O'Shaughnessy Ventures Backs Educator Building Children's Confidence Through Art

Allison Paradise receives an O'Shaughnessy Fellowship to create an online certification course for teachers.

GREENWICH, Conn., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- O'Shaughnessy Ventures LLC (OSV), an investment firm that empowers creators, has awarded an O'Shaughnessy Fellowship to Allison Paradise, an educator and nonprofit founder based in Los Angeles.

Paradise will use the fellowship to establish the Consciousness Education Certification, an online course that equips K-12 teachers to develop children's curiosity, creativity, compassion and connection. Paradise's approach, drawn from her background in neuroscience, pairs visual art, writing, dance and music with reflection and time outdoors. She has refined this approach through Art. You. Powerful., a classroom program she created and has taught in public schools. In an evaluation by The Epicenter, the nonprofit she founded, students in the program reported greater confidence, lower anxiety and stronger peer connections. Over the next 12 months, she plans to certify 100 teachers, aiming to reach more than 2,000 children.

Paradise is the CEO of The Epicenter, which works to improve the mental health and well-being of children and teenagers. She previously founded My Green Lab, a nonprofit working to reduce the environmental impact of scientific research. There, she created the Green Lab Certification, a sustainability standard now used by laboratories in more than 60 countries and adopted by the U.N.-backed Race to Zero campaign as a measure of progress. She holds a master's degree in neuroscience from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Brown University.

OSV's founder and CEO, Jim O'Shaughnessy, commented, "I've long argued that our education system was built for a world that no longer exists. Allison's work prepares young people for the one they actually live in. We're delighted to call her a fellow."

"The potential of this project now feels limitless," said Paradise. "Receiving an O'Shaughnessy Fellowship will accelerate and amplify the impact of my work to improve the holistic well-being of youth in ways I only imagined before."

About the O'Shaughnessy Fellowships Program

Launched in 2023, the O'Shaughnessy Fellowships program discovers and empowers the world's boldest creatives, builders and researchers. Fellows receive a grant of up to $100,000 and gain access to OSV's network of founders, investors and experts.

Paradise is the twenty-first fellow announced in 2026. More information about previous fellows is available at OSV's website.

Applications for the O'Shaughnessy Fellowships are now closed and will reopen on Jan. 1, 2027. Individuals interested in applying can do so via OSV's website.

About O'Shaughnessy Ventures

OSV is a creative investment firm that empowers creators to bring their ideas to life. Founded by Jim O'Shaughnessy, a pioneer in quantitative investing, founder of O'Shaughnessy Asset Management, and author of five books, OSV aims to provide financial support and to partner in growing the next life-changing creative ideas.

OSV combines Jim's deeply rooted interest in all things art, science, investing and technology with his long-held desire to establish scenarios designed to help promising creators and their inspiring ideas succeed, regardless of age, location, job history or level of education. For more information, visit OSV's website.

Media Contact:
Ena Gong
O'Shaughnessy Ventures LLC
(917) 355-7420
[email protected]

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SOURCE O'Shaughnessy Ventures