Our Staff

Rachael Kessler, Founder

Recognized by Daniel Goleman as a “leader in a new movement for emotional literacy,” Kessler has developed a framework for nurturing the inner life of students and teachers that honors the interests of educators, parents, and policy-makers. Her groundbreaking book, The Soul of Education: Helping Students find Connection, Compassion, and Character at School (ASCD 2000), was distributed to over 110,000 educators worldwide. Her work has been endorsed by educators across the spectrum of religious and political belief, progressive to conservative, fundamentalist to agnostic. Howard Gardner wrote that her “examination of the quest for meaning among today’s adolescents is both daring and needed.”

“I wish I would have had the information found in The Soul of Education during the 20 years I served in public education,” wrote Forrest L. Turpen, Executive Director of Christian Educators Association International. “ I believe Rachael Kessler has found the missing links to educational reform. Public education does have a soul.”

Rachael presents, facilitates, and conducts professional and curriculum development for educators both nationally and internationally. Whether addressing administrators in Beijing or San Bernardino, coaching teachers and leading transition groups for students in Boulder, or working with political or civic leaders including the U.S. Congress, Rachael fosters the safety and skills that invite people to communicate from their depths and nurture meaningful connections.

Kessler worked throughout the 1990’s to create a framework and a language that could allow educators to welcome and nurture students’ quest for meaning, connection and integrity, building character and excellence in ways that foster compassion for themselves and for the people and world around them. Responding to a hunger in educators and parents for a genuine transformation of teaching and learning, Kessler and her colleagues founded the Boulder-based PassageWorks Institute in 2001.

Mark Wilding, Executive Director

  Mark Wilding is the new Executive Director of PassageWorks Institute. Mark is the former Director of the Marpa Center for Business and Economics at Naropa University where he taught graduate courses in leadership and systems thinking.  Mr. Wilding joined Naropa in 1994, and previous to founding the Marpa Center, his roles at the university included Director of Advancement, Administrative Director of Environmental Studies and Human Resources and Systems Officer. Mark helped found a public computer software company in 1985 and served on the board and in several roles until he left as President in 1993. In 1977 Mark served as Assistant to the Mayor of Utica, N.Y. He has a B.S. in Biology and an M.A. in Environmental Leadership. Mark serves as Vice President of the board of CORE Colorado’s Education Fund for Corporate Social Responsibility.    

Laura Weaver, Director of Programs

Laura Weaver has worked for fifteen years in the fields of education and social service, joining the PassageWorks Institute in 2003. As the PWI Director of Programs, Laura serves as a lead faculty member and trainer, acts as a facilitator in the classroom, consults with teachers implementing the PassageWorks model, writes and refines curriculum, and collaborates on program and organizational development.  Before joining PassageWorks, Laura taught college English for four years and co-founded and directed Bridges: an all-volunteer agency serving the needs of hungry and homeless people in the greater Philadelphia region.  A published poet and writer, Laura holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Elizabeth Amore, Operations Manager

  Liz Amore serves as the Operations Manager for PassageWorks.  In this role, Liz coordinates trainings and events, manages the website, and serves as bookkeeper for PassageWorks.  New to the field of education, Liz  worked for seven years for a construction-based business as office manager.  She also served on the board of The Community Associations Institute in Sarasota, Florida for several years where she chaired committees and organized large-scale fundraising events.  Liz attended Univeristy of Florida in Gainesville.