New York, New York, United States
I’m a senior executive, founder, and lifelong champion for educational progress with a deep commitment to unlocking opportunity for all children, especially those farthest from it. I’ve led innovative programs and policy efforts at the intersection of early learning, K-12 education, emerging technologies, and media. I’ve worked across sectors—from the White House and City Hall to foundations, startups, and social impact funds—to scale what works, shape public discourse, and help build a future where every child can thrive. My work spans: Advising start-up founders, public and private sector leaders on learning innovation and family policy Driving equity-focused initiatives inside mission-driven companies and philanthropic organizations Amplifying research and storytelling to move hearts and minds Co-authoring Tap, Click, Read and publishing 50+ pieces on tech, literacy, early learning, civics and equity Serving on boards committed to social impact and inclusive innovation Named one of the U.S.’s most influential leaders in family policy by Working Mother, I bring both systems-level insight and hands-on implementation chops. Let’s Connect I’m especially interested in partnering with people and organizations working at the nexus of education, media, technology, and "gap-closing." If you’re building bold solutions, leading change, or simply curious to collaborate—drop me a note. I’d love to learn more about your work.
Serve as strategic adviser and mentor to founder, Dr Vikki Katz of Or Initiative at Chapman University. I am leading communications, partnership development and convening the National Advisory Board. Or represents a new youth forward, assets-centered approach to deepening understanding of complex socio-political issues. The research, design and curriculum focused work is devoted to unpacking “tough topics” for secondary school and college students. Its initial focus is on teaching youth to deepen skills, knowledge and dispositions around the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the rising incidence of polarization, bigotry and intolerance in the United States. Or Initiative will launch in February 2026 with a program that includes: —A mixed methods line of school and OST-based research with students and educators —A suite of curriculum and learning tools to help make classrooms “counterweights” to the online “rage baiting” culture. Or will explore and leverage youth affinity to immersive tech as a key asset to discourse, not a deficit -Fellowships and a collaborative community for creators, technologists and educators to co-design new tech that will drive civil discourse and deepen, not hollow out, human relationships —Convenings and thought leadership programs to connect leaders across research, education, philanthropy, tech and policy.
Senior adviser to Founders and Team on their gap closing, impact investing, sector growth leadership work. My work focuses on advising start-ups, encouraging more rigorous outcomes measurement for the field, partnership initiatives and communications
Chief of learning and impact at Noggin, Paramount's early learning and family engagement platform. Lead content briefings, impact research, partnerships, and social good strategies. Directed Covid-19 response including innovative philanthropic and educational impact initiatives serving over 100K families in need. Co-lead Noggin’s D&I work to become industry leader in content, talent and partnerships. Author of numerous industry and parent-facing briefs, appear as organizational press spokesperson in US and global markets.
With CEO established office focused on early childhood R&D, talent development, and policy leadership. ❋ Built partnerships with academic, think tank, and policy/public affairs organizations to advance children’s education and technology programs within underserved communities. ► Cutting-Edge Research: Co-Designed and authored major national study: Identity Matters focused on the social development of young children (ages 3-11). In partnership with Harvard Center on Media and Child Health, initiated research design and fundraising strategy for first-of-its-kind global longitudinal decade-long study measuring the impact of digital media on learning and health outcomes (Growing Up Digital). ► Innovation: Co-founded with Omidyar Network and Promise Venture Studio, Early Futures, a national accelerator for 50+ start-up ventures dedicated to scaling early learning innovations. ► Public Policy: Led Workshop’s groundbreaking work to ensure that young children are not undercounted in the 2020 Census. Prepared expert briefs and testified before Members of Congress and Executive Branch. Focal areas: digital equity, early learning, health promotion, and innovation.
Founded research and development institute (a new division for the company) devoted to accelerating young children’s learning through the integration of proven and promising educational technologies. Led strategic and program development, fundraising, media outreach, policy-oriented research, and public events. Built team of policy, grant, and R&D professionals from the ground up. Reported to CEO and board Chair. ❋ Launched first non-academic organization to address via R&D, the digital media landscape’s impact on children to inform education/health professional standards and drive FCC regulations/national legislation. ► Transformative Research: Developed more than 4 dozen leading-edge research reports analyzing the impact of mobile media (apps), immersive media, and video games on learning and developmental milestones. ► Innovation: Increased endowment by 2.5X, capturing tens of millions of dollars in funding from major philanthropies, private donors, and corporations to fuel programming strategies, including R&D, design competitions, policy institutes, and talent development programs. ► Thought Leadership: Co-authored critically acclaimed, Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers to help educators, parents, and policy leaders tackle the challenges of early literacy development. Provided expert testimony at White House Conferences, through conference keynotes and media appearances.
Fellow in the prestigious Pahara-Aspen program for leaders in educational equity and innovation. Program included seminars, deep study and project with New Profit to establish $10M Early Learning Fund. Renewing ties with Aspen to focus on climate action in 2024 and beyond as Founding member of Institute's Planet Media Working Group to connect creators, communications experts and climate scientists in creating effective media content for kids