​Michel Spruance, Co-Founder and Board Chair

​As a past classroom-teacher, Michel (MEd, ERYS-500), her passion for seeing students and teachers thrive to the organization. When Michel left teaching in 2007, her dream was to bring the practices of mindfulness and yoga to other educators, as she knew the difference these tools were making in her life and in her own classroom. As a yoga teacher and the owner of Be Luminous Yoga, Michel has been teaching people to breath and move since 2003. She has also trained yoga teachers since 2011 in a variety of capacities.

​Praveena Vadrevu, Board Treasurer

​As the Treasurer for Space Between, Praveena (Veena) Vadrevu wants to use her finance skills into guiding the strategic direction of Space Between, setting the tone for future fiscal responsibility and education endeavors of the NGO.

​A first generation descendent of the Indian Immigrants parents, Veena wants to establish sustainable structure, growth and learning lifestyle for minorities in the education system. She is a yoga practitioner and is committed to kids learning in more than just an academic setting.

​She works as the Controller for the Seattle Symphony and works on the organization’s vision framework designed to unleash and lift the human spirit through the power of music. She has over 12 years of experience working in financial departments of the nonprofit sector.

​Veena holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Accounting and Political Science from the University System of Georgia. She has supported various nonprofit organizations as a volunteer, donor, leader, mentee and mentor. Some of these organizations are Raksha for Women, Hindu Temple of Atlanta Spiritual Journey, Atlanta Yoga Project, Kirkland Arts Center, Friends of Youth, Farestart, Farms of Life etc.

​Sara Kelly, Board Secretary

​Sara Kelly credits her yoga and meditation practice as a major element of balance in her life. She wears many hats - educator to her 2 sons, catering server, real estate investor and student of the world. She strongly believes that the work of Space Between with children and educators will make our world a calmer and kinder place, one person at a time.

​Eva Yopes McMullen

​Eva McMullen’s past work in education has spurred her to be an advocate for children in the public education system, especially those who are often most marginalized. For Eva, investing in social-emotional learning young is critical to success across all aspects of life. To the Space Between board, she brings a decade-long career in fundraising and development at a variety of organizations, ranging from higher education at her alma mater, Johns Hopkins University, to small nonprofits like Playworks Colorado. Currently, Eva is a search consultant and the Business Operations Manager for a local non-profit search firm, Clover Search Works. Outside of work and volunteering, Eva chases after her two preschoolers, tries to go on as many ‘adventure walks’ as possible, and hones her own yoga and meditation practice whenever she’s able.

​Maya Nader

​Finding peace within has been a lifelong passion for Maya Nader after having grown up in Beirut and leaving at the height of the Lebanese War. Driven by this passion, Maya practices and teaches compassion to help people bridge the gap between cultures and perspectives to foster better workspaces, relationships, and a more peaceful world. Maya is a certified yoga teacher and Compassion Cultivation Trainer by Stanford University’s Medical School. She is working to become an accredited Yoga Therapist.

​Rebecca Norwood

​Rebecca Norwood is the owner of Sprout, a play-based preschool dedicated to diversity and social and emotional learning. She has a background in fine art and holds Master’s in Teaching from the University of Washington. Rebecca has 17+ years professional experience in education and taught at Giddens, a school centered around teaching the whole child. She also served on their board of trustees. Rebecca is passionate about creating spaces where children can thrive. She lives with her family in Columbia City and spends her free time boxing and dancing.

​Alyssa Pizarro

​After leaving a 10-year fashion career in New York and moving to Seattle, Alyssa was finally able to pursue her passion for yoga and service in the nonprofit world.

​Alyssa is a 200-hr yoga certified instructor from the Nairobi based nonprofit organization, Africa Yoga Project. With yoga still a big part of her life, she is an instructor with the UW Mindfulness Program and at Yoga Tree, in Seattle. Alyssa has served as a volunteer in many spaces, PSKS a youth homeless shelter in Capitol Hill, Full Life Care in Rainier Valley, and the Stability Network in northern Seattle. In her career, Alyssa was formerly part of the Development team for Yoga Behind Bars, and a facilitator with Space Between, and is currently the Corporate Giving Officer at Business Impact NW. Alyssa has lived in Seattle for 7 years, and calls Ballard home with her partner and 10year-old pupper, Leila.

Jill Sheldon​

​Founder of Open Road Coaching and Consulting, Jill Sheldon coaches and consults with mission-driven leaders to develop and deepen their leadership skills and organizational capacity. Previously, she was the assistant director of the Center for Environmental Law & Policy and the manager of Seattle Senior Services homesharing program and a board member for the Pride Foundation. She has a master’s degree from the Leadership Institute of Seattle at Bastyr University and is a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow. She is also a volunteer facilitator for Leadership Eastside.