Carmela Bennett

Dr. Carmela Bennett teaches Embodied Leadership at Columbia’s Teachers College and has worked in human development and primary and higher education for the past 30 years. A former elementary teacher at TASIS International School and lifelong dancer, Carmela holds an EdD in Leadership from Teachers College, a Masters in Counseling and has worked extensively with family and educational organizations as a counselor, educator, curriculum developer, and trainer.

As a certified executive and somatic coach, she now integrates her experience, research, and belief in human potential to maintain a successful executive coach and consulting practice with individuals and within for-profit and non-profit organizations, schools, and universities seeking to transform their professional and personal leadership. Clients include Educators 4 Excellence, Columbia Preparatory School, Stroudsburg U. Upward Bound, NYU Women’s Leadership, Columbia Executive Education, U. of Maryland, Stanford University, NRDC, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Dr. Bennett’s lifelong participation in the expressive arts, especially dance and movement, inspires her passion for integrating creativity and imagination that is grounded in academic theory and practice into all aspects of her work. A true ENFP, she is focused, intuitive and creative in her approach to developing personal and professional leadership. She considers our basic human desire for connection and communication a powerful and fundamental resource for meaningful change.

Educational Background

• B.A., Colgate University - English
• M.S., University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Counseling and Educational Psychology
• Ed.D., Teachers College Columbia University
• Certified Somatic Coach, Strozzi Institute
• Certified ICF Coach, Presence Based Coaching