Our Students | Organization and Leadership | Teachers College, Columbia University

A Graduate School of Education, Health & Psychology

Meet Our Doctoral Students

Chalisa Kaewla

Ed.D. Student, Adult Learning and Leadership

Doctoral candidate in Adult Learning and Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Co-President of the Doctoral Student Association. My primary research explores how cultural influences shape individual change, adult development, and transformative learning, with a special focus on Designing Your Life (DYL) methodologies. I have expertise in leadership, creative learning workshops, and qualitative research, as well as supporting courses in action learning and advanced adult learning theory as a graduate assistant. An art enthusiast, I enjoy pottery, printmaking, and photography, which complement my global perspective and foster creativity and adaptability in my studies and work with students.

Organization & Leadership

YooNa Kim (She/Her/Hers)

Ed.D. Student, Adult Ed Guided Intensive Study (AEGIS)

YooNa Kim is an international educator and mental health advocate with over 15 years of experience across Korea, China, Kenya, India, Canada, and the US. As Director of Wellbeing at citiesRISE,Bransksome Hall Asia, she estabilished team development, implements school-based programs, and conducts research on human flourishing. YooNa’s career spans schools, NGOs, research institutes, and digital mental health startups, where she bridges research and practice to create healthier, more resilient communities and organizations. Her research explores the intersection of mental health and education, emphasizing mental health as a continuum, culturally sensitive practices, and culture building. Previously, as a co founding member of Bransksome Hall Asia, she estabilished holistic wellbeing curriculum, and has worked with Manhattan Hunter High School, the International Rescue Committee, and Columbia University's Global Mental Health Lab.

Organization & Leadership

Katrina Monton

Ph.D. Student, Social-Organizational Psychology

Katrina is currently a doctoral candidate in the Social-Organizational Psychology program at Columbia University. As a PhD candidate, Katrina conducts mixed-method research focusing on the impact of organizational culture in high-performance environments. She often works at the intersection of organizational psychology and sport, but has worked within the medical and military fields as well. Her research has been presented nationally and internationally, including at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, she was a professional athlete on the Canadian Women’s National Water Polo team, assisting Canada in reaching the podium at six major international events, including World Championships, Pan American Games, Commonwealth Games and World League. Following her retirement from team Canada, she completed a MA in Counselling Psychology at McGill University and worked as a clinical counsellor in her hometown, Montreal, Canada.

Organization & Leadership

Prachi Pathak

Ph.D. Student, Social-Organizational Psychology

PhD Student in Social-Organizational Psychology, Department of Organization and Leadership. Research Fellow at Nike, Inc.

Research Areas: Motivation, Decision Science, Cross-Cultural Psychology

Organization & Leadership

Loretta Pearce

Ed.D. Student, Adult Learning and Leadership

My dissertation research focuses on transformative learning theory, black feminism, womanism and joy.

Most recently I was the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO) at a global law firm in mid-town NY.

Prior to the CDEIO role I was at Meta (formerly Facebook) where I was the DE&I Global Talent Management Programs Leader. At Meta, I established and supported programming that advanced the careers of underrepresented employees and embedded DE&I in the culture.

I began my career in academia and subsequently moved on to leadership roles in learning and development. My thought leadership in the DE&I space became a formal part of my role at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in Virginia.

In a career that spans over 30 years, I has always been a passionate advocate for people and believe that all should have the opportunity to work in spaces where they can flourish and therefore offer their best gifts.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretta-lisa-dowdy-pearce/

Organization & Leadership First-Generation College Student

Nady Persons (She/They)

Ed.D. Student, Adult Ed Guided Intensive Study (AEGIS)

Nady Persons (they/she) is an executive coach, designer, and facilitator of adult learning experiences. They focus on empowering individuals and organizations to embrace inclusivity and liberatory practices through engaging learning experiences and leadership development. Their research focus is centered on the nexus between critical theory and transformative learning and how to create lasting, inclusive change in our complex workplace environments.

Organization & Leadership First-Generation College Student

Marcus Regueira (He/Him/His)

Ed.D. Student, Adult Learning and Leadership

Marcus is a former investment banker, venture capitalist, mentor, and board member with extensive experience in healthcare, education, and integrative wellness. He coaches [self] leadership for individuals and organizations, emphasizing self-care as foundational for efficacy and productivity. His work spans mentoring entrepreneurs, advising institutions, and supporting medical organizations in aligning purpose with measurable health outcomes.
Marcus researches adult learning in high-stress environments and the role of Hybrid Intelligence—the synergy between human and artificial intelligence—in transformational learning. His work includes reflective practices and peer-to-peer coaching to enhance resilience, engagement, and well-being. His research includes self-determination theory, cultural intelligence, power dynamics, and the agency of leaders and professionals—examining how autonomy and collaboration drive sustainable systemic change.

