Board of Directors
Meet Our Board
Christopher Grabau, Board Chair
“As an educator, I believe one of my most important tasks is to find opportunities where technology can be used to help create inclusive, equitable, and dynamic learning experiences.”
Christopher Grabau, Ph.D., is an Instructional Developer for the Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning at Saint Louis University. With over 20 years-experience working in higher education, Grabau consults with faculty, graduate students and academic departments on instructional design elements, course design, and thoughtful uses of instructional technologies. Grabau holds an MA in Counseling and a Ph.D., in Education Foundations. His expertise and research often explores authentic uses of technology as well as humanistic teaching perspectives. Dr. Grabau has taught courses in Educational Psychology and has presented at national conferences on faculty development, course design strategies, and authentic teaching practices.
Carl Reed, Vice Chair
Carl Reed is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Lion Forge Comics, an award-winning graphic literature publisher.
In addition to his work on the publishing side of Lion Forge, he runs the creative services side of the company, Lion Forge Labs, where he directs the company’s efforts at exploring new industries and markets with an eye toward understanding the technology and business needs of each project and client.
Jane Vancil, Treasurer
Jane Vancil is the founder and CEO of IncentiLock. IncentiLock is a 2018 Arch Grants recipient and was named one of the 2018 Most Innovative Companies by Small Business Monthly. Jane advises startups through her role as a mentor and entrepreneur-in-residence with ITEN, a technology incubator in St. Louis for many years. Prior to founding IncentiLock, Jane spent 20 years in senior management with Fortune 500 companies, consulting firms, and startups. Her experience includes finance, corporate tax, mergers and acquisitions, and IT implementations.
Jane received her business degree from Fontbonne College (now University) in St. Louis. Speaks regularly on topics related to business tax credits and incentives, technology, and startups.
Sherita Haigler
“Innovation in elementary education helps to foster and grow the next generation of innovators and creators. That’s why it’s critically important that we as a community ensure the educational and technological gaps are removed, and all students can flourish and thrive equitably.”
Sherita Haigler serves as the Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at United Way of Greater St. Louis, where the mission is to: “Help People Live Their Best Possible Lives.” Sherita’s primary responsibility is to lead the internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts and ensure they align with the strategic plan of the organization. Sherita works in partnership with leadership and Human Resources to create an inclusive organizational environment where employees, volunteers, and investors of all genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, and orientations feel welcome and can flourish and contribute to United Way’s mission. Before joining UWGSL, Sherita served as the Director of STEMSTL, a non-profit STEM Learning Ecosystem that aims to ensure that all St. Louis area learners have equitable access to high-quality STEM learning and career opportunities.
Sherita also works as a facilitator for Diversity Awareness Partnership in its Give Respect Get Respect Program. Sherita holds a Masters and Bachelors of Business Administration from Fontbonne University, where she was an adjunct faculty member for the Options Program for many years. She has a vast amount of experience in Client Services, Account and Client Relationship Management, and Program/Project Management in the Telecommunications and Health Care industries. Sherita is a native of St. Louis.
Bill Kent
“I view the importance of educational innovation through two lenses. First, the rapid rate of global change dictates that educational institutions must evolve to remain relevant to their customers. Secondly, educational innovation can serve as a critical means to help schools create equitable opportunities for all children, especially those residing in under-resourced and under-represented communities.”
Bill Kent Jr., President and CEO, has led Youth Learning Center (YLC) since its inception. Recognizing that so many of the boys he grew up with did not have the family support he enjoyed and that many of those boys ended up in prison, Mr. Kent was moved to leave his business career and dedicate his professional life to improving academic and life outcomes of youth from under-resourced backgrounds. He applied his background in business management to directing the original YLC building project in 2010 and the 2015 renovation. He has also overseen the development of programming from an all-volunteer organization to the current organization providing STEAM education through outreach programs and eventually the founding of The Biome School in 2015. The Biome School is a new kind of K-8 school for the next generation – one that offers customized, project based and student-centered learning opportunities with an emphasis on growth mindset and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) education. The Biome charter school creates a balanced learning ecosystem in which teachers work together with students to cultivate a growth mindset as they discover their unique gifts, talents and interests. Mr. Kent earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Lindenwood University and joined Youth Learning Center after serving as a manager and career insurance underwriter with Reliable Insurance Company for 13 years.
Grace Lee
Dr. Grace Lee (she/her) is the Dean of Faculty at Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS), an independent school in St. Louis, Missouri. She is also the director of the Equity and Justice Academy in Character Education for Character Plus. Previously, she served as a school social worker, ELA teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Jennings, Parkway, Webster Groves and University City School Districts. In every aspect of school leadership, Dr. Lee brings her social work lens to her role as an educator. She works to create systems to ensure equity and access. The core of her beliefs centers on elevating student and teacher voices to leverage leadership to shift the educational landscape for change. Her work focuses on moving away from incentive based and punitive consequences that only perpetuate the school to prison pipeline but truly engage children as active, equal partners in upholding a school community that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose and recognition of self-worth.
Dr. Lee has presented across the region and country at various conferences around character education, restorative practices and racial equity. She has shared the outcome of her work and what a school looks like when students and teachers feel seen, heard and loved. She continues to reimagine school for children in her current educational home, empowering and supporting students and teachers. She hopes that everyone understands their worth and encourages people to walk unapologetically in their purpose.
Adam Scimone
“Finding new ways to use technology is part of what makes us human, but it doesn’t happen all on its own. Educators and children need support to ensure they have the creative space to be curious and discover how technology can facilitate learning that prepares us all for what’s next.”
Adam Scimone has been working in education since 2010. He began his work as a naturalist, focused on creating emotional connections with natural resources and later transitioned to science education in a classroom. Most recently he ran a middle school gifted program where he differentiated for the needs of unique learners that require more than a one-size-fits-all approach. He is a former Kirkwood School District Teacher of the Year, a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year, and a recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Education Award among others accolades. Adam has a BS in biology and chemistry from the University of Illinois and an M.Ed. in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri. He is passionate about empowering children and nurturing curiosity.
Tanya Yatzeck
“Unleashing the natural curiosity and talent of young people through technology in school models success for entrepreneurship and innovation in business.”
Tanya Yatzeck has been an IT Professional for over twenty years and is currently a Project Manager at Ameren. She has collaborated with and led information technology teams applied to utilities, public relations, advertising, financial services, retail, and nonprofits. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Tanya has served as a mentor to new and aspiring Project Managers as part of the PMI Mentorship Program as well as through internal programs at her organizations.
Tanya holds Master of Business Management and Master of Arts in Art History degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Beloit College. As a business student, she was inspired to explore innovation in the context of business development and began a freelance writing practice focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship in St. Louis. Prior to her IT career, Tanya taught Art History at University College and at UMSL.
Tanya believes that synergies reside in capturing the energy of the growing innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in St. Louis and applying it to schools. She also thinks that unleashing the natural curiosity and talent of young people through technology in school models success for entrepreneurship in business.