Kate Loftus
BOARD CHAIR
Kate Loftus has been with Mindfulness Through Movement since its inception, bringing over 500 hours of yoga teacher training and more than 25 years of personal practice to her work. As Board Chair, Kate brings both vision and continuity to the organization’s mission and vision. A former journalist and graduate of the University of Richmond, Kate is excited to lead the board and help expand the organization’s impact throughout the city of Philadelphia.
Cheryl Nichols
VICE CHAIR
Cheryl Nichols co-founded Mindfulness Through Movement in 2014. She is a certified yoga instructor (200-RYT) and teaches yoga and mindfulness for MTM at several Philadelphia urban schools. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she began her career in banking and has spent the last twenty-five years as a community volunteer focused on youth and the choices they make. Cheryl was an Independent Mission School Award nominee in 2018 as an Outstanding Volunteer.
Jerry Nichols
TREASURER
Head of Institutional Relationship Management — Macquarie Investment Management, Americas Philadelphia , PA. Jerry leads the institutional relationship management efforts for Macquarie Investment Management a role he has held since April 2008. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Kansas, and he is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Philadelphia. He currently serves on the Parish Advisory Board at St. John Vianney Church in Gladwyne, Pa where he is also Co-Chair of the Finance Committee. He serves as a founding Board Member of St. Rose of Lima School in West Philadelphia. St. Rose of Lima is a member of the Independence Mission Schools.
Holly Henry
RECORDING SECRETARY
Holly Henry is a communications specialist with core strengths in public relations, strategic marketing communications and advancement with extensive experience working for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and foundations. Her special interests are education and healthcare /wellness. She is certified to teach yoga and mindfulness to grade school children through Verge Yoga (RYT- 200) and Mindfulness Through Movement, as well as her Inner Strength Foundation certification for work with high school students. A graduate of Bucknell University and The American University, Holly served as MTM’s Director of Administration from 2014-2023 and taught MTM programming for four years.
Meredith Foote
Meredith is currently the Executive Director for the TGR Learning Lab at Cobbs Creek. She was formerly the principal of Overbrook Educational Center from 2014 to 2023. An educator since 2006, Meredith served as a high school English teacher and chief innovation officer for Camden Street School in Newark, New Jersey. Meredith grew up in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. In 2022, she received a Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals. The school honors diverse learners and provides excellent instruction for all students, including students who have an individualized education plan (IEP). Meredith is grateful to lead the most delightful, kind, hardworking students in the city who are instructed by a positive, loving, committed staff. During the 2018-2019 school year, the School District of Philadelphia recognized Overbrook for achieving five years of consistent improvement on the School Progress Report, increasing by 39% from 29% in the years 2014-2015, and by 68% in 2018-2019. In 2019, Overbrook was designated a Community School by the Mayor’s Office of Education, a designation that garnered, in partnership with the city, $985,000 for the Overbrook Educational Slow Zone project in 2022.
Dr. Darryl Johnson
A 2024 Neubauer Fellow, Darryl has served as the principal of G.W. Carver High School of Engineering and Science (Carver HSES) since August 2021. Under his leadership, Carver HSES developed a robust Dual Enrollment Pathways program along with a STEM internship experience that has allowed over 375 students to attain college credits and/or real world experiences prior to graduation. Carver HSES reported the highest 4-year graduation rates (100%) across the School District of Philadelphia during the 2022-2023 school year and was also recognized as one of the Best High Schools in the United States in 2023 by US News & World Report. Darryl has 15 years of experience in the School District of Philadelphia working hands-on with students, parents, and staff in various professional roles in both schools and the Central Office. In 2022, Darryl was recognized as a trailblazer and featured as an “Education Power Player” by Metro Philadelphia. He currently serves on the Professional Learning Advisory Board and the Black Male Leadership Think Tank and is also in the 2023 Instructional Leadership Academy led by the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders.
Melissa McGlinn
Melissa joins MTM’s Board of Directors with a life-long commitment to organizations serving under-resourced children and nurturing them in reaching their full potential. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she has served for 12 years on its Catholic Education Advisory Board. As a former high school teacher before raising four children, Melissa mentors students at Cristo Rey High school and is a co-founder of its Volunteer Network. She served as co-chair of Cristo Rey’s Capital Campaign Committee, and is currently co-chair for the Rodale Institute, a global leader in regenerative organic agricultural research. She is a certified Integrative Health Coach and consults with non-profits to expand program initiatives to incorporate holistic wellness to those they serve. A longtime supporter of MTM, Melissa is excited to include MTM as part of her journey in improving the lives of children in Philadelphia.
Virgil Sheppard
Virgil Sheppard currently serves as the President/CEO of Hope Partnership for Education. Hope Partnership for Education is a North Philadelphia independent middle school and education center that provides a high quality, values-based education that supports and challenges students from adolescence to adulthood. Prior to Hope, Virgil served as the Senior National School Partnerships Director for City Year where he was responsible for developing a partnership strategy that maximized student and school outcomes. Virgil is a proud West Philadelphia native, a graduate of Temple and Cheyney Universities and a Pahara Aspen Next-Gen Fellow.
Nicole Taylor
Nicole Taylor is a consultant with over 15 years of experience in facilitation, strategic planning, and leadership development. Her work has touched leaders at such organizations as the City of San Jose, National Board of Medical Examiners, All Our Kin, Barnes Foundation, and more. She has brought a systems change and equity lens to supporting the development of BIPOC leaders in nonprofit sectors including education, housing services, and city government. She is a dynamic leadership coach and facilitator with expertise in the art of supporting individuals and organizations in deep transformation. Woven into how Nicole works is her fierce advocacy for well-being and mindfulness. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, NAMA-certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Vishoka Meditation Teacher, and certified yoga instructor, she’s on a mission to help people cultivate balance and resilience in every aspect of life. Her book A Joyful Pause: 52 Ways to Love Life, supports people in finding pockets of joy and well-being daily.
Tim White
As a Certified Public Accountant, Tim brings his financial expertise and strong leadership skills to the Board. Currently, Tim is the Controller of the Fairmont Park Conservancy where he oversees the financial management of its construction and property portfolio. Prior to that role, Tim was the Accounting Manager of The Mann Center for the Performing Arts where he successfully guided staff through complex accounting challenges and partnerships. He is a graduate of Regis University and is an enthusiastic Sixers fan.
Emeritus Board Member
Peg Heldring
Peg Heldring (200-RYT) is the former President (2022-2025) and Executive Director of Mindfulness through Movement (2017-2022). Peg also oversaw the Mindful Moment Mentor (MMM) Program, helping 7th & 8th graders lead daily mindfulness practices for younger students. An ardent believer in the power of mindfulness and potential of young leaders, Peg is passionate about the benefits of the MMM program. Her goal is to create a school-wide mindfulness culture in all of Philadelphia’s inner-city schools. A graduate of Georgetown University and Seton Hall Law School, Peg practiced law for over thirty years and has been teaching yoga and mindfulness since 2016.
