Advisory Board
Brian is a researcher, learning designer and educational consultant. He is the Co-Founder and former Chief Program Officer of Formation Ventures, an e-learning program that supports emerging entrepreneurs of color. He is also currently a PhD candidate at the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. In all his work, he focuses on authentically collaborating with students, families and communities to create spaces that build capacity and social capital. A proud HBCU alum, Brian received his B.A in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University. He lives in Denver with his wife, Nikki.
Brian Lightfoot, Board Chair
Raised in Colorado and Texas, Natalie graduated from University of Texas in San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. She has a diverse employment background, having worked in atmospheric research, and has spent the last ten years working as a Software Quality Assurance and Test Engineer. Montessori was sort of an accident for her family, but they found it fulfilled everything they desired for their child, with respecting the child as a person at the forefront. Natalie is now a tremendous advocate for Montessori for every child and recognizes that structural change is necessary to make this happen.
Natalie Curtis, Board Treasurer
Amber Latino, Board Secretary
An Adolescent Guide with Madison Community Montessori School in Middleton, Wisconsin. Amber graduated from the University of Texas Law School and then served as a briefing attorney for both state appellate and federal district courts. In 2018, she earned certification in Adolescent education from the Houston Montessori Centre.
“The hand is the instrument of intelligence.”
Board Members at Large
Latia Henderson is an Aurora mom, community member, and Colorado native. She is the Partner of Communications and Strategic Initiatives at RootED Denver, a local education funder. With nearly 15 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience, Latia focuses on raising awareness of Denver's education ecosystem, amplifying the impact of community-based organizations and schools, and leading engagement strategies for community-driven change. She serves as the board chair for Wildflower Montessori Public Schools of Colorado and is a member of the external affairs committee for KIPP Colorado Public Schools, advocating for high-quality education and empowering children in Denver.
Latia Henderson
Laura earned her Montessori teaching certification in 2004 and since then has taught in multiple schools as a Primary Lead Teacher. However, her Montessori experience began long before that, as she was a Montessori child herself. She earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Human Development with a minor in Elementary Education in 2014. She is currently raising her daughter and working at School in The Woods Montessori in Denver. Laura is passionate about social-emotional learning, the development of the whole child, and anti-bias/antiracist education. She believes in making Montessori education accessible and inviting to all children and families.
Laura Anderman
Musawenkosi Ndoro
Musawenkosi graduated from the University of Witwatersrand School of Social Science. During her graduate school, she worked as an Assistant teacher at Wits and as a Sessional Lecturer. She has recently embarked on a journey to train as a Montessori Guide.
“Perhaps a great future leader or a great genius is with us and his power will come from the power of the child he is today. This is the vision that we must have.”