices. He has facilitated workshops in leadership for tens of thousands of leaders across the globe over the past decade.

Sam lives in Boulder, CO and enjoys spending time with his growing family – his wife Talia and 2 young children, Jonah and Nora. Sam is a triathlete, and completed his first Ironman race in 2020. He loves to travel, meet new people with different perspectives, and is continually humbled by all there is to learn and experience.

As VP of Operations, I drive our annual goal setting and ensure company-wide alignment on goal execution. I achieve this through managing the development of team leaders, and empowering team members to adopt strategies to collaborate effectively and enhance efficiency. Through open communication and data-driven discussions, I aim to spark purpose and passion within the organization. Prior to my role in operations I taught math, language arts, mindful movement and SEL for 6 years at a Title I middle school in Madison, WI. I’m also a Cohort 9 graduate of the Breathe For Change Mindfulness, SEL, and Yoga Teacher Training.

A growth hacker by trade, Julia leverages analytics, creative, and innovation to deliver rapid revenue growth and scale Breathe For Change’s impact while staying true to core values of equity and accessibility for all.

Previous to Breathe For Change, Julia was the co-founder and CEO of Yoga Ed., acquired by Breathe For Change in June 2023. Julia spent her formative years immersed in Buddhist mindfulness practices while learning to code at 10 years old on her first computer. At Brown University, Julia received her Bachelor’s of Science in Human Biology: The Brain and Behavior where she explored the nuanced intersection of data-driven science, centuries-old mindfulness practices, and how human beings find connection in themselves and the world around them.

Julia’s unique and integrated expertise allows her to bridge Breathe For Change’s vision, strategy, and execution. Outside of work, Julia finds joy through the simple moments of love and laughter with her two children and puppy at home in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Kelli spent more than 29 years in public education with roles ranging from classroom teacher to building principal to district Director of School Leadership.

After earning her doctorate in curriculum from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, she began to work to design a new teacher induction program for Texas schools that was grounded in positive behavior, systems, mindful practices, and social emotional health. During the years that she served as a district director, a professional development, she always grounded her professional development presentations and trainings in mindful practices regardless of the content being delivered, so that every educator that she had the privilege to lead received tools for their own well-being that then informed their professional practices. She’s also a 500-ERYT yoga instructor, is a certified Masters of wisdom meditation teacher, and is certified by The Chopra Center as an Ayurvedic health coach. All of these yoga tools inform her practices as an educational leader.

One of her greatest strengths is coaching and empowering school leaders to create environments of health and well-being for their staff so that ultimately staff are doing the same thing for the students and families they serve. She firmly believes that without wellness being kept as a priority at the leadership level, schools will never perform at the level of expectations that our state legislature is setting for them.

Michelle Cordero, Breathe For Change’s Head Trainer, has devoted the last 3 decades to deepening her connection to and sharing the powerful practice of yoga with the world. Michelle has led retreats, workshops, and teacher trainings internationally, and was voted “Best Yoga Teacher of the East Bay” by Oakland Magazine. She is certified at the highest level with the Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 & YACEP credentials.

Michelle’s greatest passion is inspiring educators to teach yoga in an inclusive and accessible way. She teaches with a sense of humor, curiosity and compassion. Michelle’s classes are inclusive, gender affirming, trauma-informed and uniquely tailored to meet the needs of each student regardless of experience, age, gender, or body shape.Michelle has contributed greatly to the development of Breathe For Change’s 200-hour Training, 300-hour Training, Professional Development offerings, and Educator Collective events.

Michelle has her Master’s Degree, a certificate in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy and is a Certified Wellness Coach and Craniosacral Work practitioner, and has trained with the Trauma Center’s Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TC-TSY) program and the Trauma Informed Resilience Oriented Approach (TIRO). She also completed a 75-hour Skill in Action training with Michelle C Johnson, focused on the intersection of Yoga and Social Justice. Michelle is inspired and honored to be guiding you along your yoga teaching journey.

