The Rev Dr Leonisa Ardizzone has been a science and peace educator for more than 30 years. She has spent most of her life working in education in various capacities but always driven by the same vision: to create a more just and equitable world. She has been a middle and high school teacher, a museum and environmental educator, a university professor, a non-profit executive, an entrepreneur/small business owner, an instructional coach, and an education consultant. Having taught every grade preK through graduate-level, Rev Leonisa, also known as Dr. A, has created curricula for schools, after-school programs, and museums, including a Climate Change Program for the City of New York (NYC Department of Design and Construction). She has presented her work all over the world, has published numerous articles in peer-edited journals and written two books: “Gettin My Word Out” (SUNY Press) and “Science, Not Just for Scientists” (Gryphon House Press). 

She holds a BA in Biology (Ithaca College), an EdM in science education (Western Washington University), a Ph.D. in International Educational Development with a concentration in Peace Education from Columbia University, and an MDiv with a focus on Inter-religious Engagement from Union Theological Seminary. Rev Leonisa has a permanent teaching certificate in New York State (biology, general science). Currently, Leonisa is a Visiting Professor at Vassar College in the Education department. She is the founder and co-director of the Peace Education Center of the Hudson Valley. Rev Leonisa is also the Co-Chair of the Broader Social Impacts Committee for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History’s Hall of Human Origins and a Commissioner on the Ulster County Human Rights Commission.

An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, Rev Leonisa is a community minister in Ulster County, NY, a member of the Kingston Interfaith Council, and a core organizer with GreenFaith. Rev Leonisa is also Certified OWL (Our Whole Lives) Educator, a trained Movement Chaplain, and a member of the Zen Peacemakers Order. In addition, Rev Leonisa is an accomplished musician (having released three albums), an actor playing the titular role of “Nona” in “Nona’s Supper Club” (off-broadway musical), and a mom to a recent college graduate.