Founder, Executive Director
“Peace begins at home. A family, in whatever form, is the first place one looks for belonging and connection. It can be the place a child learns to be a citizen of the world. I founded Family Leadership Center to provide families with the essential tools and strategies to raise children with compassion, responsibility, resilience and courage. The essential tools we explore in our programs can enable us to transform the biggest challenges into opportunities to grow closer together and discover new hidden gems within each of us. This is the gold for me.”

Marjie picked up her first parenting book when she was nine years old and has been learning and researching how to raise children and grow strong families ever since. She founded Family Leadership Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2016 to provide parents and caregivers with the essential tools and strategies to raise children with compassion, responsibility, resilience, and courage. 

Trained in Adlerian theory, systems theory, and family education, Marjie holds certifications in Nonviolent Communication, Responsive Classroom, and has a masters in education from Harvard. 

A mom of two adults, Marjie loves being with her family, friends, and dogs, taking walks, being on the water, reading, and playing sports and games.

Co-Chair of the Board
“FLC, steeped in Adlerian principles, is valuable and inspiring. Whether it be through classes, games, kits, groups, etc., FLC strives to encourage and inform individuals, families and communities everywhere. An organization that believes fervently that peace begins at home provides hope to those craving to find a better way.”

Bob Saxner joined the FLC board in 2022 while working with Marjie Longshore as co-chairs of the Family Education Section for the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP). Bob brings to the board years of experience as an Adlerian therapist. He has also presented at numerous national and international Adlerian conferences, several times focusing on Adlerian principles for families with children with a developmental challenge, and has been published twice in peer-reviewed Adlerian journals. As the father of two children, he also has plenty of first-hand experience with the joys and challenges of parenthood, while also acknowledging his imperfections (which he continues to work on). Bob received his doctorate in clinical psychology and works in the Boston area. He enjoys family time, occasional travels, and local restaurants (though his doctor tells him to rein it in).

Co-Chair of the Board
“Growing up, I watched my parents, who in addition to raising a large family, consistently involved themselves in their community. I knew I wanted my kids to grow up with that same community-minded sense of civic responsibility. What really touched me about Family Leadership Center’s classes was the emphasis on connection and encouragement. I see such a difference in my whole family when my kids are empowered to try something new or be part of a solution. I’ve learned to foster their sense of courage by not always doing things for them and pushing them beyond their comfort zones. If I can create a family with children who are kind, responsible, well-rounded, and thoughtful in the household, I would only hope that they would project that out into the community. I really think there should be more of this kind of thinking in families throughout the world. If we could accomplish that, we would have a very different world. For me, joining the FLC board was a natural extension of my involvement with the organization, to see how I could be a part of expanding this education into my community, throughout the United States, and the world.”

Lucinda Stamboulian joined the board in 2022 after taking several of FLC’s core classes. Having spent most of her career in consumer product sales, Lucinda brings to the board a passion for and a strategic eye on how to further the organization’s reach. As a working mom with three young children, she also brings a real-time perspective on parenting - the struggles, the self doubt, the triumphs. Not only does her professional and personal background make Lucinda a natural fit for the team, Lucinda simply loves to be actively involved wherever she goes. In addition to serving on FLC’s board, you can find her serving on the board and many committees at her church, coaching her kids’ sports teams, or volunteering at their school. At home with the kids and her husband, Lucinda loves using one of the core tools we teach in our programs called Special Time. She finds it gives each child a sense of positive power to choose an activity while also getting that precious one-on-one time with mom - two favorite activities include cooking and baking. 

Treasurer of the Board
“A nation is a federation of families. We need strong families to have a strong nation. A strong democracy gives people two things: first freedom, second responsibility. Freedom and responsibility can't be separated. Without responsibility and accountability, we can't have freedom. 

• People learn the values of citizenship in their family first
• If there are unhealthy families it is reflected in the country as a whole
• A democracy requires people to be good citizens. In a dictatorship it doesn’t matter if people are good citizens, as they just are told what to do, no shared problem solving. 
• A healthy democracy starts young.”

Albert’s interests and goals in contributing to the FLC board include:

• Promote FLC as a tool for a stronger democracy. 
• Share our work with diverse university faculty and researchers, create new connections
• Strategic thinking

Albert’s CV Includes:

• Faculty at American University, NYU, and Georgetown
• RSA Fellow: part of an international group of change-makers
• “Conflict and Culture Historian” focusing on how identity influences decisions
• PhD, Howard University in history, focus on race
• Masters degree from Norwich University in VT

“As a longtime friend and fan of Marjie’s, I have watched FLC grow and expand.  I sat in one parenting class several years ago and I learned about the importance of a healthy family and the 4 Cs.  Giving children the gift of “I can do” is powerful.  Helping families learn to better communicate, express their needs, listen and problem solve together is such an important tool that every family member can take with them in the day-to-day life outside of the family.”

