Educational Leader | Licensed Mental Health Counselor | Systems Architect for Student Success
Dr. Lisandra Prieto-Gonzalez, Ed.D., LMHC, is a transformational educational leader and licensed mental health counselor whose work integrates academic excellence, emotional wellness, and institutional innovation to strengthen communities at scale. With more than two decades of service in education and counseling, she has built sustainable systems that elevate student outcomes while reinforcing the essential role of family engagement in long-term success.
Dr. Prieto-Gonzalez earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education, where she also completed her master’s in educational leadership. She holds a Master’s in School Counseling and a Mental Health Specialist certification from Nova Southeastern University. She began her academic journey at Florida International University, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in English Literature and Political Science.
Certified to teach, counsel, and lead in PreK–12 settings, Dr. Prieto-Gonzalez served for more than 17 years with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she worked across academic leadership, social-emotional learning, and crisis-intervention frameworks. Her work consistently focused on building protective systems for vulnerable youth and equipping families with the tools needed to navigate complex educational pathways.
Today, she serves as co-founder and board member of Dade Prep Academy, one of Florida’s largest voucher-funded private schools serving over 1,000 students annually. Under her executive oversight, Dade Prep has expanded into a comprehensive student-support ecosystem, offering credit-recovery programs, NCAA-aligned academic pathways, Cognia-accredited online and in-person instructional models, and integrated mental health services. Her leadership has positioned the school as a stabilizing force for at-risk students seeking structure, academic continuity, and hope.
In addition to her institutional leadership, Dr. Prieto-Gonzalez plays a strategic development role in OliveAI, an emerging global EdTech platform co-developed alongside her husband, Mr. Andy Prieto. Within OliveAI, she contributes clinical insight, student behavioral analytics frameworks, and family-engagement architecture to ensure the platform remains human-centered while technologically advanced. Her focus is on building digital systems that not only improve operational efficiency but also strengthen the emotional and psychological support surrounding students in diverse learning environments.
Her leadership contributions have received formal governmental acknowledgment at multiple levels. In 2025, Dr. Prieto-Gonzalez was included among recipients of the United States Capitol Lifetime Achievement recognition for sustained community service and national volunteer impact. She has also been honored with official commendations from the City of Paterson, New Jersey, and with legislative recognition from the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, both acknowledging her distinguished service in education, mental health advocacy, and youth development.
As a licensed mental health counselor, Dr. Prieto-Gonzalez remains deeply engaged in direct support of families facing crisis, trauma, behavioral challenges, and transitional life events. Her philosophy centers on serving the whole child — academically, emotionally, and socially — through evidence-based practice and compassionate leadership.
Recognized for her ability to unite policy, education, clinical care, and technology into cohesive systems of opportunity, Dr. Lisandra Prieto-Gonzalez continues to design environments where students can rebuild confidence, families can regain stability, and communities can thrive.
