Story & Lesson Highlights with Dorota Mani of Jersey City

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dorota Mani. Check out our conversation below.

Dorota, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
As the founder of ALBRICH Academy with over 122 students, which I established 15 years ago to create a nurturing and inspiring environment for my own children, and countless others, I find every day to be a vibrant adventure filled with joy and pride.

When I step into the school, I’m greeted like a rock star by our students, their enthusiasm bubbling over as they share stories about their weekends, birthdays, travels, or their unwavering love for the color pink. Their heartfelt concern when I forget my makeup, asking if I’m sick, or their sweet compliments, calling me a princess when I wear a dress, never fail to make me laugh and warm my heart.

I’m especially proud when they rush to show me their latest mental math exercises, beaming with accomplishment, or excitedly read from a new book donated by a local author. These moments, brimming with laughter, pride, and connection, reaffirm my commitment to fostering a community at ALBRICH Academy where curiosity, creativity, and compassion thrive, inspiring both the students and myself every single day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Building on my journey as the founder of ALBRICH Academy, my passion for empowering young minds extends beyond the classroom through a tapestry of ventures that blend education, technology, and social impact. With a Master of Science from Pratt Institute, I’ve launched initiatives like Learn Sphere AI to equip educators with innovative tools, ALBRICH Academy to expand early learning, and Design by Mani to create inspiring spaces. As a board member for Alecto and the Governor’s Commission on Social Media’s Effects on Youth, I advocate for ethical innovation and women’s entrepreneurship. Right now, I’m collaborating with Homelend Security on their Ethical AI campaign to promote responsible AI practices at a national level, while partnering with AI ecosystem experts on AI literacy programs for K-12 schools, under American AI Center of Excellence, ensuring the next generation navigates technology with curiosity and conscience.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world’s expectations shaped my path, I was an inquisitive soul, captivated by the belief that life is a canvas for art and meaning, woven through discovery and creation. I saw myself as the artist of my own existence, curating my travels, home, friendships, music, and books with intention—choosing colors and textures that sparked joy.

My trusting heart embraced everyone, fueled by curiosity and a love for learning. Over time, the world taught me to question authority, cross-reference facts, and form my own truths. It also revealed that not all intentions are pure, and that openness can be mistaken for weakness.

Yet I’ve learned that selectivity is self-preservation, rooted in integrity and respect. Today, I remain that curious, creative spirit, unchanged at my core but wiser, surrounded by fewer trusted companions and more animals, whose honesty inspires me to keep crafting a life filled with purpose, meaning, and innovation.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That is such a good question but so many answers! If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I’d say: your kindness is a strength, so give it boundaries. Stay endlessly curious, and guard your peace. Pick the rooms that stretch you, not just the ones that applaud you. And measure success by the light you spark in others. And yes, I know, it’s not one sentence. But that’s me: curious, chatty, and still learning every step of the way.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I stand on the shoulders of borrowed brilliance, driven by a passion for biographies that reveal the power of progressive growth: show up daily, learn from mistakes, and persist with courage, just as Winston Churchill urged, “When you’re going through hell, keep going.” I adapt proven ideas to spark innovation in my own work, finding inspiration in the success of others, which often kindles new possibilities. Biographies remind me that extraordinary success comes from identifying a unique niche, crafting purposeful solutions, and embracing the tools of cutting-edge technology to bring them to life.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had ten years to live, I’d change nothing. My life is a canvas painted with what matters most. My days weave meaningful work with cherished moments alongside my children, family, and animals. Fall brings hikes and rides; summer, beach walks and travel with my dogs. Spring invites reading by open windows, serenaded by rain and birds, while winter warms with fireside evenings. At 46, I’ve roamed every continent, explored great museums, devoured inspiring books, and watched my daughters blossom into kind, ambitious young women. Inspired by stories of resilience, I’ve crafted a life of purpose and joy, iteratively refined, perfectly mine.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
The only picture that I did not took, is the one from the signing of TAKE it DOWN by President Trum, which we received from the White house.

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