Izzi has been practicing yoga in various spaces since 2008, and has always worked within the realms of education and service. While living in Denver, CO, she worked as an Early Childhood Lead Teacher, completed a Master’s Degree in Education and Human Development, participated in over 500 hours of Yoga Teacher Training with The River Yoga, supported her first Breathe for Change 200-hour training, and led weekly classes in deep stretch meditation, candlelight vinyasa, and power vinyasa. Izzi is now living in Massachusetts, and – alongside her work with B4C – she is a Lecturer in Human Development and Family Relationships, teaching online undergraduate courses for the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Education and Human Development. In addition to all of the inspiring B4C trainers she has worked with, her mentors in yogic training and practice include Dr. Christa Kuberry (Yoga Alliance Vice President of Standards), Christen Bakken (let it be Meaning Full), Anthony Davis (Shapeshift Wellness), Steph Winsor (stephwinsor.com), Kady Lafferty (Yoga Alliance Director of Standards; Big Booty Yoga), and Samy Mattei (Yoga Mattei)

Dr. LaShawn C. Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Relational Change Strategist focusing on the interactions between people and across differences where connection matters most. Her anti-oppression work centers on the effects of marginalization, isolation, and disconnection in personal and professional spaces. 

She holds Masters in Social Work and in Public Administration from Marywood University, and a Doctorate of Education from the College of Saint Mary, where she focused on educating health professionals. She specializes in interpersonal and organizational change from the margins to the center. 

Grounded in Relational Cultural Theory, Dr. Williams works with leaders at every level to help them engage the taboo concepts of interpersonal shame and humiliation to create pathways toward mutual empathy and empowerment. She is passionate about Relational Transformation and eagerly supports individuals, couples, families and groups through her practice. 

She is a certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change and is currently a social emotional learning expert facilitator in the organization.

Dr. Salina Gray is an educator, researcher, and trauma-informed coach specializing in healing through resilience building. Her educational career of 25 years includes research and classroom teaching, serving students from elementary through graduate school. 

Salina earned her doctorate from Stanford University in the area of Curriculum and Instruction in Science Education. Her research focuses on the intersection of racial and science identity with an emphasis on social justice science teaching. Her work has been disseminated at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, the Teachers for Social Justice conference, Free Minds Free People, and the American Educational Research Association.

Salina is trained in trauma-informed facilitation and has vast experience and publications in the field of social justice. She is a certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change and is currently a mentor and social emotional learning expert facilitator in the organization.

Dr. Barbara Malkas is the Superintendent of North Adams School District in Massachusetts. She has served as an educator for over 36 years and in 2024 was honored as Superintendent of the Year by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. In each of her roles, she strives to improve the quality of education for all students, particularly those representing underserved populations. 

Barbara Malkas holds a Master of Science degree in Science Education from St. John’s University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the Sage Colleges of Albany.

Her doctoral research studied the impact of collaboration as a systemic reform initiative in large urban districts. She found that shared leadership and mutual accountability can lead organizations to increased clarity, coherence, and professional growth.

Dr. Malkas is a 500 hour certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change. Recently, her district engaged with Breathe for Change as a research site identifying the positive outcomes for students and staff when these strategies are taught, used, and supported.

Dr. Malkas resides in Clarksburg, MA with her husband, and their two dogs and cat. She is the proud parent of two young adults.

Rabia Meghani (she/her) is a Medical Researcher, Behavioral Therapist, Educator, Yoga Therapist and a student of Kathak. Rabia’s formal education is in public health, epidemiology and education. Merging her knowledge of disease and education with the ancient science of Yoga and Ayurveda, Rabia aims to make these practices accessible to the masses while honoring the roots of the science. Her passion lies in integrating yoga and mindfulness in K-12 and higher education spaces.

Rabia uses her knowledge of yoga, ayurveda and mindfulness to help those experiencing physical and emotional ailments. When it comes to healing, Rabia believes that one size does not fit all. This is why she works on the full person and caters her practices to each and every individual. Currently Rabia is working on creating mindfulness and yoga tools to be made accessible in K-12 and higher education settings. Her hope is to lobby for systemic change to make these nervous system healing modalities accessible to all. To learn more about Rabia, please visit www.rabiameghani.com

Dr. Tammy Thompson Kapp’s 30+ years in education includes experiences at all levels, 4K through 12th grade. During her career, Tammy has worked as a classroom teacher, school improvement facilitator, educational consultant, elementary and alternative high school principal, director of elementary education, and assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. These experiences have continued to support her passion to support and build capacity in educators to ensure high quality teaching and learning for all students while also fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging.

Dr. Tammy Thompson Kapp holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and Master of Arts in adaptive education from Alverno College. She holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University and obtained a Director of Instruction Certification from Marquette University.  She earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College for her dissertation studying School Leaders’ Perceptions of an Inclusive, Equity Focused Social-Emotional Learning Framework in Diverse School Settings.

