Name
Isabella Vaz
Age
26
Company/Organization
Communities In Schools of Michigan
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
Communities In Schools of Michigan partners with schools and alongside volunteers, partners, and the local community to ensure students get the support they need—both in and out of the classroom. By offering a range of services and tailoring support to individual needs, we’re able to serve the whole school while focusing extra attention on students facing the greatest challenges. Support categories are as follows: Attendance, Behavior, Course Work, or Social Emotional Learning. Within the organization, I am the Far Westside Program Director, in which I supervise a team of 12 Student Support Coordinators across a span of 5 school districts.
Education
Bachelor of Science: Family Consumer Sciences, Leadership, and Psychology Master of Arts: Educational Leadership (K-12 Principalship) (In Progress; Expected Graduation/Licensure Date May 2026)
Accomplishments
• Consistently earned effective ratings from all supervisors at Benton Harbor Area Schools. • Named to the Dean’s List for her final three semesters of undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University while working full time at Benton Harbor Area Schools. • Achieved a 4.0 GPA in all completed graduate semesters at Western Michigan University while working full time at Communities In Schools of Michigan. • Nominated and elected as Antapokritis for the Chi Kappa Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. • Within her first year as Program Director, expanded area of responsibility from 6 to 12 schools. • Received effective ratings on all evaluations from the Westside Regional Director of Communities In Schools of Michigan.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
Before turning 40, I hope to accomplish the following: Transition into an administrative role specifically inside of a school building with a direct impact on behavior, culture/climate, and student support services Develop a student-centered framework for behavior and discipline that schools can easily adopt. Ideally one that empowers rather than punishes, recognizing mistakes as learning opportunities and focusing on teaching solutions Begin building a business that helps organizations identify and address culture and climate issues, supporting their growth and development, promoting a healthy environment for all Lastly, just to continue learning and growing, both personally and professionally!
Current City
Benton Harbor, MI
Place You Were Born
Niles, MI, but grew up in Berrien Springs, MI
What was your first job?
GBSRD – Greater Berrien Springs Recreation Department
What’s the best advice you ever got?
The best advice I’ve ever received is: “If you’ve lost your WHY, you’ve lost your WAY.” This is the BEST advice I’ve ever been given, because it reminds me to always keep my values and vision first. Without a vision or mission, you don’t have clear direction. This advice motivates me to stay grounded in my purpose and to ensure that every decision I make aligns with the reason I started in the first place.
Who inspires you most?
My family. They are my biggest motivation and every win I give credit to and honor them. They are the ones who “pack my parachute”.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
I’m pretty solid on the golf course, although I still can’t beat my Bubby (Grandpa).
What do you love to do in your downtime?
Talk on the phone with my Mom or my Nanny (Grandma), golf with my Bubby, hang out with my siblings, spend time with my friends, spend time with my dog Lila, or sleep!
What book are you reading now?
Well, as of right now, just my textbooks.
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I really enjoy supporting people when they need it. Volunteering at celebratory events is great, but I’m especially drawn to opportunities where I can help meet an actual need. Whether it’s making a donation or helping connect someone to a resource, it feels good to play a small part in removing a barrier for someone.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
In my community, people truly take pride in being part of it, and I love being around others who feel the same way and want to see it grow in meaningful ways. There are so many smart, passionate, talented and RESILIENT people here, especially the youth. Being able to work with them and move forward together is something that really inspires me.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
I would love to read minds!
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I want to be known as a good hearted person who made a positive difference, both directly and indirectly.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
Being named to the 40 Under 40 truly means a lot to me. I’ve always just put my head down and focused on doing the work, so to be recognized in this way feels incredibly special. I didn’t realize how much this kind of acknowledgment would mean, but it really reminded me that the work being done matters and that people see it. I feel so blessed to be part of a collective filled with such inspiring and driven individuals. It’s an honor to be included, and it motivates me even more to keep showing up for students, for the community, and for the future leaders we’re helping to shape. I’m just really grateful for this moment and excited for what’s ahead.
