Adriana’s mornings are a whirlwind of joy, braiding Angelina’s hair, helping Alison pack for a Girl Scout outing, and cuddling with Ariana over a storybook. “My girls are my world,” she says, her eyes sparkling with pride. At their cozy Inwood home, blueprints for butterfly gardens mingle with AI-generated drawings, a testament to a family that lives and breathes creativity. Keith, her partner in every sense, calls her “our north star,” marveling at her ability to nurture their daughters while leading community change. Gianni, connected from Costa Rica, credits her mother’s encouragement for her own bold path: “Mom showed me how to dream big and give back.” Adriana’s mission is clear: to give her daughters a life rich with purpose, learning, and connection. As a troop leader for the Inwood Girl Scouts, she guides Angelina, Alison, and their friends through nature hikes and leadership lessons. On the Dos Amigos Elementary School Parent Council, she champions quality education for all. “I want my girls to grow up knowing they can change the world,” she says, her voice warm with conviction. Saving Monarchs, Healing Hearts Adriana’s journey as a community hero began with a passion for the endangered monarch butterfly, whose delicate wings inspired her and Keith to co-found the Inwood Butterfly Sanctuary. This urban oasis of milkweed and wildflowers, now a global model for conservation, supports monarchs on their perilous migration. “Without these plants, monarchs could vanish,” Adriana explains, tending to vibrant orange butterfly weed with her daughters by her side. “We’re teaching our kids—and our city—how small acts can save something precious.” The sanctuary’s “Save Monarch Butterflies” campaign has rallied Inwood, with Adriana leading community planting days and Girl Scout projects to create pollinator pathways across NYC. Her environmental work dovetails with her stewardship of ArtAID, a collection Keith launched post-9/11 to aid recovery through art. Managing ArtAID, Adriana ensures its legacy of healing endures, reflecting her deep commitment to community resilience. “It’s about showing our girls that we can mend what’s broken,” she says, watching Alison release a monarch into the sanctuary’s blooms. Shaping Tomorrow: iGentix AI and Young Minds Adriana’s vision soars beyond nature to the frontier of education. As co-founder of iGentix AI, she and Keith, a computer science expert, are revolutionizing learning through their “Generative Learning” program at Dos Amigos, where they both teach. This STEM AI curriculum introduces kids—including Angelina, Alison, and Ariana—to generative AI, empowering them to create art, analyze data, and even dream up ways to protect monarchs. “AI is a tool for good if we guide it right,” Adriana says. “I want my daughters to shape the future, not fear it.” The iGentix AI Curriculum, piloted at Dos Amigos and eyed by schools like School in the Square, balances innovation with caution. Adriana tackles AI’s challenges—plagiarism risks, equity gaps, and teacher readiness—head-on, advocating for ethical use, accessible tools, and new assessments like oral presentations. “We can’t let AI widen divides,” she insists. “Every child deserves a chance to learn with it.” Her daughters’ excitement, buzzing about AI projects at the dinner table, fuels her drive. “Seeing them light up is my greatest reward,” she shares. A Community’s Champion, A Mother’s Legacy Adriana’s days are a masterclass in balance: leading Girl Scout troops, teaching AI classes, planting milkweed, and cheering at her daughters’ school events. Her infectious energy unites Inwood, from sanctuary workdays to parent council meetings. “Adriana makes everyone feel like family,” says a Dos Amigos parent. Her home, alive with the girls’ laughter and plans for NYC-wide AI and conservation initiatives, reflects a life dedicated to impact. As twilight falls over the Inwood Butterfly Sanctuary, Adriana stands with Angelina, Alison, and Ariana, monarchs fluttering around them. “This is for them,” she says softly, “a world where they can thrive.” From saving an endangered species to pioneering AI education, Adriana DeCesare is a mother whose love transforms everything she touches. People celebrates her as Mother of the Year, a shining example of how one woman’s heart can spark a movement, leaving a legacy that will soar for generations.
