“Technology is a permanent and important part of everyone’s life. As an educator I have a duty to ensure that every student in every school has the opportunity to explore its potential and use it effectively and that every teacher has the capacity to make this possible.”
My career as a teacher began in 1978 working in a large comprehensive high school in South East England as a teacher of history predominantly, but over the years I also taught French, sociology, sex and health education, and physical education.
Having gained my Master’s degree from the University of London, I moved from the classroom into school administration becoming the principal of a high school close to the South East of London. After working in that position for seven years it was time for a change. I moved to Myanmar to become the founding principal of an international school for 3 to 18 year old in Yangon.
I returned to school to complete my doctorate at Maryville University where I now work as an assistant professor of education teaching graduate students who aspire to be principals and superintendents. Whilst I have enjoyed all of the aspects and roles in my career, this current position is just fabulous.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”CAROL NELSON, VICE CHAIR” tab_id=”1477357277087-13a5892d-c7ee”][vc_column_text]
“Inspiring the Engineers and Scientists of tomorrow.”
Carol Nelson is the K-12 Project Manager of Education Relations for Boeing. In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing strategies for K-12/STEM outreach. She is responsible for establishing relationships with local high schools and middle schools, collaborating with School administration and community partners on K-12/STEM related event opportunities, engaging Boeing personnel in support of these relationships, and acting as the coordinator and integrator for current and future engagements with local schools. The primary focus is on developing student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and educating these students on opportunities within Boeing and the Aerospace Industry.
Nelson, who joined the Company in 2007, has worked in Boeing’s Global Services & Support HR organization and also served an administrative role in Future Combat Systems. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Lindenwood University and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”JANE VANCIL, TREASURER” tab_id=”1554320609738-d85823ae-8844″][vc_column_text]
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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”RAVEN AKRAM, SECRETARY” tab_id=”1477356833897-e7a15b80-1706″][vc_column_text]
“Creativity and innovation must be nurtured and celebrated to give children every opportunity to develop and succeed!”
Raven Akram is a practicing attorney on Macy’s Law Department’s in-house litigation team. In this role, Raven handles a variety of legal business litigation matters on behalf of Macy’s and its affiliates. Raven also serves on Macy’s Diversity Council, which is dedicated to enhancing diversity in the legal profession. Prior to joining Macy’s, Raven was in private practice at a law firm where she counseled and defended small businesses, restaurants, hotels, and municipalities in a variety of civil rights matters. Raven also served as chair of the firm’s Charitable Efforts Foundation and was an active member of the diversity committee and women’s forum.
Raven earned her Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of law and her Bachelors of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University. While earning her J.D., Raven won the Best Advocate Award in the Midwest Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition and she was awarded the St. Louis University School of Law Volunteer of the Year Award for Excellence in Public Service. In 2013, Missouri Lawyers Weekly honored Raven in the category of “Rising Star” at its annual Women’s Justice Awards. In 2011, Raven was honored by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of St. Louis’s top 30 Under 30 up and coming business professionals.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”CHRISTOPHER GRABAU” tab_id=”1573676087342-507c7295-6bae”][vc_column_text]
“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.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”SHERITA HAIGLER” tab_id=”1588002437299-ee03a622-b744″][vc_column_text]
“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 M. HAIGLER serves as the Vice President, Diversity 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.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”BILL KENT” tab_id=”1587399211506-b5d0b6ed-3817″][vc_column_text]
“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.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”CARL REED” tab_id=”1477357302272-00d2ad0f-7854″][vc_column_text]
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.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”CHERYL WATKINS-MOORE” tab_id=”1477357248613-a28093d8-bcba”][vc_column_text]
“Changing the world, one child at a time.”
Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore is the Founder and CEO of a young start-up company, UPstart Innovations, LLC, a medical technology development organization. At UPstart, “we collaborate with medical professionals, researchers, and offices of technology management to develop and translate novel, next generation life science concepts into fundable, market-ready product and service businesses. Previously, Cheryl served as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) with BioGenerator, a private investment firm created by BioSTL to identify promising technologies/services and facilitate the formation of successful, sustainable life science companies in the St. Louis, MO region. Cheryl has identified and provided mentoring as well as due diligence to early stage organizations with unique technologies in various markets such as asthma, cancer, rehabilitation and physical therapy markets, raising initial capital funding. She has also served as a judge in several local and national business plan competitions including Washington University’s Skandalaris’ Business Plan Competition, Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest National Tour (St. Louis) and Global Startup Weekend HEALTH:Bio (St. Louis).
Cheryl holds a Masters of Business Management from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts, Biology from Fisk University. She is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, earning her degree from Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine. She has led marketing teams that have won several awards for marketing innovations, including the American Marketing Association highest award, The Award of Excellence and The Bronze Quill award. She is a Board of Trustees Member, Academy of Science–St. Louis; Board Member, Prosper Institute, Prosper Women Entrepreneurs; Advisory Board Member, BALSA Foundation; Advisor Board Member, HealthyMe Mobile Solutions; Board Member Youth Learning Center; Advisory STEM Board Member, Harris-Stowe State University and is active in the St. Louis, MO chapter of Jack and Jill of America.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”TANYA YATZECK” tab_id=”1508510816673-9313e702-6b0e”][vc_column_text]
“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 nearly twenty years and is currently a Project Manager at Spire Inc (formerly Laclede Gas). She has collaborated with and led information technology teams applied to public relations, advertising, financial services, retail, and non-profits. 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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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