Mary Snell: Creating Second Chances That Transform Students’ Lives and Futures
When students succeed, communities thrive. Under the leadership of CEO Mary Snell , New Leaf Organization has built a network of schools that do more than recover credits—they ignite possibility. Each program is a second chance that equips students with the skills, confidence, and vision to graduate and pursue their goals. It’s education reimagined: responsive, empowering, and built on the belief that no dream should be left behind. Mary has dedicated her life to making sure those second chances exist. She leads with strategy and compassion—shaping programs, building partnerships, and ensuring every decision puts students first. Under her leadership, New Leaf has grown from a single small school serving 100 students to five thriving campuses , with two more set to open in 2025— impacting over 5,500 graduates and supporting 2,200 current students each year. With a flexible, career-focused approach, the organization offers mastery-based learning, clear job pathways, and wraparoun...