Our Team
Mark A. Collin, MA, MFT Author/Founder
Mark is the author of the Toolbox Project. He is a thought leader and developer of the Toolbox Project and ongoing product development. Mark created Toolbox Project while working with disadvantaged children as a counselor in a K-8 school. He has been teaching, studying, and practicing in the field of humanistic, Jungian, and transpersonal psychology for over 40 years. Mark maintains a small private practice as a marriage and family therapist in Santa Rosa, California. Formerly a craftsman and builder of fine homes, the Toolbox Project metaphor came naturally to him.
Paula Davidson - Executive Director Paula is a passionate advocate for education who brings her diverse background in law, technology, and business to her role as Executive Director at Toolbox Project. As a first-generation college graduate, she understands firsthand the transformative power of education and is dedicated to ensuring all students have access to social-emotional learning tools.
Before joining Toolbox Project, Paula served as COO of Living Popups, an Augmented Reality education company, where she developed AR content for children's books and designed user interfaces for educational and mental health applications.
Laurel Collin -Chief of Operations
Laurel is our Director of Operations & Fulfillment and has been working for Toolbox Project since 2010. She is the first person you hear when you call our office and makes sure everything regarding Toolbox Project runs smoothly. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island.
Jason Spencer - Lead Trainer
Prior to joining Toolbox Project as a trainer, Jason served at the California Department of Education as Principal Advisor to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. He helped shape policy to support social-emotional learning, career technical education, and whole-child approaches across California’s public schools.
Jason is also the Project Director of the non-profit project, Green Light Get Outside. Green Light GO provides middle school students—especially those from historically underserved communities—with a transformative yearlong experience that integrates classroom curriculum, consistent outdoor learning, and awe inspiring adventures in nature with long-term mentorship.
A product of the California Community College system and first generation college graduate, Jason holds dual B.A.s in Sociology and Political Science from Sonoma State University and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Southern California..
Consultants
Makena Collin - Consultant
Makena is headed back to graduate school, but she will stay on at Toolbox Project as a consultant. She has been involved with Toolbox Project on and off since the beginning. She has many years of experience in Early Childhood Education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and French Studies and working towards a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy with an emphasis on Early Childhood Development.
Peter Hwosch -Videographer/Filmmaker
Peter is our wonderful Videographer/Filmmaker who has been working with Toolbox Project since 2007. He has compiled thousands of hours of footage including interviews with students, teachers, and experts in the field of Whole Child Education and Social and Emotional Learning as well as classroom lessons involving Toolbox Project. Peter has captured the essential discovery and magic of Toolbox Project in transforming the lives of the children, teachers, families and their communities.