BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KELLY WOOD
Founder & Executive Director
E-RYT 200, RCYT, RPYT
Kelly Wood is the founder and Executive Director of Smiling Calm Hearts Open Our Learning, Inc. (SCHOOL, Inc.). She is a certified yoga teacher, an experienced teacher trainer, and a former studio owner with more than thirty years of experience in yoga and meditation practice. Kelly is considered an expert in her field and a pioneer in integrating yoga mindfulness practices that align with academic standards. She continues to teach extensively in Los Angeles County schools, mainly to underserved youths. By training educators, her program reaches school districts nationwide. Kelly has taught youths and adults in various settings, including district-wide training for Pasadena Unified School District educators, meditation classes for The Department of Family and Children Services staff, and yoga classes for Violence Intervention Program youths.
Kelly also has vast experience as a business owner—growing a successful studio in Los Angeles from the ground up. She runs an innovative online yoga teaching platform that offers recorded and live-streaming classes, professional development sessions, and training. Kelly’s education includes a BS in Marketing with a minor in Philosophy from Clemson University and a BA in Art History with a minor in Philosophy from Georgia State University. Her forthcoming book, Calm Breathing Calm Hearts: Social and Emotional Learning for School and Life, will be available in November 2023.
DR. Y. JANE TAVYEV
Y. Jane Tavyev, MD is Director of Pediatric Neurology at Pediatric Services at Cedars-Sinai. She is board certified in Neurology with Special Certification in Child Neurology. Dr. Tavyev is a member of several professional societies including the American Academy of Neurology, the American Neurological Association and the Child Neurology Society. Her clinical and research interest was in the area of autism. Jane’s education includes: Medical School, Baylor College of Medicine; Residency, Baylor College of Medicine; Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine.
LAURA LIPSCOMB
Laura Lipscomb is CEO of GreenWood, Inc. which provides integrated Maintenance, Construction and Production support services to plants and facilities. With a BA in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, Laura brings more than 25 years of extensive operations and administrative management experience to GreenWood, Inc., a women-owned business certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
LAURIE JEROME
Laurie Jerome is a certified legal professional with over 20 years of experience. In 2011 she was honored as the recipient of the E. W. Mullins, Sr. Paralegal Pro Bono Award for her commitment to pro bono service. As a student of yoga and a cancer survivor, Laurie generously volunteers with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's First Connection Program, Hands on Greenville, Meals on Wheels and Wills for Heroes. Laurie received her BA in Financial Management from Clemson University.
TRICIA HOEN, MPH
Tricia Hoen, MPH is the Assistant Director of Institutional Compliance at the University of Southern California. Tricia received her Master of Public Health in 2014 from Loyola University Chicago and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2010 from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Tricia is a certified compliance and ethics professional and has 12 years of experience building legal and compliance programs for Fortune 500 and non-profit institutions.
CAROLYN VAN HOSEN
Carolyn Van Hosen is a Cal State Fullerton graduate with a BA in Liberal Arts and holds a CFA Institute Investment Foundations Certificate. Her career began in the legal profession which led to IT implementations, training and customer support. Carolyn has worked for a Big Four Accounting and Consulting firm supporting all levels of technology. Since 2003, Carolyn has supported the frontline IT services for a Wall Street Investment firm as an IT Director. She enjoys opportunities to actively serve in her community, neighborhood and employer-sponsored events.
SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD
JANE PISANO, Ph.D.
Jane Pisano has more than 40 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. She was the president and director of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County for over 15 years, growing the museum attendance by more than 70%. Jane has also held prominent leadership positions in the education sector including USC School of Public Administration and USC Price School of Public Policy. Her degrees include: BA in Political Science, Stanford University; MA International Relations, Johns Hopkins University; PhD International Relations, Johns Hopkins University.
LIESCHEN BIERSTEDT
With a BA in Music and a BA in Psychology, Lieschen has maintained a successful music studio for over 30 years. Committed to music education, she was President of the Music Teachers’ Association of California from 2002-2004 and currently holds this position for a second term. Lieschen is a respected adjudicator of music competitions in Southern California and served on her local Hollywood Branch Board as well as the California State Board of Directors for many years.
LINDA McNAMARA, RN, MBA
Linda is a registered nurse whose career has spanned healthcare, global manufacturing, and academia. She was Director of the Joseph F. Sullivan Center at Clemson University, an academic nurse-managed health center. Linda was also a group personnel manager and employee relations manager for Michelin North America and a Vice President of Patient Services for Medical Personnel Pool. Linda has served on a number of national committees including the Director’s Council of Public Representatives (COPR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is co-author of a book titled If You Have to Wear an Ugly Dress, Learn to Accessorize and has authored or co-authored other publications, including those for peer-reviewed journals. Linda has an MBA from Clemson University and a BSN from Jacksonville State University. She is a graduate of the Johnson & Johnson/UCLA Health Care Executive Program.
DR. NICOLE A. FABRIS-CARRAL
Dr. Fabris-Carral attended UC Berkeley where she studied Biology and Spanish. After graduating, she spent one year teaching science at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California. She then went on to New York Medical College, graduating in 2004. Nicole returned to California for training and completed her residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles in 2007. Dr. Fabris-Carral joined Glendale Pediatrics in 2007. She is Board Certified in Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Los Angeles Pediatric Society. A mother of two girls and a yoga practitioner herself, Nicole recommends yoga to her young patients, especially for weight issues, anxiety, and focus.
SCHOOL STAFF
ROSA WHITE
Director of Communications
Rosa is a marketing communications and project manager who has worked primarily in financial services organizations that include Northwestern Mutual, Union Bank, Northern Trust, and in recent years, in the employee benefits industry. She is an accomplished, results-driven professional with expertise in strategic planning and organizational branding. Rosa earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a BS in Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University, and a Professional Designation in Personal Financial Planning from UCLA Extension.
ANNIKA IHNAT
Director of Digital Marketing
Annika is a marketing communications consultant, certified yoga teacher, and Accessible Yoga Ambassador. She is dedicated to helping health and wellness-oriented nonprofits and businesses connect with target audiences — and ultimately, increase donations and sales. Her expertise includes prospect research, grant writing, fundraising, email marketing, digital and print marketing materials, social media, and sales. Annika aims to make the tools and benefits of yoga and meditation available to as many people as possible. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and has completed 500+ hours of yoga teacher training.
