The Team
Rina Joshi, Founder
After spending almost 20 years in the finance field, Rina founded Nest Collective as a way to bring girls of different backgrounds together to teach them the power of supporting each other and to help them build a mindset that will allow them to overcome challenges that have faced generations of women.
Working in a field with few other women, her personal experience contrasted with many of her co-workers; while she was outwardly successful, inwardly she grappled with issues including a fear of making mistakes, negative self talk, and a lack of confidence at times. In thinking through the origin of these issues, she realized that many of these issues were rooted in personal experiences and societal influences that began at a very young age.
As her career progressed, Rina’s experience with informal and formal women’s groups highlighted the strength of women supporting women. These opportunities allowed her to understand how powerful the female shared experience can be; instant connection that allows an openness and honesty to learn from each other.
Rina is a mother of two children — a 9 year old son and a 7 year old daughter. Seeing them grow has shown her how gendered early childhood can be; and she can’t help but think that girls are at times put at a disadvantage with social struggles, self doubt and difficulty expressing emotions.
Nest Collective was born out of the idea that we can build our girls up so that societal influences, adolescence and friendship challenges don’t get in the way of their ability to soar.
Dana Joy Helwick, Curriculum Advisor
Dana Joy Helwick is a visual and performance artist, educator, coordinator, improviser, and a firm believer in “all things fun all the time.” Dana holds a BA in Art from UCLA and an MA in Art Education from NYU. Over the past 10 years Dana has been a teaching artist in the Bronx, an Art and Technology teacher at a special-education K–7 school in Manhattan, and she is currently teaching art with third, fourth, and fifth graders at a large charter school in Queens. Dana believes that collaboration is a key to creativity and is committed to exploring the intersections of learning, play, liberation and social / emotional / spiritual growth
For eight years, Dana assisted in coordinating and facilitating the Art21 Educators program, a professional development initiative and learning community dedicated to using contemporary art and artists as creative role models for teaching and learning, and she continues to be an active member of the alumni community.
Dana brings a wealth of knowledge to Nest Collective, allowing us to incorporate not only engaging art projects, but also a study of contemporary artists as role models for teaching and learning. Dana is thrilled to join the Nest Collective and help create learning experiences that will empower young girls to discover their voice, take up space and celebrate their authentic selves!
Dr. Laurie Scherer, Curriculum Advisor
Laurie M. Scherer, PsyD, MA, MS, R-DMT is a licensed clinical psychologist, dance/movement therapist, community organizer and artist based in NYC. Dubbed the “Queen of Feelings,” Dr. Laurie is known for weaving together the art and science of healing using evidence-based practices, humor, compassion, and the power of community. Her unique background includes Mindfulness research and practice, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and crisis-intervention, SEL curriculum development, neuropsychological assessment, special education, the arts, yoga, community-building and mutual aid.
She holds a doctoral degree in School and Clinical Child Psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University and a Masters from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. Laurie has brought the Nest curriculum to life with her expertise in mindfulness practice and social emotional learning. She is thrilled to be bringing her knowledge and passion to the NEST program’s curriculum. There is nothing more vital than helping young minds, bodies and spirits soar in compassionate, creative and confident ways
Okie Nwakanma, Curriculum Advisor
Okie Nwakanma is an educator and psychologist-in-training who is driven by a deep belief in the value and necessity of authentic human relationships. Okie started her career in education teaching kindergarten through third grade in Harlem, NY. She has since served as a grade team leader, instructional coach, DEI training facilitator, and the Director of Programs for a literacy consulting firm.
Okie received her undergraduate degree in History of Science from Harvard University. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Currently, Okie is a second-year Master’s student in the Clinical Research Methods program at Fordham University. She investigates both emotional processing and expression in Black women and culturally responsive social-emotional learning for elementary students. She aspires to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to produce research and perform clinical work that helps people of color live happy, healthy, emotionally fulfilling lives.
Okie helped develop our curriculum on friendship and communication, with a focus on Compassionate Communication. She is excited to join the Nest Collective team because creating a beautiful life starts in childhood. She truly enjoyed designing curriculum that helps young girls develop positive relationships with themselves, others, and the world!
Talia Kovacs, Curriculum Advisor
Talia Kovacs is a mission-driven educator working to foster calm, connected households for all children. Talia runs a private firm working with families to promote joyful reading at home, closing literacy gaps for children and helping parents foster resilience and joy at home.
In addition to her work with families, Talia serves as the CEO of LitLife, an international literacy consulting firm shaping lives of purpose and joy through SEL-based literacy instruction. In this capacity, Talia has been a contributing author for many curricular materials sold to schools today, and has worked across the United States and in several countries providing social-emotional literacy coaching for teachers and school administrators. Talia began her career as a classroom teacher and grade team leader in Brooklyn, NY and Washington, D.C., where she received her Masters in Education.
Talia’s work centers on children feeling heard, engaged, and empowered, and is thrilled to share these core ideologies with the Nest program. Talia believes deeply in the Nest mission of girls’ empowerment through mindfulness and communication.
Assitan ‘Sita’ Coulibaly, Curriculum Advisor
Assitan is a Malian-American dancer, choreographer, and writer based in Providence, Rhode Island. Assi began training in West African dance with New Works/World Traditions at Brown University with whom she has performed and travelled worldwide. Much of her choreographic work is greatly inspired by her Malian heritage and is highlighted by her fusion of Coupe Decalé, Afrobeats, traditional West African, and Hip Hop dance and music styles. She has taught West African Dance at Wheaton College, the Dance Complex in Cambridge, MA.
Assitan holds her B.A. in Psychology with a double minor in Peace and Social Justice and French Studies from Wheaton College-MA (2017) and 200-hr Yoga Teacher Certification (B4C 2020). In addition to her art, she is the acting Director of Legacy Arts & Education at Centre Yeredon in Bamako, Mali and a Teaching Artist and Performer with Pushed Learning and Media, a Boston based non-profit that specializes in diversity, privilege, and racial justice education.
Most recently, Assi has been extremely excited to contribute her knowledge of movement and mindfulness practices to Nest Collective. She is excited to be part of an effort to support a demographic of young girls who will grow into stronger, more self-aware, compassionate, and exceptional young women! “Being able to contribute to that kind of learning, an education I didn’t receive until much later on in life, is an honor!”
