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The second of our speaker series features Sonia Ortiz-Gulardo, founding principal of Beginning with Children and a life-long educator. We’ll hear about her journey with BwC, from its early days to now, as she reflects on her remarkable experience as a leader in education over the last 30 years.
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Omar Lopez (he/him/his) was a member of BwC’s first graduating class. He is now a Talent Consultant at DRG, and supports nonprofits through the full life cycle of their talent needs including executive search, organizational design and alignment, transition planning, culture assessment and engagement.
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Yasmin Fisher (she/her/hers) was a member of BwC’s third graduating class. She is now the director, and a graduate of, the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) at Siena College.
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BwC's "Let's Talk" with Sonia Ortiz-Gulardo
Wednesday, December 8th
6:30 P.M.
Simply go to our YouTube channel for livestream coverage.
Omar Lopez &
Yasmin Fisher &
BwC Alumni
The spelling spots are limited so don’t delay. Each speller needs to raise $500 to participate. Sign up below to set up your personal fundraising page!
Spelling not your strongest skill? That’s ok! RSVP below to enjoy the festivities! Win US Open tickets, fine jewelry, unique experiences and more at the silent auction!
*Notes may be shared during the event
Ms. Sonia Ortiz-Gulardo is the Director of Parent Engagement and Community Outreach, providing a wide array of parent engagement and community outreach services for Beginning with Children (BwC). She was the Founding Principal of Beginning with Children Charter School, and went on to also become the founder of the BwC Alumni Program. She has worked under Mayor Koch’s Administration as the Assistant Director for Early Childhood Education, and has served as a classroom teacher, staff developer, and Director of Bilingual Programs in East Harlem. She serves on the boards of the READ Foundation, Literacy, Inc and ReConnect. Ms. Ortiz-Gulardo received a B.S. in Sociology and a M.S. in Education from Hunter College of the City University of New York.
Prior to joining DRG, Omar worked as a Search Consultant at On-Ramps, identifying talent in the social sector. He came to On-Ramps after six years at Relay Graduate School of Education where he served as the Director of Talent Acquisition, leading a team that drove the annual recruitment of over 100 full- and part-time staff and faculty across the country. Prior to Relay, Omar served as Director of Teacher Policy for Democrats for Education Reform. He started his career in the classroom, teaching 9th and 11th grade English at Williamsburg Charter High School and 5th grade English Language Arts at Community Partnership Charter School.
Omar earned a B.A. in English Secondary Education at The College of Saint Rose and an Ed.M. in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Omar now lives in Ossining, NY with his wife, two daughters, and wheaten terrier. He is active in local politics, serving as an Ossining Village Trustee.
Before returning to Siena, Ms. Fisher was the Director of Grant Programs at SUNY Adirondack Community College, and spearheaded efforts to start the first ever food pantry on campus. Before that she worked at the Posse Foundation helping to recruit, support and retain U.S. army veterans at three top tier schools (Vassar, Wesleyn, and Dartmouth).
Ms. Fisher earned a B.A. in Political Science from Siena College and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from L.I.U. She and her husband (also a Siena alum) live in Ballston Spa, NY with their two-year-old son.
