Bernadette Pello
Founder, Livingstone Academy
| Education Trailblazer | Community Builder
"If we’re not making an impact, we’re wasting our precious time".
My Story
Bernadette Pello is a powerhouse in education, workforce development, and community impact. As the Co-CEO and Founder of Livingstone Academy, Florida Trade Academy, and Signature Education Management Services (SEMS), she’s built a transformative ecosystem that supports students with unique abilities and prepares job-seekers for meaningful careers.
What began in 2003 as a leap of faith with her husband, Chris, has become a pioneering model in the state of Florida. Livingstone Academy serves students with specific learning disabilities a personalized, nurturing environment where every child has a chance to thrive. Florida Trade Academy, launched in 2020, meets the growing demand for skilled workers with hands-on training and registered apprenticeship programs. SEMS, their latest venture, empowers other private schools with strategic consulting and full-service management.
With roots in New York and a journey that took shape in Florida, Bernadette transitioned from corporate America to entrepreneurship while navigating the early stages of motherhood. Over the years, she’s become a cornerstone of her community, known for her fierce dedication to vulnerable populations and belief in purpose-driven leadership.
She balances her many hats with grace, education reformer, award-winning business leader, family matriarch, and nature lover. Whether she’s building impactful school models or planting in her backyard, Bernadette believes in growth, in all its forms.
What makes her the happiest?
Spending time with her husband Chris, her son Michael and his wife Brandy, and close friends. She also finds joy in cooking, laughing, and watching wildlife just beyond her fence.
What advice would she give her younger self?
Take a chance, invest in yourself, don’t worry about failing, and walk into every room like you belong.
