Will C.
Curriculum Design Director
willc@psicreativeleadership.org

Will C. is a university professor and international performer, trainer, and administrator of Playback Theatre. He’s a respected poet and creative event planner who engages communities through the arts. In his free time, Will C. enjoys traveling, eating, cooking, surrounding himself by nature, and “building authentic relationships through existential conversations with empathetically reflective individuals.” He earned a B.A. in Theater Arts from Brandeis University and an M.Ed. in Arts in Education from Harvard University.

Lydia Cochrane
MA Performance Assessment for Leaders Coach

Lydia Cochrane is Principal at the Peacham Elementary School (PK-Grade 6), Peacham, VT. Previously, she was an elementary school principal for 7 years in St. Johnsbury (VT) School after 5 years at the Joseph A. Brown Middle School in Chelsea, MA. There she was the director of an academic intervention and STEM/21st Century Skill focused elective program, as well as a sixth-grade math teacher. She is moving to a new position as the principal of a small rural school in Peacham for the new school year. She is very excited for the opportunity to advocate for rural education. Lydia earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Smith College, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, a professional certificate in Creative Educational Leadership from Boston University and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Antioch University. Lydia is a PSi Alum as well, and a passionate advocate for educational equity and student-first learning communities.

Sung-Joon "Sunny" Pai
District Partnership Director
sunny@psicreativeleadership.org

A former teacher, administrator, and principal at several Boston Public Schools, Sunny is a seasoned K–12 educator. He also serves on the board of the Progressive Education Network. Previously, he advanced student-centered learning at Charlestown High School, Boston Arts Academy, Rainier Scholars, and the Media Communications Technology High School. Outside of work, he spends time at home with his wife and two sons in Jamaica Plain, coaches youth baseball, and roots for his beloved New York Yankees. Sunny earned a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.Ed. in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University, and a C.A.G.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Aisha Banda
Board Chair
(PSi 7, '23), K-5 Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Lexington Public Schools

Aisha Banda is the K-5 Social Studies Coordinator for Lexington Public Schools, where she is dedicated to fostering engaging and inclusive social studies education for young learners. With a passion for curriculum development and historical inquiry, Aisha supports educators in implementing best practices that promote analytical thinking, critical consciousness, and civic engagement in the classroom. She leads professional learning opportunities for teachers, equipping them with innovative strategies and resources to enhance student understanding of social justice and social studies concepts. Committed to equity and excellence in education, Aisha works collaboratively with educators to create meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity and a deeper connection to the world.

Christine Brito
(PSi 8, '24) Dean of Multilingual Learners and Dual Language Education, Arlington Elementary School, Lawrence Public Schools

Christine Brito has dedicated twenty-seven years to education, beginning her journey as an elementary teacher in the Dominican Republic. She later moved to Massachusetts, where she taught as a content ESL teacher for middle and high school students in Lawrence Public Schools. In 2021, she transitioned to Somerville Public Schools to direct their dual language program. Currently, Christine has returned to Lawrence Public Schools as the Dean of Multilingual Learners and Dual Language Education, where she is instrumental in implementing a new dual language program. Christine holds a bachelor's degree in Education from La Universidad Catolica Santo Domingo and a master's degree in english as a Second Language from Cambridge College. She also completed the DataWise Journey Advanced Studies program at Harvard University and is a proud alum of PSi Cohort 8. 

Demetrius Fuller
(PSi 6, '22) Assistant Principal, Frank M. Sokolowski School, Chelsea Public Schools

Nikki Olusanya
(PSi 7, '23), Director, BPS Arts Expansion, EdVestors

Nicole (Nikki) Olusanya is a community arts education practitioner with 20 years' experience working at the intersection of arts and education in Boston. She is the BPS Arts Expansion Director at EdVestors, providing grantmaking, advocacy, and support to arts partners providing accessible, meaningful arts education to BPS students. She also oversees the Bloomberg Arts Internship program, a paid arts administration summer internship for Boston rising high school seniors. She is Affiliated Faculty at Emerson College and a volunteer grant writer for Tucker Elementary School in Milton, MA. Nikki was previously Education Programs Manager at Company One Theatre, Special Initiatives Manager at ArtsEmerson, and an arts administrator in Boston Public Schools for 7 years at Dorchester Academy, BPS Visual and Performing Arts Department, and Boston Arts Academy. She is a proud alum of Boston Arts Academy’s first graduating class, an actor, and a co-founder of TC Squared Theatre Company. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Studies from Emerson College, a M.Ed in Arts, Community, and Education from Lesley University, and a graduate certificate of Creative Leadership from the Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership (Cohort 7). Her essay, co-written with Joshua Streeter, “From Vision to Implementation: Re-examining Essential Practices for Applied Theatre with Youth” was published in the book Applied Theatre with Youth: Education, Engagement, Activism.

Yaritza Peña
Energy Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, Boston

Yaritza Peña's dynamic professional background bridges the arts, academia, and environmental policy. She began her career in higher education admissions, working with student artists to enhance learning, creativity, and cultural engagement at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Through this work, she cultivated a deep commitment to inclusive education and the power of the arts as a catalyst for personal and societal growth. Building on that foundation, Yaritza transitioned into the environmental sector, where she now serves as an energy policy coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. In this capacity, she contributes to advancing clean energy policy and programs that prioritize climate resilience, environmental justice, and long-term sustainability. Her cross-sector experience informs a holistic approach to community empowerment that highlights the intersection of education, equity, and climate action.