CHAIR

Namita Raina is Director of Communications at The Greater Boston Food Bank. She has 20 years of communications and marketing experience in a range of fields: nonprofit, government, education, civic engagement, museum/attraction, tourism, and media. Namita has held positions at the USS Constitution Museum, Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, WBUR, and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Her consulting clients have included the National Parks of Boston/National Park Service and the Cambridge Office for Tourism. Namita is a board member at WalkMassachusetts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Master of Business Administration, both from Boston University.

SECRETARY

Diana has served in various administrative roles including school governor. A career change brought her to Montessori education from a banking background in the City of London. Diana holds AMI diplomas at 0-3 and 3-6 levels and is completing an MA with Montessori. Having run her own Montessori setting for more than 20 years, she now serves as Executive Director of the Montessori Society AMI (UK). Diana believes in the strength of domestic and global collaborations to widen access to Montessori education.

Francoise was born and raised in Hartford, CT. Her parents were born and raised in Haiti before coming to the United States. Her parents believed that education was the key to survival and success. This gave her the foundation for work in education and philanthropy. She graduated from UConn with a BA in Sociology. Then she earned her Masters in Education at the University of Hartford. She also earned her AMI Primary Montessori certificate at the Montessori Training Center Northeast..

Francoise is a Primary Guide at Brookside Montessori Program in Norwalk, CT. Francoise is also an International Education Consultant. She travels to Montessori and traditional schools around the world providing educational support and professional learning opportunities for the educators.

When she is not teaching, Francoise is spending time with her family. She is a proud mother of four children.

Francoise is an elected member of the Hartford Board of Education. She serves as Secretary for the Board.

Francoise is an active member of the Greater Hartford Branch of the NAACP.

BOARD MEMBER

Joanna Hernandez is a seasoned human resources professional with experience spanning over two decades. She has made significant contributions to non-profit organizations and academic institutions by leading and nurturing HR teams. Joanna's journey has taken her to Harvard University, New England College of Optometry, National Center on Time and Learning, Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, and Harvey Mudd College. She plays a pivotal role in shaping company culture, fostering talent, and ensuring compliance. Joanna’s expertise includes strategic workforce planning, employee relations, talent acquisition, and organizational development. She serves on the Governance Committee for WalkMassachusetts. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clark University.

BOARD MEMBER

As an educator for 20 years Krystle advocates for educational excellence, bridging gaps between families and institutions. Her expertise extends from supporting homeschool families to designing professional learning experiences for collaborative child and family services. With her current work as a Literacy Academic Content Liaison in Baltimore City Public Schools, she has driven significant improvements in academic achievement. Her roles as a Consulting Teacher and Staff Development Teacher reflect a commitment to uplifting educators, evidenced by her focus on instructional best practices and professional development. With a rich history as a classroom teacher, she brings firsthand experience in diverse student instruction and leadership.

BOARD MEMBER

Jessica McCloskey brings over 15 years of educational experience and leadership acumen to her role as a board member. With a Master’s in Montessori Education and Organizational Management, coupled with teaching experience in Special Education and Montessori instruction, she is deeply committed to nurturing student success and fostering inclusive learning environments. Drawing from this rich background and teaching experience, Jessica has served as an assistant principal for a large culturally diverse school, advocating for best practices for all students. Presently, as the Founding Principal of Early Childhood at a public full-day preschool in Massachusetts, she remains steadfast in championing the Montessori philosophy, play-based learning, and inclusive practices in our classrooms.