Nicole Riley is an entrepreneur, educator and activist with 20 plus years of experience working in public schools and private settings. She is committed to social justice, wellness and the transformational power of communities from within.  As a teacher, lead coach, restorative justice coordinator and dean at Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School in New York City for over a decade, she led a movement to change the climate and culture of the school by focusing on community wellness and restorative practices.   As a result, EAR WSHS was chosen to be a mentor school and one of the five case study schools in NYC for promising practices in restorative justice.  Nicole’s stewardship in healthy school initiatives earned EAR WSHS national attention with a visit from Michelle Obama after winning a gold medal from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.   

 

Today, Nicole is the Director of Operations for Yucca Palm Mutualism, a consulting firm that facilitates transformative change through holistic approaches with all stakeholders to create equitable environments.  Yucca Palm Mutualism empowers organizations to solve problems, improve climate, enhance communication, and increase achievement while encompassing  an equity framework.  Nicole also freelances as an education consultant.   She is the chairman of the board and co-founder of the nonprofit Kevin M. Penn Foundation.  Additionally, Nicole serves on the board of Teachers Unite in the finance and fundraising committee working alongside teachers, parents and students in the fight for social and economic justice in public schools.  

 

 Nicole lives with her wife in Manhattan, New York.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, traveling, creating art, bike riding and spending time with friends and family.