OUR PEOPLE
The people behind our mission
Our team
Nicholas Carlisle
CEO
Sophie Martin
Program Manager
Andrea Montanari
Creative Director
Russ West
Social Media Maestro
Kathy Grey
Senior Education Advisor
Mary Hinks-Edwards
Strategic Communications Advisor
Anne-Marie Oni
Writer
Our trainers
Ann Vitale
Trainer
Hailley Turakhia Shah
Trainer for India
Kathy DeNiro
Trainer
Linda Fisher
Trainer
Dakota Hoyt
Trainer
Jen Brevoort
Trainer
Our global alliance
The global coalition that convenes twice a year to ensure children’s wellbeing in the digital age.
Always looking for good people
If you have ideas about what you could bring to our team, we’d love to hear from you.
Nicholas Carlisle
Chair, Power of Zero
At seventeen, Nicholas Carlisle left England to teach mathematics at a rural school in Zimbabwe, an experience that led to a lifetime of commitment to education and to the wellbeing of others. He obtained an undergraduate degree from Oxford University, qualified as a human rights barrister in London, chaired the Amnesty International Charitable Trust, and then retrained in California as a marriage and family therapist, practicing for many years as a child and adult psychotherapist specialising in trauma. He founded No Bully in 2009, scaling it to one of the leading bullying-prevention programs in the United States, before launching Power of Zero as an international coalition dedicated to helping ensure children’s wellbeing in the digital age.
Nicholas gave a TEDx talk on bullying in 2015, and has been recognized by Toms as a Game Changer and by Ashoka as a Champion of Children’s Wellbeing.
Sophie Martin
Program Manager
Sophie Martin (Program Manager) is an educational psychologist and safeguarding professional with over a decade of experience in education. She has led initiatives in socio-emotional learning, child protection, and digital safety, training hundreds of educators and building student-led safeguarding teams.
Her work is grounded in the belief that nurturing children’s resilience and honoring each individual’s uniqueness are essential for creating safer, kinder school cultures.
Sophie holds a Master’s degree in Psychopedagogy from the University of Barcelona and a Postgraduate degree in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of La Sabana in Colombia.
Andrea Montanari
Creative Director
Andrea Montanari is our Creative Director, bringing to Power of Zero over 20 years of international experience in brand and design strategy, execution, and management.
Having led creative teams for global organisations such as The Economist, Bumble, and Hilton, he has consistently championed a culture of learning, collaboration, and belonging — fostering environments where new ideas can flourish and people grow together.
Now, as both a father and a community leader, Andrea is dedicated to using his creativity and leadership to help build a better future for the next generation, partnering with organisations that share his values and commitment to positive change.
Russ West
Social Media Maestro
Russ West (Social Media Maestro) has worked on various digital marketing and social media projects ranging from both nonprofit and private organizations. Focused on creating and executing digital marketing strategies that align with the mission of an organization.
He has 8 years of experience in coaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to children of all ages and helps teach his students anti bullying methods. He seeks to create a safer environment for children online and to help handle bullying in a safe and constructive manner.
Russ has a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in technology from the University of Houston – Clear Lake.
Kathy Grey
Senior Education Advisor
Kathy Grey (Senior Education Advisor) served as Vice President of Education for No Bully and directed the No Bully Trainers throughout the US.
She is an engaging and passionate leadership coach and conflict mediator with over a decade of experience as a positive changemaker inspiring innovative ideas and culture transformation for organizations.
Kathy is results-driven. She has strategized and led executive level coaching at the global level with training programs to actively engage learners in climate and culture change. Additionally, she is a seasoned public speaker bringing a unique perspective to over 400 international organizations, educational institutions, and conferences as a subject-matter expert on systems change, organizational culture, diversity and inclusion, and bullying prevention.
Kathy is passionate about our youth, believing firmly that we build a healthy, strong community by empowering the younger generation and ensuring that they are given every opportunity to succeed.
Kathy began her career as an educator with Head Start fueling her commitment to serving our youth and communities. Prior to her work in education, she was an arbitrator working in conflict resolution, resolving grievances for United Airlines.
Mary Hinks-Edwards
Strategic Communications Advisor
Mary Hinks-Edwards (Strategic Communications Advisor) is a communications professional with expertise across a broad range of disciplines including media relations, digital/social media, policy and public affairs and reputation management.
She currently leads global communications strategies in infectious diseases therapeutics at global biopharma company GSK. Mary loves the challenge of communicating complex topics in a simple way, and enjoys developing solid communications strategies to support business objectives.