 Martha’s CV includes:

• Certifications and Training: MA Education Administration, USTA Trained Facilitator, Emerge CA Political Training graduate
• Elementary science and computer teaching (public and independent schools)
• Not for profit project management and fundraising, capital campaign, community meeting @ Co-Chair of Tennis Coalition SF ten-year, $30 million public-private partnership renovation of Golden Gate Park Tennis Center
• International LGBT+ Sports Management @ Federation of Gay Games
• Certified Pickleball Coach and Co-Owner @DinkSF
• Bridge Coach @ Planet Bridge 
• Current Board Member: USTA NorCal; SF Parks Alliance; Planet Bridge; Inner Sunset Park Neighbors

“Over many years of teaching in multiple settings and cultures, it became clear to me that the most important factor in a child’s development was loving, skillful parenting. And yet, in most cases, it seems that parents are expected to figure things out on their own, with no training and often little support. Discovering FLC through my friendship with Marjie was a revelation. The Adlerian principles make so much sense, not only for parenting but also for most any aspect of human relations, including teaching. I was fortunate to participate in an online FLC class two years ago, and continue to be so impressed with the approach, strategies and resources. I’m excited by its potential to transform lives, families and communities, and I would like to support the mission however I can.”

Randy was a middle/high school social studies/world geography teacher for 28 years, including two years teaching and playing music in China, as well as summer professional development experiences in six continents. He is among the 4% of US teachers to have achieved National Board Certification (early adolescence social studies) by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Now retired from public school teaching, Randy continues to enjoy traveling, playing sports and music, and church and community service.

“My abiding aim is to help individuals, families, organizations, leaders, and other professionals recognize and overcome internal and external obstacles that interfere with their healthy and socially responsible functioning. Serving on the board of Family Leadership Center is doing this!"

Karen is a developmental psychologist and Adlerian psychotherapist, as well as a clinical and leadership supervisor and mentor. Over the past 30 years, she has developed and facilitated university-linked leadership and work-based supervision training programs, acting as an organizational consultant to leaders and teams involved in integrating educational, social care, health, and community services for children and families in the UK.

Prior to this, Karen was the Director of Human Resources and Training of a UK-wide community-based mental health organisation, where she worked to broaden access to training and qualifications for those working within and outside the organisation. Her career began and progressed for more than 20 years in developmental psychology and psychiatry research at Yale University, USA, and the Institute of Psychiatry, London. Karen led a range of studies notably a longitudinal NIMH-funded research, ‘Children at High and at Low Risk of Depression’ and MacArthur Foundation funded ‘Adaptive Social Functioning Among Children and Young People: A Cross-National Study’ (US-UK, 929 children ages 7-18).

Currently, Karen serves on the faculty and is Secretary-Treasurer of the International Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes (ICASSI), and a vice president of the UK Adlerian Society (ASIIP). A prolific writer, Karen has authored 85 articles, chapters, and books, in part as an editor of the ASIIP YearBook for 17 years. She has identified developmental, social psychology, and organizational research evidence for the Crucial Cs and other prescient Adlerian insights.

“I find FLC’s vision and work to be heartwarming and inspiring. Most of my career work has been helping organizations with unique offerings to grow in the marketplace. To more actively contribute to FLC’s work in this area is immensely stimulating and satisfying to me."

Jack’s career passion has been "to make new ideas work". He has enjoyed 30+ years as a software/services management consultant, new product development manager, sales and general manager, trainer and coach. He has designed and launched software tools to worldwide success. His consulting assignments have included on-site projects with cultures on five continents, for small, medium and large organizations. Jack is currently designing "3-Way Win(tm)", a software tool and board game to help people make better decisions on important investments. His nonprofit consulting has included three terms as a Board Member for the Harvard Business School Global Alumni Association, a church leadership committee, and guidance for software start-ups. FLC's vision for their Family Meeting Kits is especially intriguing to Jack since it targets "family success", a hugely important and foundational idea to bring relief to our increasingly chaotic world. During his "time off", Jack enjoys regional and world travel, reading, studying interesting new board games, and hanging around nature to recharge with family and friends.

“I learned about FLC through my work on EnTeam, which teaches cooperation and collaboration through games and sports. FLC incorporates EnTeam Games to help FLC participants apply the 4C concepts. I grew up in a family of educators, but I wish I had had the benefit of FLC in raising our family. Fortunately my grandchildren are profiting from what I am learning now.” 

Ellen has a Ph.D. in Family and Child Ecology with a focus on adolescence from Michigan State University. Other degrees include a master’s degree in educational foundations (Harvard University Graduate School of Education), a 6th Year certificate in school administration and supervision (Southern Connecticut State University), and a B.S. in human ecology education from Michigan State University. Ellen taught family economics and management at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC as well as food science and human nutrition, and clothing and textiles at Point Beach Middle School, Milford, CT.  She has two adult daughters and three grandchildren. Her interest in working with families professionally began in college when she was a teacher’s aide with the Connecticut Migratory Children’s Program in New Haven.  Some hobbies include synchronized swimming, dance, and admiring and collecting antique quilts.