Meet Our Founders
Samiyah Siddiqui
Samiyah Siddiqui, CPA, is a finance and accounting professional and community leader with more than a decade of experience. She holds a B.S. in Actuarial Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Accounting from the University of Illinois Chicago. As President of the Butler School District 53 PTO and Treasurer of Women of Oak Brook, Samiyah has extensive experience bringing people, ideas, and resources together. Through Right Brain Roots, she combines thoughtful leadership, organization, and community collaboration to expand opportunities for children to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Adam Nicholson
Adam Nicholson is an educator, reading specialist, artist, and doctoral student with more than a decade of experience working with children. He holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Sculpture/Digital Art, an M.Ed. in Reading, and is pursuing an Ed.D. in Reading, Language, and Literacy with a focus on Linguistic Diversity and Equity. Adam specializes in connecting ideas across subjects and designing learning around individual children. Through Right Brain Roots, he combines literacy, the arts, STEAM, and inquiry-based learning around a simple belief: children learn best when their needs and interests intersect.
Alex Stombres
Alex Stombres is a music educator, department chair, conductor, and performer with more than a decade of experience working with students through music and the arts. He holds a B.A. in Music Education from Elmhurst University and an M.A. in Music Education from Ball State University. Throughout his career, Alex has focused on making music accessible, engaging, and meaningful for learners of all backgrounds. Through Right Brain Roots, he brings expertise in music, creativity, collaboration, and experiential learning to help children build confidence, discover their strengths, and find new ways to connect with themselves and the world around them.