Andrew Jordan Nance (Founder & Lead Trainer)

Andrew Nance is the Founder and Lead Trainer for Mindful Arts San Francisco (MASF).  Additionally, he offers trainings and assemblies around the globe for libraries, schools, and school districts to provide the principles of mindfulness to students and staff. His mindfulness training comes from Mindful Schools, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Omega and Esalen. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, for almost two decades, he was the Conservatory Director of The New Conservatory Theatre Center, providing educational theater experiences for thousands of Bay Area youth and adults.

He is the author of four Mindfulness books, the popular PUPPY MIND, & MINDFUL ARTS in the CLASSROOM, THE LION IN ME, all published by Parallax Press, as well as THE BAREFOOT KING published by Shambhala /Bala Books. Contact him at: mindfulartssf@gmail.com

Tom Laursen (Senior Coordinator for Volunteer Engagement)

Tom has spent the last 24 years in the non-profit world, with most of that time spent working directly with volunteers. He was born and raised in San Francisco and still lives in SF with his wife, Susan, and a house full of animals. He enjoys gardening and animals, and even was a long time volunteer attendant for Koko, the gorilla. He’d like to add: “I was amazed when I observed one of Andrew's Mindfulness sessions in an elementary school classroom six years ago and saw first-hand the reaction of the students. I'm proud to have been able to provide support to Andrew and Kayla since then as they've grown the program from one volunteer to over 40, serving so many schools and thousands of SF students.” Tom can be reached at Tlaursen@sfedfund.org

Celina Baldizon, Program coordinator, Fall 2023 - present.

Celina Baldizon has worked within education for the last 10 years. After graduating from the University of San Francisco with her BA in Psychology and MA in Teaching, Celina developed a passion for community engagement in her role as an elementary school tutor for the Families and Youth in Transition Program which encouraged her to become an advocate for social emotional education. Prior to her position as the Volunteer Coordinator at the San Francisco Education Fund, Celina worked to create intentional, safe, and culturally inclusive spaces in her classroom as a second-grade teacher.  Celina also enjoys scrapbooking, water coloring, and caring for her pets.  Combining her love for community building and education, she is excited to connect with volunteers and school staff to support our SFUSD schools!

SIOBHAN GEORGE (FORMER MASF PROGRAM COORDINATOR, (SUMMER 2021- SPRING 2023)

Siobhan comes to the San Francisco Education Fund’s Mindful Arts SF program with six years of work in the non- profit and education sector. She worked for five years in the public programs department a the California Academy of Sciences. There, she engaged with visitors of all ages in informal programming, such as early childhood programs, animal feeding programs, live animal handling, puppet shows, theater programs, and naturalist programs. Siobhan is committed to education and sustainability and believes that teaching youth the practice of mindfulness has the power to change the world. Siobhan holds both a B.A. and M.A. in Anthropology. She is also a registered yoga teacher (200hr) and prenatal yoga teacher. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband, hiking, bike riding, and yoga. Siobhan is extremely excited to work with MASF and the SF Ed Fund and impact the lives of San Francisco youth.

Kayla Schneider-Smith (FORMER MASF PROGRAM COORDINATOR, FALL 2019-SPRING 2021)

Kayla was MASF’s first paid Program Coordinator, growing the program exponentially from 15 volunteers to 40 in just two years. She left to complete her final year in a Masters in Writing Program at the University of San Francisco. Born and raised in Central New Jersey, she studied English Literature and Psychology at Bryn Mawr College. In college, Kayla took a comprehensive course on Eastern and Western meditative practices and traveled with her classmates to Japan to study with Buddhist monks and abbots. Kayla has several years experience recruiting and managing volunteers within the non-profit sector and most recently taught English Language and Literature to children, high school students, adults, and seniors in Rishon LeZion, Israel. 

Jen McDougall (Volunteer Emeritus)

began volunteering in 2018/19 with Mindful Arts SF, in a first and third grade classroom at Glen Park Elementary. Teachers she’s met inspire her, modeling how to build a caring learning community. And watching kids grow with mindfulness is delicious! She’s loves listening to “The Therapist Uncensored” podcast, attending silent meditation retreats, and our SF public libraries. See her reviews of children’s books that can support discussions of mindfulness at https://tinyurl.com/SFPLmindfulness.