ABOUT US
Established in 2013, Foundations for Leadership Inc. is a non-profit, education organization dedicated to equipping young people for success in education, career, and civic life. With Model UN as a cornerstone, we promote experiential learning that develops a collaborative approach to solving problems.
Supporting educators is core to our work. We offer professional development and classroom resources to help schools and districts build Model UN programs or professionalize existing ones. Our team has more than 30 years combined experience in program design and implementation. Thanks to generous partnerships with higher education institutions and community leaders, we provide year-round support and learning opportunities to both teachers and students.
The Team
Amy Ruggiero
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Amy is responsible for overall strategic planning and program oversight. Her business acumen has been cultivated over 20 years in both corporate and nonprofit settings. She has a wealth of experience in building and supporting Model UN programs across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Kelly Siegel-Stechler
Co-Founder and Director Emeritus
Kelly advises on educational content and program strategy. With expertise in civic engagement education, she works closely with school district partners to effectively integrate standards-based learning activities into required K-12 coursework for the Social Sciences.
Allyson M. Holley
Model UN Events Coordinator
Allyson is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing logistics for Foundations for Leadership annual conferences and events. She has over 10 years of experience running Model UN conferences and has held positions at all levels for more than 16 conferences.
Liz Rebecca Alarcón
Model UN Facilitator
Liz facilitates our teacher and volunteer workshops. Throughout high school, college and graduate school, Liz was actively involved in the Model UN circuit as a delegate, volunteer and coach. She also served as adjunct Model UN teacher at Archimedean Upper Conservatory in Miami.
Our Advisors
​Michael Chirichello EdD
International Consultant, former school superintendent and professor
Jessica Hasle (Ex-Officio)
Social Studies Staff Developer, Pinellas County Schools
Michael J. Lenaghan EdD
Mardee Jenrette Endowed Teaching Chair, Miami Dade College and the Honors College
Mary Morrison MA, EdGID
Education Specialist, Global Educator, former lead Global Classrooms London
Douglas Rivero, PhD
Academic Chair & Professor of Political Science, St. Petersburg College
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Lucia Rodriguez MA, EdD
Director, Global Masters in Development, The Earth Institute at Columbia University
Andrew Roush
Communications Specialist, Texas Computer Education Association
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OUR PARTNERS
