October 21, 2026
Nathalie Baret ’26ED, a graduate student in The School of Education at St. John’s University, has been invited to attend the nationally recognized Women Making History Awards ceremony, hosted by the National Women’s History Museum in Chicago, IL, on November 6. The annual event honors women whose leadership, innovation, advocacy, and impact shape history and inspire future generations.
A proud alumna of St. John’s University, Ms. Baret earned her Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education, graduating magna cum laude. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in special education in The School of Education. Throughout her academic journey, she has distinguished herself through her commitment to leadership, mentorship, and educational programming initiatives that have helped shape her vision as a future educator and advocate.
“Nathalie is developing her teaching philosophy in the footsteps of trailblazing educators,” said her mentor, Daniel J. Napolitano, Assistant Dean of Student Services and Community Design in The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. “She recognizes the importance of extending education beyond the classroom, leveraging the power of social media, and building educational alliances on a national level. I hope her work inspires fellow alumni of The School of Education to become part of this growing movement.”
Alongside her mentor, Ms. Baret also acknowledged the profound impact of Danielle DiMarco, Ph.D., Online Success Coach, and Regina M. Mistretta, Ed.D., Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, for their support and leadership as key influences in shaping her educational philosophy, commitment to service, and aspirations as a future educator.
Ms. Baret currently serves as Director of Educational Programming for the National Women’s History Alliance’s 2027 magazine initiative, Financial Literacy, Liberation, and Leadership: Women in Business. In this role, she helps develop educational resources, lesson plans, and Career Conversations designed to promote financial literacy and empower young women to make informed decisions about their futures.
Her leadership has also contributed to the development of partnerships with prominent national organizations, including the Jump$tart Coalition, National Council on Problem Gambling, US Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, American Bankers Association, and the Federal Trade Commission. Through her work advancing educational access and financial literacy on a national scale, she earned the opportunity to participate in the Women Making History Awards celebration.
“I view this opportunity as a chance to proudly represent St. John’s University and The School of Education while continuing to grow professionally through the work I have contributed to this national initiative,” said Ms. Baret. “I am excited to connect with educators, leaders, and advocates who share a commitment to student empowerment, exchange ideas, and explore innovative ways to expand access to these resources. Being able to share this work with the St. John’s community and beyond makes this experience especially meaningful.”
As the Women Making History Awards celebrates remarkable women whose contributions are shaping the future, Ms. Baret’s selection reflects the transformative impact of educational leadership and the power of emerging educators to inspire change in their communities and beyond.
We caught up with Ms. Baret for a Q&A.
What does being part of this event mean to you personally and professionally?
Personally, this event feels like a reminder that I’m beginning to make a difference in ways that matter to me. I keep a picture in my phone that says, “I want to be a teacher because I want to be a cheerleader for those who don’t have one.” That has always meant so much to me because it reflects the kind of person I want to be, inside and outside the classroom.
Professionally, it feels like the start of a new chapter. I’m realizing my impact isn’t limited to the classroom. Being involved with the National Women’s History Alliance is showing me opportunities and professional spaces I didn’t imagine before. It’s teaching me I don’t have to limit myself to one path. I can be an educator, an advocate, and someone who helps create opportunities for others too. That’s what being here means to me—connecting who I am with the professional I’m becoming.
Is there a woman in your life or career who has helped shape your journey?
My mom has been one of the most important people shaping who I am. Watching her navigate challenges, push through, and still build the life she wanted has motivated me to become the best version of myself. She has shown me that obstacles don’t have to limit how far you can go. They can actually become fuel to keep moving forward. That’s what I carry with me.
The event celebrates extraordinary women whose leadership and advocacy continue to shape history and inspire those who follow. How do you think recognizing today’s changemakers inspires future generations?
I think recognizing today’s changemakers matters because every contribution has a ripple, even if we don’t see it. Sometimes one small act nudges someone else forward, like a domino effect that keeps going. Thinking of it like a baby learning to walk helps too. There are falls before the first confident steps. Change can feel like that. We have to be willing to start somewhere, even when we don’t know exactly where that first step will lead. We don’t have to see the whole path to make an impact. Sometimes all it takes is one person taking the first step.
How has your educational journey in The School of Education at St. John’s University prepared you to make an impact?
My journey through St. John’s pushed me to step outside what I thought was possible. Teaching in Italy introduced me to a different culture and educational setting, and that experience gave me confidence to pursue opportunities on my own. Later, I networked independently and secured a second student-teaching experience in Costa Rica.
Beyond the classroom, I took part in the European Innovation Academy, where I worked on Calmia with an international team and received a $10,000+ patent support scholarship from Nixon Peabody. We began building the company with the focus of helping adults manage stress in a discreet and accessible way through a smart ring. The ring was designed to monitor heart rate, analyze heart rate variability to identify stress and recovery patterns, and provide real-time feedback through gentle vibrations without requiring a screen. It would also connect to a companion app where users could track their heart rate trends and stress and recovery patterns.
What these experiences taught me is that my education is about more than becoming a teacher. It’s about keeping curiosity alive, learning something new every day, and showing my future students that they’re not limited to one path.
As I keep learning every day, I want to carry that mindset into my classroom and show my students that learning never stops, even for their teachers. And I hope they understand that they’re not limited to one path, one interest, or one definition of success—there’s always room to explore, try something different, and discover new things about themselves.
If you could leave one message for young women reading this interview, what would it be, and what do you hope they will say women like you helped accomplish?
If I could leave young women with one message, it would be to never limit yourself to what you think is possible and don’t feel like you have to have everything figured out to get started. Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that your path doesn’t have to be straight or look like anyone else’s.
I’ve had opportunities to teach in different countries, connect with people from different backgrounds, and explore interests beyond education. Each experience taught me something new about myself.
I hope young women can see women like me as proof that you don’t have to wait for permission to go after what you want. You can create your own opportunities, define success for yourself, and encourage other women to do the same.
In one word, how do you feel being part of the Women Making History Awards, and why?
Emotional—because honestly, I still don’t think I’ve fully processed what this means yet. There’s something overwhelming about sitting in a room meant to celebrate women who are making history, while realizing your own story is still unfolding. When I started contributing to this project, I knew I wanted to be part of something meaningful, but I couldn’t have pictured where it would lead.
Somewhere along the way, I find myself asking, how did I get here? My life is like a book, and this chapter is still being written. I don’t know what the next page will bring, and honestly that’s what makes this moment special. Sometimes we get so focused on the next chapter, we forget to notice the one we’re living.
This is a moment I’ll remember—not because I have everything figured out, but because I don’t. I’m growing, learning, and still writing my story. I may not know how it’ll end, but I know I want to keep turning the page to find out. And being able to say, “I’m really here, I’m actually living this,” is something I’ll carry with me long after the event is over.
Do you have any final thoughts?
I see this as a chance to represent St. John’s University and The School of Education while continuing to grow professionally through the work I have contributed to this national project. One of my goals for this experience is to share the work I have been doing with fellow St. John’s educator alumni, as well as other educators and professionals who may be interested in the initiative.
I would love to connect with individuals who share similar interests in education and student empowerment, exchange ideas, and explore ways to bring these resources and opportunities into more educational settings. Having the chance to share what I have been working on, particularly with members of the St. John’s community, would make this experience even more meaningful to me.