OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Offering the Support that Students Need
President
Dr. Holtz is an independent consultant who specializes in leadership development. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. She was a teacher and administrator in the School District of Philadelphia for 32 years, including 13 years as principal of Wilson Middle School.
Secretary
Jenèe Chizick brings a wealth of experience, compassion and energy to the board at Mariana Bracetti Academy. Jenèe has worked in publishing, marketing, and student recruitment. While working in marketing and recruitment at Temple University and St. Joseph's University she developed and promoted international experiences through study abroad and deepened representation of underserved students both locally and globally.
Treasurer
Brian is a Tax Director at PwC in Philadelphia with over 15 years of experience providing tax accounting, planning and compliance services to a diverse range of clients. Brian is a CPA licensed in Pennsylvania and is a graduate of LaSalle University, holding a masters in taxation from Villanova University School of Law.
Member
Rosalie has over twenty years of managerial experience in higher education. She earned her B.A. in Spanish and Art History from Queens College, City University of New York, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Romance Languages from the University of Pennsylvania.
Member
Ana-Rita Mayol, Ph.D., leads Pew’s biomedical programs, which include the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences, and the Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research. These initiatives provide funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health.
Before joining Pew, Mayol was administrative director of the biomedical postdoctoral programs and founding associate director of the Master of Chemical Sciences program at the University of Pennsylvania. She has extensive experience in dev eloping and implementing research training programs at different educational levels, including early-career scientists. Previously, she led federally funded innovative education and training programs for underserved communities. As a faculty member at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, she conducted research in science education, nanoscience education, and evaluation and assessment.
Mayol holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and master’s and doctoral degrees in organometallic chemistry from Cornell University. She completed postdoctoral training at the Cornell University Department of Food Science and the Consorzio Ricerca Filiera Lattiero Casearia (CorFiLaC), in Sicily, Italy.
Member
Leah Murphy is a certified professional career coach, sought after speaker and author located in Philadelphia, PA. Leah is the President of Career Gems for the Journey, a boutique consultancy focused on helping professionals build thriving careers through strategy and results. She has spent 15 years in Fortune 500 companies honing her skills as a thought leader and coach while molding the careers of people in academia, nonprofit leadership and corporate America. She believes that intentional actions that invest in people first and process second will lead to exceptional outcomes. Leah is a natural connector who applies a combination of logic, empathy and passion to each cultivated coaching experience.
Vice President
Dr. Santiago has served as an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering in the Moore School at the University of Pennsylvania since 1985, with a secondary appointment in the Graduate School of Education since 2008. His C.V. includes over 88 publications and two patents in the areas of synthesis, processing and characterization of materials for optical and electronic applications, sensing and actuating devices.
Chante Smith-Roberson is a dedicated Senior Executive Director of Human Resources with a passion for helping individuals unlock their full potential and live out their purpose. With 29 years of leadership experience in health and human services, her journey began as a direct care worker supporting children with behavioral health challenges. Her career path has encompassed roles ranging from case management to business office supervision, ultimately leading her to oversee programs serving children and adults. Beyond her professional expertise, Chante is deeply committed to maternal health. She is a certified perinatal doula, a role that brings her immense joy as she supports individuals through the transformative experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. At her core, Chante is a servant leader guided by faith and the principles of Philippians 2:3-4, valuing humility and prioritizing the well-being of others. Her greatest pride, however, lies in her family—she is a devoted wife, mother of two, and grandmother to a curious and compassionate little boy. Chante’s life exemplifies leadership with heart, a commitment to service, and a dedication to empowering others to thrive.