Our Team
Since our founding, our leadership team has included public school educators, mental health specialists, and local leaders with on the ground experience
Co- Founder and Board Chair
Nicole Gavin
Nicole holds a BA from Colgate University with majors in Political Science and Economics. Outside of FOZ, she works as a strategy consultant, advising on mergers and acquisitions. Nicole has been the primary strategic planner and one of the fundraisers for the Zawadi Yetu project. She has devoted countless hours to developing and furthering the Zawadi Yetu project’s goals and activities
Co- Founder & Vice Chair
Jennifer Barnard
Jennifer received a BS in Management from Villanova University and holds a Master’s in Elementary Education from Fordham University. She spent 10 years as an elementary school teacher and is currently trained Orton Gillingham reading specialist and tutor. Jennifer is a child advocate for Child Advocates of SW Connecticut and a Board Chair for The Rowan Center, a sexual assault resource agency. She has assisted and supported all aspects of the Zawadi Yetu project’s goals and activities
Board Member
Emily Barnard
Emily received a BA in Political Science and Psychology from Boston University. Emily has 3 years of experience in health services and psychiatry research at Boston Medical Center (BMC). She also has served as a volunteer on several BMC projects benefitting the local Boston community. Emily also works as an inpatient mental health specialist at McLean Hospital