Kathleen is a transformational leader who thrives on turning potential into progress. With 15 years of experience in EdTech, SaaS, and nonprofit leadership, she specializes in strategic planning, omnichannel marketing, and organizational growth. She taught for six years in Pre-K through 12th grades, and also designed and led educational programs in both online and in-person settings. Kathleen holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Music, a unique combination that fuels her ability to think strategically while understanding the power of creativity and education. 

Jillian Pawlowski

Kristin Schmoke

Program Director & Head Coach

Parent Coach

Jillian is a trauma informed certified transformation coach. She specializes in radical self-love, metacognition, consciousness, and the unification of mind and body to help people transform the way they experience themselves and life. Her expertise provides a safe space for clients to grow towards expansive self-love and self-actualization. Her passion for personal and professional growth is the foundation for her calling: to make the world a kinder, more loving place. Take a look at this CLIP from Jillian's impact talk. (Watch the full talk HERE) 

Kristin Schmoke is a certified parent coach and mom of four, dedicated to helping you simplify the challenges of parenthood while fostering deeper, more meaningful connections with children. With 25 years of experience as a teacher, Kristin has had the unique opportunity to observe child development at every stage, allowing her to refine her approach and better support families. Her education and own experiences navigating the ups and downs of parenting have shaped her perspective, giving her a fresh, empathetic approach to helping parents build stronger, more connected relationships with their kids.   

Liz Pawlowski

Renee Duncan

Curriculum Writer

Data Acquisition Specialist

Liz brings 15 years of dedicated experience as an elementary school teacher to her current role as assistant principal of a vibrant PK-8 school. With a deep passion for fostering a safe and loving educational environment, Liz is committed to nurturing young minds while also supporting the growth and positive experience of all staff members. She believes in creating a collaborative community where both students and educators thrive. Her career is marked by a profound dedication to creating engaging, inclusive learning experiences and a genuine desire to help every student and staff member reach their full potential.

Meet the Team

Renee is a New York City and Australian certified music teacher holding a Doctor of Education. She currently teaches in NYC and serves as a Digital Media Manager for the Music Educator's Association of New York (MEANYC). As a research specialist, Renee is a regular presenter at state, national, and international conferences and has published articles on K-12 curriculum, instruction, and technology integration. Renee has followed Jen's journey with Empowered Educator from the beginning and is excited to join this amazing team.

Kathleen Staten, MBA

Chief Operating Officer

Lisa Gaede

Client Success Manager

Lisa spent 30 years as an elementary school speech-language pathologist. She thrives on personal interaction and cultivating relationships with those that take part in Empowered Educator programs, and provides backend support to the Empowered Educator team. Lisa loves watching the remarkable growth Empowered Educator participants experience, as they step into their authentic selves and power.

Renee Duncan