Dr Joanne Marien

For the past decade, Dr. Joanne Marien has led way in promoting human rights education in public schools. Drawing upon her rich background as a teacher, curriculum leader, principal and Superintendent of Schools in suburban New York, Dr. Marien is known for her groundbreaking, district wide efforts to center global awareness and social action as the focal points of the curriculum throughout the grades. She has since expanded her influence through her role as Director of Educational Programs for the Creative Visions Foundation, where she is leading the development of Rock Your World. Dr. Marien also consults with the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights' Speak Truth to Power curriculum. She spearheaded efforts to create Become a Defender, a partnership effort between Speak Truth to Power and Rock Your World.

Dr. Marien holds three advanced degrees, including a doctorate from Columbia University. She has taught numerous professional and graduate level courses ranging from curriculum design to organizational innovation and change. Currently, she is a clinical professor in the doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Manhattanville College, New York.