Organization & Leadership

Eduardo Santander (He/Him/His)

Ph.D. Student, Higher and Postsecondary Education

Eduardo Santander-Ramirez is a PhD student in Higher and Postsecondary Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. His research focuses on higher education organizations, college student success, and the sociology of higher education, with a particular interest in first-year college experiences and quantitative policy analysis. Eduardo currently serves as an Editorial Assistant for Teachers College Record. Eduardo's prospective PhD dissertation examines first-year college student success at a regional flagship Chilean university, focusing on academic progression and retention. By analyzing data from over 13,000 students, the study investigates factors influencing first year's credit completion and retention rates. Eduardo's research is enriched by his teaching experience in Chile, where he served as a Lecturer Professor at multiple universities. He taught courses in statistics, social survey methods, and quantitative methodology.

Organization & Leadership

Jackie Schneider (She/Her/Hers)

Ed.D. Student, Adult Ed Guided Intensive Study (AEGIS)

Jackie is an executive and systemic team coach, international business executive, and change agent. She helps CEOs and senior executives become more effective leaders and to achieve business results. Her focus as a coach is on managing transitions (e.g. new leadership, reorganizations, changes in strategic direction, evolving market conditions).

Jackie’s current work provides her with the opportunity to engage with very diverse and different types of organizations (for-profit, nonprofit, HC, Tech, NGO, govt). The environments are fast paced and results oriented (even those driven by a mission). Many teams are operating in distinct silos. Given the complexity of the systems Jackie works in, her research interests are related to power in organizations, how it manifests and how it is resisted. She is interested to explore how organizations navigate these complex tensions and ensure that their efforts towards autonomy and empowerment remain inclusive and collaborative.

Organization & Leadership

Ying Tong (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Higher and Postsecondary Education

Dissertation Advisor: Anna Neumann

My research interests involve the intellectual growth and professional development of international faculty and doctoral students in the U.S. I am particularly fascinated by exploring how these early-career scholars (and doctoral students), who come from different countries, experience the process of being socialized into their disciplinary and institutional communities in U.S universities. As an international student from China, I also have a keen interest in investigating the preparation of doctoral students for being future faculty in Chinese universities. My ultimate aim is to contribute to the development of evidence-based policies and practices for promoting effective teaching and professional development of future faculty in higher education institutions, especially so in China. Through my career, I hope to make a positive impact on the quality of higher education with attention to the intellectual and professional growth of both students and faculty.

Organization & Leadership First-Generation College Student

Natanya Trazenfeld (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Social-Organizational Psychology

Natanya is a doctoral student in Social-Organizational Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research interests sit at the intersection of leadership and social identity, and include leader identity management and leadership team effectiveness. She brings extensive experience in leadership advisory and organizational development consulting to her role as a researcher, in addition to previous experience in HR and as a chief of staff at a growth-stage startup. Through her research and practice, Natanya aspires to make work work better people, organizations, and society.

Organization & Leadership

Zoe Troxell Whitman (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Social-Organizational Psychology

Currently pursuing her doctorate in social-organizational psychology, Zoë’s research delves into employee well-being, disclosure, inclusive leadership, and the application of universal design at the organizational level. Along with her academic pursuits, she has held a faculty position teaching human resource management in the Masters of Organizational Psychology program, and regularly provides workshops and lectures around Disability’s untapped potential. She also actively mentors graduate students supporting their academic and professional development. Zoë’s distinctive perspective shapes her approach to academia and the workplace, fostering an environment that encourages openness, disclosure, and meaningful engagement.

Organization & Leadership

Lisa Watanabe

Ed.D. Student, Adult Ed Guided Intensive Study (AEGIS)

As the founder of Watanabe & Associates and an adult developmental psychologist, Lisa Watanabe provides coaching and consultation to leaders and organizations across the public and private sectors in diverse cultural contexts. Her approach integrates frameworks from adult developmental psychology, adaptive leadership, group dynamics, and other adult learning theories. An award-winning researcher, Certified Immunity-to-Change™ Coach, and Certified Reliable Subject-Object Interview Scorer, Lisa has also taught leadership to undergraduates in Japan. Previously, she worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, contributing to a STEM education program that employed active learning methods.
Her research interests center on adult development, transformative learning, mentoring, learning organizations, and organizational and leadership development.

Organization & Leadership Student-Parent

Tamsen Webster (She/Her/Hers)

Ed.D. Student, Adult Ed Guided Intensive Study (AEGIS)

Change communications expert and founder of the Message Design Institute, Tamsen Webster investigates how leaders can accelerate understanding and adoption of new ideas, focusing on structured deductive arguments' role in adult learning and perspective transformation. Her 25+ years developing persuasive message frameworks spans museums, cultural nonprofits, higher education (including Harvard Medical School), corporations (Verizon, State Street's Center for Applied Research, Klaviyo), and impact-focused startups through Elemental Impact. A professional advisor at MIT's Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship and judge/mentor at Harvard Innovation Labs, she was named to the Thinkers50 Radar (2022) and is the author of 'Find Your Red Thread' (2021) and 'Say What They Can't Unhear' (2024). As a TEDx Idea Strategist working with research scientists and academics, she bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in organizational and societal change.

Organization & Leadership

Gian Zlupko

Ph.D. Student, Social-Organizational Psychology

Organization & Leadership

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new online profiles for Doctoral Students at Teachers College.

If you are a currently enrolled doctoral student at Teachers College, please visit the profile submission page for more information on how you can create your own profile.