Our dedicated team is committed to bridging the gap in disability inclusion, empowering educators with tools and strategies for meaningful change.
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With diverse backgrounds in teaching, tech, advocacy, and curriculum development, we bring a wealth of experience to our programs.
Our Team
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Zeitzer Johnson is a rare disease and disabilities advocate who founded Live Joyfully Education with a mission to foster inclusivity and understanding of disabilities in classrooms around the world. Driven by her daughter Josie's diagnosis with FOXG1 syndrome, Nicole co-founded the FOXG1 Research Foundation to accelerate treatments and improve the lives of everyone affected by this condition and similar rare diseases. Nicole is also the author of the children's book "Joyfully Josie," and facilitates our student assemblies, sharing Josie's experience with students and inspiring empathy and the importance of inclusion. Nicole lives with her family in New York.
Neil Toprani
Neil, an entrepreneur and Edtech executive, nationally recognized for public sector innovation and delivering impactful digital solutions for US schools. As Founder & CEO @ TeacherVillage he leads the mission to uplift 100M educators globally. Previously, founding team at FullmindLearning (f/k/a iTutor), partner at DT Capital, and banker at Citi. Neil resides in Florida and is a proud dad of four, and uncle to Amara, who has FOXG1 syndrome.
Gina Spagnoli
Gina Spagnoli is a New York State educator in the public school system with over 17 years of experience. In her role as an educator she also facilitates professional development on Social Emotional Learning and Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Her master’s is in secondary education in both General Education and Special Education. Gina is a mom of three children.
Vas Nikolla
Vas is the Founder of CreativPixels, a digital branding agency. His unyielding passion of creative vision and technical expertise has fueled his ventures into multiple startups. Vas holds Certifications in Digital Design and Machine Learning from industry giants like Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Adobe, and Wix Velo. His portfolio boasts collaborations with numerous Fortune 500 companies. ​Currently Lives in NY with his wife and is soon to be dad!
Rachel Nicholson
Rachel has a Bachelors of Science in Human Development with a focus on Child Development from Cornell University, a Masters of Arts in Elementary Education (1-6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (1-6) from Teachers College at Columbia University, and certificates in New York State School Building Leader and School District Leader from Hunter College's School Leadership Program.
Deborah Pfeifer
Deborah is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in investment banking operations, having held leadership roles at JP Morgan, NatWest Markets, and HSBC. A passionate advocate for small businesses, she dedicates her time to mentoring startup ventures. Deborah holds a BA in Economics from NYU and an MBA from Fordham University. Outside of work, she enjoys life with her husband and their energetic elementary school twins.
Live Joyfully Education is committed to making a positive impact by donating a portion of its profits to the FOXG1 Research Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is dedicated to finding treatments for the pediatric rare genetic condition, FOXG1 syndrome, that leads to many disabilities, while also helping to accelerate rare disease drug development.
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Through this partnership, Live Joyfully Education is supporting the rare disease community through advocacy, awareness, and meaningful medical advancements.