Meet our team
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.
Founder & CEO, Novus Mundus 360
Maya Woods-Cadiz is a nationally respected education executive with nearly 30 years of success transforming schools, districts, and charter systems. As the founder and CEO of Novus Mundus 360, she brings deep expertise in school turnaround and leadership development. Her 11-year tenure as superintendent and CEO of the highest-performing charter school network in the California Bay Area, where every campus ranked in the top 5% statewide, a distinction achieved through clear vision, operational discipline, and a deep commitment to students. Her leadership guided the network through four successful charter renewals, including a groundbreaking renewal under California’s AB 1505, securing countywideauthorization.
Maya has worked across public, charter, and independent schools, as well as in central office roles in a large urban school system. She understands the demands facing struggling schools and has a proven track record of turning around underperforming campuses by rebuilding leadership capacity, restoring trust, and designing systems that work. Struggling schools choose to work with her because she brings more than theory; she brings results. She knows how to lead through crisis, engage the community, and align strategy with sustainable student success.
Maya founded Novus Mundus 360 to expand her impact by coaching leaders, supporting boards, guiding compliance, and partnering with schools to deliver stronger systems, more effective leadership, and better outcomes for students, especially in communities that need it most.
Eileen Gazaway & Armand Carr
Affiliate Partner, Novus Mundus 360
Eileen Gazaway and Armand Carr are renowned communicators, youth advocates, and relational awareness coaches dedicated to empowering youth, families, and communities while equipping professionals who support them. As the leaders of L.U.V Logically Speaking™, All Tied Up Academy, and The Lady & The Voice, they combine decades of expertise in public speaking, leadership development, mentorship, and community engagement to bridge the gap between what young people need and how adults, families, and systems provide it.
They engage directly with youth through interactive workshops, family dialogues, and community initiatives, gaining firsthand insight into the struggles, perspectives, and needs of students today. By weaving these experiences into their trainings, they equip educators, school leaders, board members, social workers, and caregivers with practical strategies to build trust, improve communication, and create safe, supportive spaces where students feel heard and valued.
Their community impact has earned numerous honours, including the Jefferson Award, Black Enterprise 100 Men of Distinction, Cisco International Influencer of the Year, Steph Curry/Under Armour Community All-Star Award, and recognition from Congresswoman Barbara Lee for his work combating human trafficking. In 2016, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf proclaimed May 16th “Armand Carr Day.”
Together, Eileen and Armand bridge generational divides, strengthen relationships between youth and adults, and create lasting cultural change in schools and communities. In partnership with Novus Mundus 360 LLC.
Seth Feldman
Affiliate Partner, Novus Mundus 360
*Through a third-party firm
Seth Feldman brings a rare and powerful blend of legal expertise and educational leadership to Novus Mundus 360. With a Juris Doctorate and years of experience serving as General Counsel to school districts across California, Seth is known for creating calm out of chaos and guiding organizations back to clarity, compliance, and operational strength.
A seasoned attorney, Seth’s expertise spans education law, governance, alternative dispute resolution, forensic accounting, EEOC representation, special education compliance, and Title IX oversight. His ability to navigate complex legal frameworks makes him a trusted advisor to school boards, superintendents, and leadership teams facing high-stakes challenges.
In addition to his legal acumen, Seth has deep experience in school leadership, organizational investigations, and project management, giving him insight into both the structural and human dimensions of schools. He is CASBO-certified as a Certified School Business Officer, demonstrating mastery of school finance and operations, and serves as a Committee Chair for WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), where he leads comprehensive 360° institutional reviews focused on governance, accountability, and sustainable growth.
Whether he is drafting policy, conducting investigations, resolving disputes, or guiding leaders through compliance mandates, Seth brings a steady, strategic presence to every room. At Novus Mundus 360, he applies his unmatched legal and operational expertise to help schools solve problems, strengthen governance, and thrive.
