Meet Our Founder
Eliza Wagner Sulis, Ed.M.
Eliza is an executive functioning coach, educator, and the founder and head consultant of Empowering Scholars. With more than 20 years of experience in K–12 and higher education, she helps students and adults build the skills that drive focus, follow-through, and productivity. Her work includes one-on-one coaching, parent collaboration, professional development in schools, and workplace consulting.
Eliza brings a strategic, strengths-based approach grounded in a deep understanding of learning, motivation, and performance.
Our Team
Gina Bennette
Gina has more than 20 years of teaching experience working with students of all levels, from pre-K to adults.
Gina is an expert in working with students who are struggling in their studies and life management due to a variety of neuro-divergent considerations. Her strength in empathizing makes her skilled at helping students get to know themselves and how their brains work. This understanding allows them to overcome habits and negative thinking that have become entrenched over time. Prior to moving to the Boston area, Gina founded and ran her own school for neuro-divergent thinkers in grades PK – 8th grade in Leander, TX. Realizing this work as her true calling, Gina received her Master’s in Education in 2018, and she currently teaches math and science to 4th – 8th grade students, in addition to supporting Empowering Scholars’ students and families.
Kevin O’Brien
Kevin has been an educator for more than ten years and taught in schools in both the United States and Spain before joining Empowering Scholars in 2022.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in History from Western New England University, Kevin lived in Spain where he taught English and History. He then went back to school and earned his master’s degree in Secondary Education from Lesley University. Kevin is currently a special education teacher in the Boston Public Schools and has taught in a multitude of school settings, both private and public, in Boston, Newton, and Lexington. Kevin has a passion for learning and believes that with the right approach and support, every student can grow their skills and their confidence. Outside of school, Kevin likes to learn languages, swim, hike, and spend time with his family.
TESTIMONIAL
“Finding teacher and tutor Eliza Sulis was a huge blessing for our library. The Study Skills Workshop series was a great asset to our teens, and parents expressed huge excitement and gratitude over having these workshops for their children. Our first Study Skills Workshop focused on Homework and Organization and the second focused on Technology. Each workshop had a huge interest level from parents and students. The first one was quickly booked up and had a large wait list and the second one filled up fast as well. Due to such high demand, I made sure to book a third workshop, which also had good attendance. I highly recommend these workshops to other libraries and hope I get to utilize Eliza’s services again in the near future.”
–Amy Rosa, Librarian, Old Colony Library Network