The Rev Dr Leonisa Ardizzone, Founder & President
The Rev Dr Leonisa Ardizzone has been a science and peace educator for over 30 years. She has spent most of her life working in education in various capacities but always driven by the same vision: to create a more just and equitable world. She has been a middle and high school teacher, a museum and environmental educator, a university professor, a non-profit executive, an entrepreneur/small business owner, an instructional coach, and an education consultant. Rev Leonisa, also known as Dr. A, has created curricula for schools, after-school programs, and museums, including a Climate Change Program for the City of New York (through the Department of Design and Construction).
Leonisa began her teaching career at the American Indian Heritage School in Seattle, then worked with under-resourced youth at a BOCES high school in Ithaca. After receiving her doctorate in 2001, she served on the faculty of Adelphi University and Fordham University, leaving the academy in 2007 to run (and grow) the Salvadori Center (a STEAM not-for-profit) for five years. In 2012, she opened Storefront Science in Manhattan, which was awarded “Best of New York” in the Children’s Category by New York Magazine. When she relocated to Rosendale, she became an Instructional Coach for Ulster County BOCES and then joined the faculty at Vassar College in 2019. During her various roles, Leonisa has presented her work all over the world, and published numerous articles and two books; Gettin’ My Word Out (SUNY Press) and Science-Not Just for Scientists (Gryphon House).
Leonisa holds a BA in Biology (Ithaca College), an EdM in science education (Western Washington University), an Ed.D. in International Educational Development with a concentration in Peace Education from Columbia University, and an MDiv with a focus on Inter-religious Engagement (Union Theological Seminary).
Leonisa has a permanent teaching certificate in New York State (biology, general science). An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, Rev Leonisa is a member of the Kingston Interfaith Council, a core organizer with GreenFaith, co-chair of the Broader Social Impacts Committee at the Smithsonian’s Hall of Human Origins, and a member of the Zen Peacemakers Order. In addition, Leonisa is an accomplished jazz musician (having released three albums), a mom, and a resident of Rosendale. www.leonisaardizzone.com
Get in touch with Leonisa at revdrleonisa@pechv.org
Leonisa began her teaching career at the American Indian Heritage School in Seattle, then worked with under-resourced youth at a BOCES high school in Ithaca. After receiving her doctorate in 2001, she served on the faculty of Adelphi University and Fordham University, leaving the academy in 2007 to run (and grow) the Salvadori Center (a STEAM not-for-profit) for five years. In 2012, she opened Storefront Science in Manhattan, which was awarded “Best of New York” in the Children’s Category by New York Magazine. When she relocated to Rosendale, she became an Instructional Coach for Ulster County BOCES and then joined the faculty at Vassar College in 2019. During her various roles, Leonisa has presented her work all over the world, and published numerous articles and two books; Gettin’ My Word Out (SUNY Press) and Science-Not Just for Scientists (Gryphon House).
Leonisa holds a BA in Biology (Ithaca College), an EdM in science education (Western Washington University), an Ed.D. in International Educational Development with a concentration in Peace Education from Columbia University, and an MDiv with a focus on Inter-religious Engagement (Union Theological Seminary).
Leonisa has a permanent teaching certificate in New York State (biology, general science). An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, Rev Leonisa is a member of the Kingston Interfaith Council, a core organizer with GreenFaith, co-chair of the Broader Social Impacts Committee at the Smithsonian’s Hall of Human Origins, and a member of the Zen Peacemakers Order. In addition, Leonisa is an accomplished jazz musician (having released three albums), a mom, and a resident of Rosendale. www.leonisaardizzone.com
Get in touch with Leonisa at revdrleonisa@pechv.org
Bea Brindle, Media & Outreach Director
My name is Bea Brindle (they/them), originally from the UK. With my roots grounded in earth conservation, I have spent the past years immersing myself in community living, permaculture, herbalism and environmental and human rights activism. I am passionate about spiritual wellness and our interpersonal connection with one another and our natural surroundings
Jane Ahn (Board of Directors)
Jane (she/her) is a current graduate student in Sociology and Community & Environmental Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is deeply interested in issues of community, climate violence, and peace education. She also loves to read, play with her two cats, and cook new recipes.
Victoria Berrios (Board of Directors)
Victoria Berrios is currently finishing a two-year journey as the Manager of Education and Community Relations at the Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History. Born and raised in Kingston, NY, but with a penchant for wandering, Victoria is passionate about place, people, and how intersectionality affects the work of peace and justice in our everyday lives. She graduated from Messiah University in 2022 with a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies, and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Victoria’s professional interests include oral history and advocating for African and African-descendent Burial Grounds. She currently serves as the clerk of the Kingston Interfaith Council, and loves to engage in collaborative interfaith work. She enjoys salsa dancing, volunteering at the Pine St. African Burial Ground, writing poetry and a good, long story around a campfire. One of her goals is to become a published children’s book author.
Nic Colannino (Board of Directors)
Julio Gonzalez (Board of Directors)
My name is Julio Gonzalez (he/him), a native Bronxite who has enjoyed taking steps towards transformative education. I am currently working as an Admissions Officer at Prep for Prep, an nyc-based educational non-profit. I look forward to working in many spaces that will engage my critical thinking and ability to step out of my comfort zone. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time rooting for the New York Knicks and going to the movie theaters (animated movies are my favorite!).
Laura Benton (Board of Directors)
Laura started her adult career in the military, completing separate enlistments in the US Navy and Air Force, followed by several administrative jobs in the civilian for-profit sector. Eventually, she found her way to Grace Smith House, Inc. (GSH), a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence. Over the next 16 years and working alongside dedicated social workers, Laura developed a lens and a passion for human service work. She wore a number of ‘hats’ for GSH
including computer person, overnight counselor, volunteer coordinator, shelter director, and human resources manager. Following her departure from the agency she served on the GSH Board from 2017-2020. She is still a friend of the agency and remains a strong domestic violence advocate. Laura’s career path eventually led her to the Human Resources field in both nonprofit and for-profit settings. She holds a BS degree from Empire State College in Community and Human Services with an emphasis on Human Service Management.
including computer person, overnight counselor, volunteer coordinator, shelter director, and human resources manager. Following her departure from the agency she served on the GSH Board from 2017-2020. She is still a friend of the agency and remains a strong domestic violence advocate. Laura’s career path eventually led her to the Human Resources field in both nonprofit and for-profit settings. She holds a BS degree from Empire State College in Community and Human Services with an emphasis on Human Service Management.
Dr Maria Hantzopoluos (Advisory Board)
Maria Hantzopoulos earned her BA from Boston University in History, her MA in Social Studies Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and her doctorate at Teachers College in International Educational Development. Her work broadly considers how educational processes structure inequity in their contexts and beyond. Her research interests include school culture and climate, project-based assessment, peace and human rights education, migration and education, and social studies curricula. She has written numerous articles and released two books about peace education. Her latest is “Educating for Peace and Human Rights”.