Dr. Tanja S. Thompson, EdD, MBA
Affiliate Partner, Novus Mundus 360
Dr. Tanja S. Thompson brings nationally recognized expertise in leadership training, conflict resolution, and human capital management to Novus Mundus 360. A TEDx speaker and 25-year U.S. Air Force veteran, she is known for her ability to transform struggling teams into resilient, high-performing organizations through equity-centred and trauma-informed leadership practices.
Her professional background spans mediation, HR investigations, organizational design, and executive coaching, with a strong focus on repairing fractured teams, navigating employee disputes, and equipping leaders to manage complex human dynamics. She is a trusted advisor to schools, nonprofits, and agencies facing high-stakes challenges in governance, leadership, and organizational culture.
Dr. Thompson’s approach combines military discipline, emotional intelligence, and professional empathy, making her uniquely effective in both conflict resolution and leadership development. She has delivered leadership training programs, facilitated conflict mediation and team trust-building, and designed human management systems that balance compliance with compassion.
At Novus Mundus 360, Dr. Thompson applies her deep expertise to help schools and organizations strengthen leadership, resolve conflict, and create sustainable systems that empower people to thrive
Katema Ballentine
Affiliate Partner, Novus Mundus 360
Katema Ballentine brings over 26 years of financial and operational leadership in public education. With deep expertise in budget development, fiscal oversight, special fund management, position control, and project coordination, Katema is a trusted partner to school systems striving for financial clarity, operational strength, and long-term sustainability.
She has managed and supported complex school district budgets exceeding $500 million, led district-wide budget adoption processes, and overseen state and federal compliance reporting—including categorical funding, capital facilities, and special education fiscal management. Katema is especially known for her ability to translate complex budget information into actionable guidance for superintendents, boards, and school site teams.
Katema has served as Chief Business Officer for AIMS K12 College Prep Charter District, as well as Budget Director and Analyst for Oakland Unified School District.
She is certified in CBO Bootcamp, Advanced Excel, and Project Management, and has served as a CASBO Facilitator.
At Novus Mundus 360, Katema brings unmatched precision, integrity, and dedication to helping schools build systems that support strong student outcomes, informed decision-making, and organizational health.
Marlon Greatrex
Affiliate Partner, Novus Mundus 360
Government Relations & Federal Policy Strategist | Novus Mundus 360 Affiliate
Marlon Greatrex is a dynamic government relations professional with more than six years of experience advancing federal education and workforce policy priorities in Washington, D.C. He specializes in bipartisan advocacy, coalition building, and congressional engagement, bringing a deep understanding of how to translate complex policy goals into measurable outcomes.
As Senior Manager of Government Relations at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Marlon led federal strategies that strengthened relationships across Capitol Hill, federal agencies, and national coalitions. He managed high-level stakeholder campaigns, secured critical federal program funding, and coordinated more than 500 meetings with policymakers to advance equitable access and innovation in public education.
A former Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellow, Marlon brings a grounded perspective on legislative process, federal advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. His earlier experience with the Los Angeles Unified School District and Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy informs his holistic approach to community partnership, equity, and policy impact.
At Novus Mundus 360, Marlon partners with education leaders, boards, and policy advocates to strengthen organizational voice and influence in the public sector
bridging policy, practice, and purpose for sustainable impact.
Brian Wilson
Affiliate Partner, Novus Mundus 360
Brian Wilson is an accomplished executive leader with a proven track record of strengthening operations, compliance, and systems alignment across the public, nonprofit, and education sectors. As Vice President of Operations at Charter Benefits, he helped lead the company’s evolution from a specialized insurance agency into a comprehensive HR and compliance solution provider—serving over 500 organizations, including school districts, private schools, and mission-driven nonprofits.
Brian specializes in helping schools build strong back-office foundations, enabling leadership teams to focus on student achievement and organizational health by addressing the unique operational needs of schools. Brian’s calm leadership and sharp problem-solving make him a trusted advisor.
His work reflects a simple belief: great schools require great systems. At Novus Mundus 360, Brian helps make that possible.