OUR MISSION
We empower K-12 educators to lead with emotional intelligence to create a safe, inclusive learning culture where everyone can thrive—students and teachers alike.
OUR VALUES
Truth. Integrity. Equity.
WHAT WE DO
We are a certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) dedicated to training and developing educators across all levels, with a singular mission: inspiring youth to THRIVE. Our primary objective is to equip leaders and educators with the essential tools needed to nurture the next generation of creators, change-makers, and social entrepreneurs, fostering real-world learning.
Our core focus is on practical skills that elevate Emotional Intelligence (EQ), creating a more positive and productive work environment. By delving into the unique stressors faced by program supervisors, we prepare them to confront challenges with confidence and effectiveness.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to reducing educational inequality. We empower underserved youth with an entrepreneurial mindset and equip them with 21st-century skills crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. Together, we bridge the gap and shape a future where all students have the opportunity to thrive.
DR. SONIA M. TOLEDO, PRESIDENT & CEO
Founder | Social Entrepreneur | Speaker | Advocate for Emotional Intelligence and Youth Empowerment
Dr. Sonia M. Toledo is a visionary leader and influential voice in the field of youth development, emotional intelligence, and adult learning. With more than 25 years of hands-on experience across organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Children’s Aid, and Child Care Inc., she has dedicated her life to solving one core problem: too many children are growing up in environments where their emotional well-being is overlooked.
In 2008, Sonia founded Dignity of Children® to tackle this issue at its roots by training the adults who influence children's lives every day. Her groundbreaking model focuses on empowering educators, program leaders, and parents to create emotionally safe spaces where young people can thrive, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. She believes that when adults learn to lead with emotional intelligence, children gain the dignity, validation, and support they need to reach their full potential.
Sonia’s impact is far-reaching. Through her innovative professional development programs, she has trained thousands of educators across the U.S., transforming how they connect with youth, manage teams, and build inclusive, empowering learning environments. Her work has become a cornerstone for many afterschool and out-of-school time (OST) programs seeking to cultivate cultures of trust, empathy, and self-leadership.
As a speaker and trainer, Sonia brings warmth, wisdom, and immediately actionable strategies to every room she enters. Her keynote sessions and workshops are known for leaving audiences energized, reflective, and equipped to lead with heart and purpose.
Her scholarly work, including her dissertation “The Correlation Between Emotional Intelligence and Workplace Stress”(featured in Afterschool Matters Journal), positions her as a thought leader at the intersection of emotional intelligence and workforce well-being. She seamlessly bridges research with real-world application, helping organizations reduce burnout, improve communication, and cultivate emotionally intelligent cultures that serve both adults and children.
Whether she’s mentoring educators, parents, coaching youth practitioners, or designing curricula that center on student voice and agency,
Dr. Toledo remains steadfast in her mission: to elevate the emotional well-being of children by first transforming the adults who serve them.
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