Meet Our Collaborative Leadership Team

Dr. Zanette Joseph McClain is an accomplished educator, researcher, and social entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Educators With Passports Inc., a nonprofit organization that empowers underserved youth (ages 10–18) in New York City by providing fully supported international travel experiences during school breaks to destinations like Dubai, Thailand, and the Caribbean. 

In her role as Dean of Student & Family Engagement, Zanette leads efforts to strengthen relationships with families, mentors student well-being, and designs immersive learning opportunities that deepen students’ global and personal perspectives. Her leadership is recognized for promoting family partnership, and student empowerment.

Patrycja Szymczak, LPC, LMHC, NCC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the founder of a private counseling practice in New York City, where she specializes in adolescent and family mental health. With expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive counseling, she brings valuable insight into the emotional and psychological needs of students.

As Mental Health and Wellness Advisor to Level Up Scholars Academy, Patrycja offers strategic guidance on school-wide wellness initiatives, student support systems, and mental health best practices. Her work informs the school’s approach to fostering emotional well-being in a diverse learning environment.

Brian Rashad Fuller is an experienced education strategist and organizational leader with a background in school design, leadership development, and systems-level planning. He holds a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and has led major initiatives for public and private institutions, including the NYC Department of Education and The New School.

As Chief Strategy Officer at Level Up Scholars Academy, Brian guides strategic planning, operations, and partnerships, helping to align vision with sustainable growth. He is also the author of Being Black in America’s Schools (2024), a nationally recognized book on equity and reform in K–12 education.

Walk & Associates Consulting is a nationally respected strategic management and executive search firm with over 30 years of experience supporting mission-driven organizations. They specialize in talent recruitment, organizational design, and strategic planning with a focus on long-term sustainability and clarity of vision.

As Strategic Advisor to Level Up Scholars Academy, Walk & Associates provides targeted support in leadership development, team recruitment, and growth strategy. Their approach is action-driven and results-oriented, helping organizations align people, plans, and processes to achieve measurable impact and lasting success.