2024 Symposium Presenters

Jax Chaudhry leads Project Invent, a national nonprofit that empowers youth with future ready mindsets for individual success and global impact, through invention. Originally from the Southside of Chicago, Jax loves working with students, families and partners to ensure every student can attain success as they define it. For more than 10 years, she has worked with elementary schools, high schools, education nonprofits and led regional teams and operations to ensure student success.

Srikanth Talapadi is the founder and CEO of Chimple, a non-profit and a Global Learning XPRIZE finalist, who has created a gamified app improving literacy and numeracy among children. His vision is that one day all children will be able to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic. Srikanth has adapted Chimple for India and other regions. He has worked globally to implement Chimple in schools. Srikanth has more than 30 years experience in software engineering and is also the CEO of Amiti Software, with an MS from Rutgers University.

Akshay Nagarajan is a cognitive scientist at the UC San Diego and his research interests span embodied learning, data literacy, and human-robot interaction. He works on Science of Music tools for introducing data literacy in low-income schools globally. His earlier work includes designing haptic simulators to teach vocational skills and developing neurosurgical devices and medical delivery drones. His work on impactful massive initiatives in India include introducing maker education in rural schools, and women’s empowerment initiatives.

I am 38 years of age, hold Masters degree in Educational Management since 2019. I have worked in the Ministry of Education and Training since 2012. I worked as an Assistant Administration officer until 2021 when I joined the Tertiary Department working as Manager Tertiary. Secretary to Higher Education Quality Assurance Committee and the Erasmus Plus National Focal point.

Dr. Lwidiko Mhamilawa (MD, PhD) is a co-founder of ProjeKt Inspire, focused on introducing a child-centred, project-based learning approach to STEM education for primary and secondary students in Tanzania. He has launched two major science centers and served as the Next Einstein Forum Ambassador (2017/2019). Recognized with the Point of Light Award in 2020, Dr. Mhamilawa is also a seasoned academic and medical scientist specializing in malaria research.

Erin Bown-Anderson, PhD, serves in the Program Management office of the N50 Project. She has 20+ years of service in education serving as a teacher, curriculum designer, professional learning supervisor, technology integration director and assistant superintendent for academics. She has her doctorate in School Improvement and uses design thinking and coaching to promote thoughtful and technical solutions for flexible, resilient systems.

Lorna has been in the education and technology sector for over 20 years. The prevailing thread through her work is people; she is happiest where her work is user-centred and/or community-led. She has a background in third sector growth, community development & engagement, user research, accessibility & usability and community support.She believes high quality, engaging and enriching educational experiences can make a significant impression on a young person for years to come.

Matt York, Executive Director of illuminAid and President of Videomaker.com, founded Videomaker Inc. nearly 40 years ago, which today teaches 250,000+ people annually how to create video. Driven by a passion for empowering developing communities, Matt launched illuminAid in 2008 to enable development practitioners to disseminate vital behavior change content in health, literacy, and farming and through video storytelling. Digital interventions across 30+ developing countries have helped improve education in the most rural areas in the world.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, receiving an BA from the University of Michigan and MBA from Loyola University. Using profits from my Seattle tech company, in 1994 I built a computer camp for at-risk youth on Mount Rainier, which became WildTech NGO in 2000. From 2007 to 2016 I led Technology for Development (ICT4D) at Save the Children and World Vision. In 2016 I returned to the WTA to become its Executive Director, bringing digital equity to the USA and around the world.

Mike Dawson is the CEO and co-founder of Ustad Mobile: an open-source offline-first learning management system that has been used in various countries by organizations including Voluntary Service Overseas, Dubai Cares, UNICEF, Save the Children, and others. He has been writing code for 24 years.

Carolina is a Managing Director at ideas42, where she leads the Global Development portfolio. She helps organizations in low- and middle-income countries use applied behavioral science to design solutions to various challenges, including those specific to education. She holds a Master’s in International and Development Economics from the University of San Francisco, and two Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Communications from the Pennsylvania State University.

