Our Team

Nathan Biggs has been working in the non-profit world for over 4 years now and has loved every minute. Specializing in creative Marketing and Media, Nathan knows how important being creative is and the impact it can bring to our everyday lives which is why he has enjoyed his time with Curiosity 2 Create immensely and is excited to help it reach new heights.

​Born in Naperville Illinois, Nathan has always had an interest in the arts and is happy to bring these elements alive through Curiosity 2 Creatr whether it is marketing purposes or working with the students, he enjoys every moment in which he can use his creativity. Nathan thanks you for supporting Curiosity 2 Create and the many students who have benefited from it.

Jason Silva is a Creative Content Creator and Researcher at Curiosity 2 Create, where he focuses on furthering creativity and curiosity-based education in the classroom. His profound enthusiasm for fostering mental well-being can be seen in his pursuit of a degree from Boston University, majoring in psychology and minoring in education. This educational background has equipped him with a nuanced perspective on the interplay between mental health and learning environments, which he eagerly explores in his professional endeavors for Curiosity 2 Create.

Away from work, Jason is an avid reader and rock climber. Fueled by coffee, Jason can often be found reading in between climbing sessions, favoring non-fiction literature on education, psychology, and history. 

Jason’s relentlessly positive outlook is the cornerstone of his approach to life and work. No challenge is too daunting, no mountain too high—whether in his rock climbing adventures or in his pursuit to make a tangible impact in the mental health community. With a spirit imbued with optimism and a mind sharpened by rigorous academic and professional experiences, Jason Silva is a burgeoning force in the intersection of creative content development, research, and mental health advocacy. His journey symbolizes a blend of intellectual rigor, creative zest, and an unwavering dedication to aiding others in navigating the intricacies of mental health.

Michele Fairchild Marko is a nonprofit community leader and former healthcare executive with more than 40 years of experience in food and nutrition services, healthcare administration, and organizational redesign. Her distinguished career includes leadership roles at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC), Aurora Healthcare, and Compass Group. In these positions, she oversaw multi-million-dollar operations across the Midwest and led major cost-reduction initiatives that saved millions while strengthening patient outcomes and service quality.

Michele has also held academic faculty appointments at Yale University Schools of Public Health, Medicine, and Nursing; NYU Schools of Education and Dentistry; Cornell Medical; and Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons.

A dedicated volunteer leader, she has provided advisory and board service to numerous federal and national organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Yale University School of Medicine’s Women’s Health Initiative, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the University of New Haven. She played a key role in developing community health and arts initiatives such as The Children’s Health Market and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. She also partnered with the Jewish Federation of Milwaukee to establish a Kosher Mobile Meal Program serving older adults.

Michele served as WABC-TV/NYC’s nutrition spokesperson and wrote for Condé Nast publications including Self and Glamour. She has authored numerous juried professional publications and remains committed to advancing professional practice and leadership development. Her service includes extensive elected and appointed roles within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A Charter Fellow of the Academy, she has received the Medallion Award, the ADAF Award for Excellence in Management Practice, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from SUNY Buffalo State University.

Today, Michele applies her expertise to nonprofit leadership, education, and community partnerships, helping translate complex challenges into actionable strategies. She currently serves as Chairwoman of the Curiosity 2 Create Foundation, serves on the Driskill Foundation Board, co-chaired the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Roundtable, is President of her HOA, and mentors entrepreneurs through SCORE.

Michele lives in the Chicago suburbs and enjoys golfing, bowling, culinary exploration, and travel with her husband.

Noelani has been active in many cultural communities for over 20 years. She and the Love of her Life, Albert Hernandez Jr, live with their blended families, her daughter, and her three bonus children in San Jose, CA.

Noelani was the first Filipina America elected to the Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Education (Alviso, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale). She served as the board’s first woman of color President. Noelani Pearl Hunt has over two decades of nonprofit and political campaign management experience. Her work in development, public relations, board management, nonprofit/ campaign strategy, civil rights, social justice, and diversity/ inclusion give her a broad lens view to help her clients’ organizations succeed.

John is a Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York and Buffalo State University’s Center for Applied Imagination. Additionally, he serves as a Visiting Professor at two universities in Colombia. He previously held the role of Program Director for his university’s Service-Learning and Civic Engagement program in Myanmar. In collaboration with his efforts, he co-founded a nonprofit organization to support Myanmar’s education reform and assist teachers who are in hiding due to their involvement in the civil disobedience movement. His commitment extends to working with Myanmar’s shadow Ministry of Education to facilitate transformative changes in the country’s education system.

Having earned the prestigious title of Fulbright Scholar, John fulfilled his Fulbright assignment at the Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga (UNAB) in Colombia. His influence was pivotal in reshaping UNAB’s organizational culture, making the university the first creative campus in Latin America. This transformation led to UNAB’s rapid ascent to the rank of the most innovative university in Colombia within a span of fewer than two years. In recognition of his excellence in teaching, he was honored with the State University of New York and Buffalo State University President’s Awards.

John’s expertise extends to his role as a Capacity Developer at Knowinnovation, a consulting firm dedicated to fostering engaging interdisciplinary discussions among scientists, thereby fostering groundbreaking research and innovation. Noteworthy organizations that have benefited from his adeptness in training and organizational development include IBM, the British Home Office, the National Science Foundation, NASA, Harvard University’s Department of Evolutionary Biology, the National Oceanographic Laboratory System, the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar, the United States Department of Agriculture, Georgia Tech, and the University of Michigan’s Department of Biosciences.

John’s academic journey includes earning a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Manchester, England, and obtaining an M.S. in Creativity and Change Leadership from the State University of New York. His academic contributions are underscored by co-authored articles published in esteemed business, engineering, and innovation journals. In 2017, he co-authored a book titled ” Organizational Creativity: A Practical Guide for Innovators and Entrepreneurs,” which is a testament to his scholarly accomplishments.

Kim Petrasek is a lifelong advocate for student success, Kim’s career spans roles as a special education teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. Recognized as a 2022 IASA Superintendent of Distinction, she has dedicated her career to fostering inclusive, innovative learning environments.

Kim holds degrees from Western Michigan University (B.S. in Regular and Special Education), Michigan State University (M.A. in K-12 Reading), and Northern Illinois University (M.A. in Educational Leadership & Superintendent Endorsement). In addition to her extensive leadership experience, she continues to serve on various boards, mentor new superintendents, and champion initiatives that empower educators and students alike.

As a board member of Curiosity 2 Create, Kim is passionate about reimagining education to ignite curiosity, creativity, and deeper thinking in students and schools.

Madison is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a deep commitment to mental health advocacy and education. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and began her career working with the homeless population, where she gained extensive experience addressing complex mental health diagnoses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and various mood and personality disorders.​

Currently, she operates at a private practice, providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy to adolescents and adults. Her work focuses on anxiety, depression, postpartum and perinatal concerns, grief, self-esteem issues, and reproductive trauma. In addition to her clinical work, Madison is passionate about equipping educators and students with the tools to foster emotional well-being, resilience, and early intervention strategies within school settings.

Outside of her professional life, Madison lives in Oswego, IL, with her husband, their daughter, and two beloved dogs. She finds joy in staying active, working out, and getting lost in a good book.