She is a certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change and is a faculty advisor in the organization.

Yvonne M. Roberson is a Licensed Educator at the middle school level of a large urban school district, where she has served for 28 years.  She is the author of two children’s books, School The Perfect Place For Yoga and I Just Need to Breathe. These books are learning tools that bridge the gap between literacy, mindfulness, and social emotional learning.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Policy and Leadership from The University of Dayton, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology for The Ohio State University and a Teaching License from Ohio Dominican College. She specializes in interpersonal and organizational change with staff members through professional development that covers SEL, PBIS and restorative practices. Yvonne works with leaders and teachers at every level administering district and school wide professional development opportunities and examining schoolwide data to determine action plans for improving school culture, climate and academic conditions.  

Yvonne is a certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change and is leading the charge of teaching yoga and mindfulness skills to urban children that traditionally have not had the opportunity to learn these skills. She teaches yoga skills to children in her school district and the community.  She currently is employed as a Social Emotional Learning Practitioner and a Restorative Practices Trainer in her school district and a Faculty Advisor for The Breathe For Change Masters Program.

Dr. Laurie Hofman’s 25+ years in education includes teaching and administration in rural and suburban elementary schools. For over ten years she has also served in higher education where she supports teachers pursuing additional endorsements and advanced degrees. She recently added work with undergraduate teacher education candidates to her professional experience. She loves working with people who are entering the field of education as well as those who are currently teaching. 

Dr. Laurie Hofman earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Irvine and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction/Educational Leadership from University of Phoenix. Her dissertation focused on the Perceived Effects of Courage to Teach Self-Reflective Practices on Teacher Stress. 

Supporting teachers in their professional roles as well as in their personal lives continues to be a passion, and she is excited to serve as a Faculty Advisor for Breathe for Change!

Alicia is a multifaceted professional dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, particularly for marginalized individuals. By day, she serves as an adjunct professor, imparting knowledge in English Education for Chicago Public School students via Kennedy King as she has done for the last twenty-two years. By night, she transforms into a therapist, focusing on areas such as sex education, domestic violence, and self-care, rooted in her extensive educational background.

Alicia holds a diverse array of degrees, including a Bachelor’s in English Education from Northeastern Illinois University, a Master of Fine Arts from Chicago State University, an Education Specialist degree from Concordia University, and a Masters in Social Work from Aurora University. Her commitment to holistic wellness is reflected in her certifications in yoga, mediation, anger management, sex therapy, and Gottman Levels 1 & 2.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Alicia finds joy in family bonds, cherishing moments with her three adult children, grandchildren, and siblings. She indulges her creative spirit through gardening and the art of candle making. Currently residing in Chicago, Alicia continues to advocate for mental health equity and empowerment within her community and beyond.

Darcy’s love of education began in the mountains of Idaho. With an emphasis on outdoor learning and leadership, her schooling inspired a genuine interest in the field of education. It was this interest that propelled her to Tulane University in New Orleans, where she earned her BA in Psychology and Philosophy, before attending Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, and earning a Master’s in Education.

Darcy has been fortunate to work at some of the finest progressive schools in the country. Having spent time at Brookline Elementary in Massachusetts and Crow Island Elementary in Winnetka, Illinois, she has enjoyed the emphasis on innovative teaching ideas, experiential learning, and witnessing profound growth among her learners.

Her desire to expand her role in education led her to obtain a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership and take her 16 years of teaching experience into an administrative role. She currently works as Roycemore’s Early Childhood and Lower School Division Head in Evanston, IL, where she implements new initiatives to foster belonging, trauma informed practices, and SEL within the early childhood and lower school division and faculty community.

Darcy is an active advocate of early childhood education and is a member of the Evanston Early Childhood Council, serving on the steering committee. Her desire to synthesize mindfulness into daily routines led her to become a Mindful Coach (Mindful Education Training with Daniel Rechtschaffen) in 2018. More recently, she has been trained as a trauma-informed SEL Coach and became a certified RYT 500 yoga instructor through Breathe for Change.

I have been an educator as long as I can remember and I realized early on that it wasn’t simply about teaching content, but about connecting with diverse groups of people, whether children or adults from so many different backgrounds that I enjoyed most. I loved conversing with folks about any challenges they were having, supporting them in problem-solving said issues, and celebrating when they were successful. Yes, there were times that we had to come back to the drawing board, and when this happened, there were lessons learned that could be applied to the next strategy.