Stephanie Maietta Romero, executive director of Awaken Pittsburgh, has 20+ years of experience teaching all levels, from elementary students to adults. She has been a mindfulness meditation practitioner for over 15 years.  To join her mindfulness practice with her professional life, Dr. Romero spent three years researching mindfulness in education for her dissertation, which led her to create the nonprofit Awaken Pittsburgh, bringing mindfulness-based social and emotional regulation skills to youth and the adults who serve them. Dr. Romero completed YogaRoots on Location’s 200-hour anti-racism and social justice teacher training and an Examining Whiteness Facilitator Training.  She is a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Mindfulness and Consciousness Studies.