Nicole “Soul” Creary is the President, CEO, and Founder of Soul2Soulz, Inc., originally established in 2007 as the Institute for Motivating Adolescents and Nourishing Insight (IMANI, Inc.). She founded the organization in response to the challenges facing youth in underserved communities and the need for programs that empower young people while supporting the families, educators, and communities surrounding them. Through in-school, after-school, and community-based programming, Soul2Soulz provides workshops, lessons, trainings, and creative programming designed to engage, enlighten, encourage expression, and empower youth to reach their full potential.

Soul brings more than 30 years of experience in social services and education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Social Work, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).

A graduate of the National Urban Fellows MPA Executive Leadership Program, Soul completed a fellowship serving as Special Assistant to the Board of Education Chief of Staff. Her work included strategic development, policy creation, conflict mediation, school relations, and program development within Attendance and Truancy. She also contributed to district-wide strategies to re-engage out-of-school youth and reduce dropout rates, which became the focus of her graduate capstone research.

Soul has more than 20 years of program leadership experience, directing in-school, after-school, Attendance Improvement/Dropout Prevention, and Beacon Community Center programs in partnership with New York City public schools. Throughout her leadership career, she has managed combined budgets exceeding $1 million, supervised approximately 75 staff members, and overseen programming serving more than 800 students. She has developed community partnerships, created staff training modules, supervised multidisciplinary teams, and worked closely with principals, guidance counselors, social workers, teachers, Social Work interns, and AmeriCorps members to strengthen services and improve outcomes for young people.

As a Director of Student Services/Assistant Principal, Soul helped develop and strengthen schoolwide discipline and student-support protocols and procedures. Her inclusive approach engaged students, staff, and school leaders across multiple campuses in developing systems to strengthen student support and school culture. She also created and facilitated professional development for teachers and school staff.

Soul is trained in the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Restorative Practices model and incorporates restorative approaches throughout her work to promote positive relationships, accountability, communication, and healthy school and community environments.

Education continues to be central to Soul’s work. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at Medgar Evers College School of Social Workand has also taught as an adjunct at Brooklyn College, Long Island University, and New York City College of Technology (City Tech).

Her commitment to youth and education also extends into civic leadership through her service on Brooklyn Community Board 9, where she has served as Chair of the Youth and Education Committee. This work further reflects her longstanding commitment to advocating for young people, families, education, and stronger communities.

In addition to her work as a social worker, educator, and community leader, Soul is a writer and director of issue-based films that explore challenges affecting individuals, families, and communities. She incorporates film, storytelling, role-play, and other creative forms of expression into her work as catalysts for social-emotional development, reflection, dialogue, and positive change.

Across her work in social services, education, nonprofit leadership, civic engagement, and the arts, Soul remains committed to a central purpose: creating opportunities for people, particularly young people, to recognize their strengths, find their voices, and realize their full potential.