Meet The Team

Romina Borsani-Herrera is the Founder and Lead Educator of Leap-ei. After graduating from Seton Hall University with a major in Elementary/Special Education and a minor in Psychology, Romina began her career as an Early Intervention Evaluator. She continued her social work in Essex County as a Developmental Intervention Therapist, where she was able to connect with families from many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds due to her fluency in Spanish, and spent time working as a Developmental Specialist for St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. Throughout her time as a special educator, Romina has come to learn that while many families have vastly different needs, they all share an unconditional love for their children. As such, Leap-ei became reality and Romina was given the opportunity to provide the families of her community with the resources they needed.

Amelia Martinez is the Art Director and Assistant Educator at Leap-ei. She holds both a Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degree from Montclair State University and has held positions there as a Technical Assistant in Printmaking, as well as a Graduate Assistant in Photography and an Instructor of the Montclair State University Gifted and Talented Program for K-12 STEM students. Amelia went on to work as an Image Paginator for The Star Ledger and recently became involved with the local YMCA as an instructor for the Summer Sparks STEAM Enrichment Program. Amelia makes the walls and windows of Leap-ei come alive with her love of art and lends a creative eye to planned activities that allow students to take pride in their projects. Be sure to stop by to check out her murals and paintings that are sure to make you do a double take!

Ivy Webb is a student at Morgan State University majoring in Sociology. She is also in the process of transferring to Kean University. Ivy has worked with kids during her freshman year in high school for four years and has experience working with children with special needs.  When working with the kids, she helps them with both academic and behavioral goals.  In addition, she works with children on their social interactions. Her goal when she graduates is to continue to work with children and also work with kids with special needs. Working with children for four years,  she grew to love helping and making a difference in children’s lives.

Marcella MacCarthy graduated from Kean University with a degree in Education and a concentration in both Special Education and Reading. Marcella began her teaching profession in the Roselle Public Schools where she taught for over 35 years. She taught various grade levels which included self-contained and inclusion classes. Marcella's philosophy in education is to meet the child where he or she is developmentally and educationally, then build on the child’s strengths. In this way, the child develops the tools and confidence for both school and life. Marcella began working at Leap-ei In February 2021. She brings years of experience and a warm loving spirit to the

Leap-ei family.

Lorena Gutierrez is Leap-ei's Health Consultant. She is a Registered Nurse in the State of New Jersey and has an Associates Degree in Nursing. Lorena is currently finishing her Bachelor's Degree and has been working under the Nurse Home Partnership since 2013. As a multilingual health care worker, Lorena is passionate about educating first-time mothers and dedicates herself to monitoring infant and toddler development. She plays an integral role in ensuring parents are directed to the proper services their child may need and prioritizes child safety above all else. Lorena is an active member of the New Jersey State Nurses Association and is wholeheartedly committed to making Leap-ei a safe and healthy space for its families!

Dr. Colleen Daly Martinez is a Licensed Clinical Social worker and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with more than 25 years of experience providing clinical services to children and their families. She recently earned certification as a Foundational Group Theraplay® Practitioner. She is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Ramapo College of New Jersey, and she provides training, supervision and consultation to individuals, agencies, and schools to ensure that children and their families receive high quality services.

Marianella Herrera is the Social Media and Communications Director at Leap-ei. She is currently an undergraduate at Cornell University, majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Public Policy. Her goals for the future include a career in pediatric healthcare and she looks forward to making a difference in any way she can. Marianella became involved in Leap-ei after her mom needed an extra set of hands and has since been delegated the job of making sure Leap-ei conveys valuable information as efficient as possible. You may find her volunteering as an assistant for any one of Leap-ei's many programs or making sure posts have no spelling mistakes. Marianella is excited to strengthen the connection between Leap-ei and the community it was built to serve!

Nicole is a highly accomplished director with expertise in running successful childcare businesses. With 29 years of experience in the industry, Nicole's journey began when she started her own daycare center, which she successfully operated for 23 years. Her deep understanding of the childcare landscape and her personal experiences led her to identify a crucial gap in the industry.

Motivated by her own child with special needs, who has Down syndrome and a congenital heart valve defect, Nicole recognized the need for specialized care for children with additional medical and developmental requirements. Determined to fill this void, she transitioned her daycare center to focus on providing services to families who were turned away from other centers due to their unique needs.

Throughout her career, Nicole has achieved notable success, with several highly accomplished individuals graduating from her daycare center. Additionally, she has been instrumental in assisting other childcare providers in starting and running thriving businesses.

As a mother of five and a childcare business owner for over two decades, Nicole's practical experience and expertise have been invaluable. She is driven by a strong philosophy centered on meeting the unique needs of every child and providing a safe and nurturing environment. Her professional values and principles are rooted in integrity, compassion, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Nicole is an active member of SPAN Child Advocacy, demonstrating her dedication to advocating for the rights and well-being of children. Her personal and professional journey as a mother and business owner fuels her passion for supporting families and creating opportunities for every child to thrive.

Chelsea is an experienced administrative assistant at Leap-ei, where she brings her passion for helping others and providing guidance. With over 10 years of experience in the childcare industry, Chelsea's journey began at an early age as she grew up in an environment where her mother owned and operated an in-home daycare center. This exposure fostered a deep love for working with children and a desire to help businesses thrive.

Chelsea's commitment to education is evident through her Magna Cum Laude graduation from Kean University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Public Administration and Communications. She strongly believes that every child has the potential to flourish with proper nurturing. Her work is guided by the principles of integrity and continual progress, ensuring the best outcomes for the children under her care.

Her diverse experiences, including work as a nanny, au pair in Italy, camp counselor, substitute teacher, homeschool teacher, and pediatric dental assistant, have equipped her with a well-rounded perspective on childcare. In addition to her extensive background in childcare, Chelsea has conducted research on childhood development and play therapy, contributing to the field's body of knowledge. 

With Chelsea's expertise and unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds, she is an invaluable asset to the preschool and a trusted advocate for children's well-being.