Shira Woolf Cohen
CO-FOUNDER
Shira Woolf Cohen is an educator, community organizer, entrepreneur, and leader who has been recognized locally and nationally for her work. She is an alumna of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and the author of Leading Future-Focused Schools: Engaging and Preparing Students for Career Success.
Shira spent 19 years at a Philadelphia charter school, where she co-led the growth of the school from a K–8 school serving approximately 450 students to a K–12 school serving 1,500 students. During her tenure, she served as a teacher, dean, vice principal, and principal. She has also served as an adjunct instructor at multiple universities and as a board member and chair for several local and national nonprofit organizations.
Today, Shira supervises aspiring teachers and leaders during their practicum experiences at the University of Phoenix. She is also a facilitator for the National Youth Leadership Council’s Instructional Leadership in Service-Learning Certificate Program. She is a recipient of the G. Bernard Gill Award in Service-Learning Urban Leadership and a Cohort 3 Senior Neubauer Fellow in Educational Leadership.
Shira holds a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education and Mathematics from Lesley University and a Master of Education in Urban Education and Principal Certification from Temple University. She also completed the National Institute for School Leaders preparation program.
At Innovageous, Shira’s work centers on partnerships, programs, and instruction across school-based and out-of-school-time settings. She brings nearly three decades of experience in education and youth workforce development to her work with schools, organizations, and communities. Opening opportunities is one of Shira’s core values and provides a daily focus for her work to design and implement innovative, courageous solutions that expand possibilities for young people and the adults who support them.
"Shira met us where we were as educators and tailored our learning experience so that it was relevant and meaningful to each person in the room, ensuring an experience that continues to serve us long after the PD formally concluded.”
Joanna Hightower
CO-FOUNDER
Joanna Hightower is an experienced bilingual educator and execution leader who has spent more than 20 years serving Black and Brown students and communities in Philadelphia. The School District of Philadelphia recognized Joanna as a Peer Leader in K–8 Schools and during her tenure as a school leader, her school ranked among the top 10 K–8 charter schools in the city. She was among a select group of charter school leaders to receive a charter renewal without conditions and was granted an expansion of additional seats. To meet the needs of a growing school community, Joanna led the acquisition, design, approvals, and construction of a $20M+, 48,000-square-foot school facility that now serves more than 600 children on Cecil B. Moore Avenue.
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As Co-Founder and Partner at Innovageous, Joanna partners with school boards, CEOs and superintendents, principals, and organizational leaders to strengthen their capacity to lead high-performing organizations. Her work focuses on building sustainable operational systems and infrastructure, strengthening culturally responsive academic programming, designing and implementing impactful Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), facilitating meaningful professional learning and leadership coaching, and cultivating strong partnerships with families and communities. She provides supportive and strategic thought partnership to leaders who are ready to be Innovageous and make a meaningful difference.
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Joanna is a true champion for historically underserved children and communities. Her experience grounds her belief in what truly drives schools forward: strong leadership, intentional systems, high expectations, and an unwavering commitment to positive outcomes for students, families and the educators who serve them.
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Joanna holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Temple University and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education through the Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program for Educational Leaders (IDEPEL) at Saint Joseph’s University.
“Mrs. Hightower’s dedication and leadership skills are two of many characteristics that stand out everyday. There is no task too big or too small that she cannot handle with confidence."
Alicia Woolf
CO-FOUNDER
Alicia Woolf is a Special Education Leader and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who works with schools and organizations to create learning and workplace experiences where people feel supported, included, and equipped to be successful. With more than 18 years of experience in special education, school and district leadership, professional learning, coaching, and organizational behavior, Alicia brings both a systems-level perspective and a deep understanding of the day-to-day realities educators and leaders navigate.
Alicia currently serves as a BCBA Supervisor at Johns Hopkins University, where she supports the development of future behavior analysts and helps connect behavioral science to meaningful practice in educational and corporate settings. She is also an instructor in the University of Maryland College of Education, preparing future educators and leaders. Across her work, Alicia is passionate about translating research into practical strategies that educators, leaders, and organizations can use to create more inclusive and effective learning environments.
A graduate of the Special Education Leadership Fellowship at Kennedy Krieger Institute, Alicia has worked across schools, districts, nonprofits, and universities to build educator capacity and strengthen systems of support for diverse learners. Her work draws from special education, neuroscience, law, behavioral science, and adult learning, with a particular focus on multi-tiered systems of support, inclusive practices, compassionate behavior support, and the conditions that help both students and adults thrive.
Alicia's professional and personal vision is grounded in inclusion and authenticity. She believes everyone deserves the support they need to learn, grow, contribute, and feel a sense of belonging. At Innovageous, she brings together her experience in special education, applied behavioral science, adult learning, and organizational leadership to help schools and organizations move from good intentions to practical, sustainable action. Her areas of focus include special education programming and compliance, inclusive systems design, compassionate behavior support and BCBA supervision, special education teacher and leader coaching, and employee performance management.
Alicia holds a B.S. and M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Maryland College Park and completed post-graduate training in Applied Behavior Analysis at Johns Hopkins University. She is certified in special education, secondary mathematics, and elementary education and earned her certificate in school administration through the Center for Innovation and Leadership in Special Education Fellowship at Kennedy Krieger Institute in 2014.
“Alicia’s support provided me with the ability to balance the need for strong instructional practices, fair and equitable behavior management, and connections with learners through meaningful student relationships."
Tiffany Searles
LEAD PARTNER OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Tiffany is an AmeriCorps alumnus who has worked with schools and nonprofits for over 15 years. Her areas of focus include building school & community partnerships, program development & evaluation, high quality service-learning, career & postsecondary readiness, alumni engagement, strategic planning, board service & leadership, school communications, grant writing, project & volunteer management and event planning. She earned her Bachelor's in Sociology from Lehigh University and her Master's in Urban Education from Temple University. In her down time, Tiffany likes to experience new cultures, places and people through travel and slowing down through yoga, as she is also a RYT-200 certified Yoga Instructor.
Brittany Johnson
CONSULTING PARTNER
Brittany Johnson is the Founder and CEO of SoLoveSoul, LLC., which fosters community to empower black and brown women across the country. Her business has expanded to SOULpreneur Business Consulting, which provides entrepreneurs a variety of services so that they thrive in their passions and manifest their goals. Brittany was a proud educator in the city of Philadelphia for over a decade, both teaching and leading middle and high schools. Her consulting partnership with Innovageous continues to drive her passion for education and students. When she is not busy running her business and supporting schools, Brittany enjoys time with her puppy and writing poetry. She is a published poet of Loving Eve, which is a collection focused on healing and self-love.
Cary Porter
VISUAL &
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Cary Porter is a creative based in Philadelphia. Her areas of focus include graphic design, branding, UI/UX design, illustration, photography, and videography. In 2020, she started her own freelance business, Cary Elizabeth Designs, providing quality materials to both individuals and businesses to help them reach their own goals, whether that be a set of wireframes to enhance website engagement or a brand guideline to create identity. She earned her Bachelor's of Art in Advertising degree at Klien College of Media and Communications, art minor from Tyler School of Art, and Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Fox School of Business. Outside of work, she enjoys creating music, going for hikes, discovering new food, and traveling.