Hi, I’m Caroline. As CEO of STEMlens Network and Travel Luxe Global, I juggle two ventures. At STEMlens, I inspire young minds in STEM, and at Travel Luxe Global, I craft luxurious travel experiences. I also serve as Liaison & STEM to Entrepreneurship Programs Director at StartUpAfrica, connecting budding entrepreneurs with STEM opportunities. I’m also a Senior Consultant at RCD Africa. Despite my busy schedule, I thrive on challenges and enjoy discovering new cultures. I am committed to making a difference through innovation and creativity.

Kaden Borseth (they/them) is an informal science educator with a passion for creating free and accessible content that focuses on inspiring students to take conservation action and make a positive impact on the world around them. They are currently the Manager of School and Teacher Learning at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Their work focuses on Conservation Classroom, virtual K-5 programs that work to inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Founder of the Hawaii Science & Technology Museum. HSTM serves 20,000 children annually with science camps, tutoring, rocketry, robotics and technology centers, traditional Hawaiian canoe carving, workforce development, and professional development.A 25-year veteran of the Hawaii Fire Department, served as Fire Captain during the 2018 Kilauea Volcanic Eruption, and on the Hawaii County COVID-19 Training and Education Task Force.Principal Investigator for the HSTM and Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory “Hiapo” CubeSat mission launched in 2021.

Dr. Priya Joshi is a senior researcher at the GEM Report, with core expertise on non-state actors in education and how education contributes to other sustainable development goals. She provides thematic expertise on diverse topics including gender equality, accountability, technology, and leadership. Recently, she has led the 2024 Climate change and Education SDG paper, coordinated the South Asia Regional report on Non-state Actors; and managed the GEM Report Fellows project. Her backgrounds are in education policy, public policy and economics.

Nick Sabato, Senior Director of Education for Humanity at Arizona State University, leads ASU’s efforts in extending educational access to refugees and communities affected by displacement around the world. He works alongside the UN Refugee Agency and humanitarian partners in developing collaborative programs that prepare refugee learners to meet their educational ambitions. His educational background includes an MA in International Relations from American University’s School of International Service and a BS from Miami University (OH).

Dr. Paik received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Science from Indiana University in 2005. She is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at San Francisco State University. Her research focuses on complex relations between children’s cognitive and socio-emotional development. She has experience implementing community-based educational and research programs across the world including U.S., China, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, France, Peru, and Netherlands.

Keil Eggers holds a PhD and BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and an M.A. of International Peace Studies from the UN-Mandated University for Peace. At the Carter School, he was the manager of the Peace Engineering Lab and developed narrative approaches His mission is to develop a complexity-informed conflict resolution methodology that helps people understand conflict through their own stories so they can take action and make better-informed decisions.

With over 22 years of teaching experience across university, secondary, and primary education levels, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of e-learning. My journey in education is enriched by my background as a former rugby player and coach, which has instilled in me the values of teamwork, resilience, and strategic thinking. In 2021, I was appointed as the eLearning Project Manager at Metro East Education District.

While a graduate student at MIT, Heather developed a vision for seeing hands-on learning environments manifest around the globe. Heather has lived in Ghana since 2016, where she founded and leads Practical Education Network (PEN) in the training of African STEM teachers to deploy experiential pedagogies. In that process, she has built a strong local team, who has infused low-cost, hands-on STEM content into the national curricula, and expanded the impact to thousands more teachers in Rwanda and Liberia.

Krista Davidson is an impact-focused leader based in Cape Town, South Africa with 8+ years of experience working in and with socially-driven African tech startups. She currently leads Injini, Africa’s EdTech Accelerator and Think Tank, where she has worked closely with the business leaders of over 100 EdTech companies operating all over Africa. With specific expertise in strategic leadership, programme design, business development and fundraising, Krista is passionate about education, technology, and entrepreneurship.

I am an elementary school mathematics teacher. An alumni of the 2-years Teach for Poland Edu-leadership Programme and Teach for All STEAM Leadership Team Member. I graduated Science and Finance and Accounting at The University of Warsaw in Poland, Public Administration and Planning at University of Seoul in South Korea. Before becoming a teacher, I worked for 10 years as a financial analyst at the Warsaw City Hall. I am the initiator and organizer of many school and community (STEAM) projects and professional conferences.