Mary is a mother of two young girls who are just about to start their online journeys.
Ann Vitale
Trainer
Ann Vitale (Power of Zero Trainer) is an enthusiastic professional who combines successful, results-oriented experience in technology with advanced degrees to deliver coaching, group facilitation, and training services to individuals and organizations.
Ann has developed Career and Success Coaching programs for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. She has delivered trainings and leadership coaching sessions for K-12 administrators and staff with the No Bully program since 2018.
Ann’s volunteer activities include Board positions with PFLAG Atlanta and PALS Atlanta, pro bono career coaching for the LGBTQ community, and involvement with local political organizations.
She has an undergraduate degree from the University at Albany, an MBA from Northeastern University, and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University.
Hailley Turakhia Shah
Trainer for India
Hailley Turakhia Shah (Power of Zero Trainer for India) is a Life, Well-being, and Happiness Coach focusing on child and youth well-being.
With a private practice for the last couple of years coaching individuals, she is presently ushering in well-being programs at Indian formal and informal educational institutions.
She is a lively and passionate communicator at heart and cares deeply for the lives of the children and families she works with. Her firm belief in the infinite capacity of every individual supports her passion to equip children with the skills they need to live fulfilling lives.
When not working she enjoys exploring different cultures with her husband.
Kathy DeNiro
Trainer
Kathy DeNiro (Power of Zero Trainer) is a native Coloradoan. She received her PhD, from the University of Denver. She served in central and school administration roles, teaching and staff positions. Past experience also includes School Board President and School Board Director for a district in Colorado.
Kathy is passionate about reducing and ending the cycle of bullying in our schools. She has delivered trainings throughout the nation and firmly believes that kids want to learn, teachers want to teach and everyone, including parents, wants a safe and caring learning environment.
Her honors include selection as Colorado Middle School Principal of the Year from the National Association Secondary School Principals. Also, a member of the United States Olympic Committee Sportsfestival, 1978, 1979 and United States Olympic Committee World Hemisphere Tournament, Taipei, Twain, 1981, serving as a certified athletic trainer of sports medicine. Dr. DeNiro is a past Colorado Association of Secondary Principals (CASSP), Board of Directors, Region 6, National Association Secondary School Principals, Urban Schools Committee Region 5.
Linda Fisher
Trainer
Linda Fisher (Power of Zero Trainer) is a 43 year veteran in the field of education, including 31 years of classroom teaching and 12 years in educational administration.
Linda has long been a strong advocate of creating classroom and school cultures where all children are valued and able to reach their full potential. Her work in staff development included mentoring and coaching math K-8, Cultural Proficiency training, best practices for teaching English Language Learners, Differentiated Instruction as well as instructional strategies for GATE students.
Linda helped with the implementation of the No Bully System throughout her K-12 district . She retired in June of 2013 and joined the staff of No Bully trainers.
Between 2013 and 2019 Linda coached over 150 schools how to implement the No Bully Program.
Dakota Hoyt
Trainer
Dakota Hoyt (Power of Zero Trainer) has been in education for 30 years as a teacher, math/science specialist, assistant principal, director of professional development, and as an educational consultant.
Dakota’s keynotes and training work span Early Head Start through college students and parent groups at the local, national, and international level.
Jen Brevoort
Trainer
Jennifer Brevoort, M.Ed. (trainer) is a nationally recognized educator, curriculum developer, and training consultant.
At the heart of Jen’s work is a deep belief that the answers to education’s greatest challenges already exist within the expertise of teachers. She sees her role as one of uncovering these powerful insights, amplifying innovation, and systematizing the practices that lead to transformational change.
In addition to her work in professional development, Jen is the Founder and President of PopUpPlay, a Philadelphia-based initiative that leverages the power of play to convene diverse communities, and amplify joy through large-scale interactive experiences for families.
Jen’s work is rooted in the power of human connection and purpose as catalysts for transformation.
Anne-Marie Oni
Writer
Anne-Marie Oni,is a writer and communications professional with a strong interest in education, youth development and social impact. Her connection to education is both personal and professional, having grown up around educators and developed a deep appreciation for the role education can play in shaping confidence, opportunity and lifelong wellbeing. Her experience spans higher education, where she supported students through the admissions process, as well as working with an education-focused charity in operations and administration. She is passionate about creating opportunities for children and young people to develop the knowledge, confidence and life skills they need to thrive. This is what draws her to Power of Zero’s mission and its commitment to helping young people build healthier, happier and more fulfilling futures.