Dr. Renee Welch is a seasoned advocate for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and digital inclusion, boasting over two decades of experience in writing grants and incentives aimed at fostering innovation. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in encouraging investment in emerging technologies. At We Robotics and previously at Drone Grantology, she supports organizations in developing funding pathways to develop, expand, and scale their uncrewed systems technology products and services.

Eugene graduated with a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University. He has extensive experience leading high-impact social enterprises in South Africa and most recently co-founded Reflective Learning, an online platform which helps more than 80 000 students catch up their gaps in Maths understanding. He is passionate about delivering inclusive and quality education across South Africa and beyond.

Dr. Chris Wright is the cofounder and CEO of Early Family Math, a US nonprofit that aims to improve math education throughout the world during the first 8 years of a child’s life. Dr. Wright has a PhD in math from Stanford University and wrote a series of books for parents, Dr. Wright’s Kitchen Table Math. He has taught mathematics at all levels: helping elementary school students, teaching grades 7 to 12, and teaching at Duke University. He feels passionately that all families should play with math together and read with their young children.

Rebecca Lewis seeks to catalyze young people’s interest in STEM and connect classroom experiences with the world of work. Lewis leads initiatives that focus on engaging leaders from STEM industries, corporations, schools, and communities in collaborating to improve students’ outcomes.

TBD

Vanessa Lombardo is the Training and Learning Manager for Bookshare, an initiative of Benetech. Vanessa has worked in the disability field for over 17 years in various roles such as special education teacher, assistive technology specialist, director of programs, adjunct professor, and lead trainer. She is a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Practioner and holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Cincinnati.

Daniel Plaut is the Innovation Learning Lead at EdTech Hub and an Associate Director at Results for Development (R4D). His work focuses on supporting education system actors assess, reflect, learn and iterate on their programs to further their impact on education outcomes. He’s recently focused on teacher professional development, digital personalized learning, and EdTech for special educational needs and disabilities.

I am Ismael, Mayan Kaqchikel, I come from a rural community in Guatemala, a professional facilitator with active experience in training and development processes for young people in rural communities in Guatemala. I have more than 15 years of experience in the design and implementation of innovative development projects. youth in the Altiplano area of ​​the country, the most recent is Punto Crea.

Abdulhamid Haidar is the founder and CEO of Darsel, a global EdTech nonprofit focused on improving math outcomes in low- and middle-income countries through personalized learning chatbots.

Tony Llorente – from Nicaragua’s Bosawas Biosphere Reserve is managing an innovative educational technology project in BOSAWAS, which includes a Climate Change Education MOOC. Tony is an advocate for mother tongue education and the protection and preservation of indigenous lands, working to collect local histories and territorial data, as well as helping the territorial government gain more control over the land by creating local asset databases and digitizing traditional knowledge.

Amna Singh is the Senior Manager at StoryWeaver, Pratham Books’ digital initiative. Her work lies at the intersection of product and content & it involves drawing upon the best of technology, collaborations and open licensing to make sure that children can have uninterrupted access to the books they so richly deserve to read and enjoy. #RightToRead

Lilith Dollard is a global education specialist with over 14 years of experience in international children’s media. Her expertise and passion lie in developing education programs for families and children from active and post-conflict settings. She has trained and managed teams in educational content development, formative evaluation, and program implementation for a variety of Sesame Workshop’s international multimedia initiatives. Lilith holds an MA in International Education Development from Teachers College, Columbia University.

As the Founder and CEO of Resolute Education, I am driven by the challenges I observed while teaching mathematics in high school, where students struggled to bridge abstract concepts with real-world applications. My goal became ensuring equitable access to transformative, tech-based education. Under my leadership, Resolute’s innovative robotics and coding programs have impacted 150,000 students. I firmly believe education is a powerful tool to level the playing field, enabling students to ascend socially and make significant global impacts.