People

Deborah Acklin

Deborah Acklin

Public television proponent, children’s media champion, life changer
Tom Akiva

Tom Akiva

Researching Out-of-School Time, understanding adolescent motivation
Emmai Alaquiva

Emmai Alaquiva

Educating through hip hop, producing music, inspiring creativity
Vincent Aleven

Vincent Aleven

Computer scientist, learning entrepreneur, designing cognitive tutors
Gerry Balbier

Gerry Balbier

Spark decision-maker, connecting Pittsburghers to the rivers
Jeff Baron

Jeff Baron

Engaging students through The Consortium for Public Education
Gregg Behr

Gregg Behr

Champion for Kidsburgh, leading grantmaker, Grable Foundation director
Larry Berger

Larry Berger

Youth Media Mentor, Voice of Saturday Light Brigade
Lucas Blair

Lucas Blair

Game designer, educator, creating interactive learning experiences
Leanne Bowler

Leanne Bowler

Information science, media literacy, expanding the role of the library
Jeremy Boyle

Jeremy Boyle

Musician, artist, empowering kids one screwdriver at a time
Lisa Brahms

Lisa Brahms

Education researcher, informal learning expert, creating authentic experiences
Justin Brown

Justin Brown

Supporting teachers and students, musician, advocate
Melissa Butler

Melissa Butler

Kindergarten Teacher, Poet & Author, Inspiring Young Innovators
Rita Catalano

Rita Catalano

Childhood expert, Kids+Creativity leader, Fred Rogers Center director
Tracy Certo

Tracy Certo

Pop City editor and publisher, showing how Pittsburgh is moving forward
Tim Cook

Tim Cook

Redefining higher education, combining theory with real-world practice
Ryan Coon

Ryan Coon

Coordinating documentation, promoting people and projects, telling stories
Linda Croushore

Linda Croushore

Advocate, fundraiser, founder of The Consortium for Public Education
Kevin Crowley

Kevin Crowley

Igniting learning experiences in informal environments
Dave Culyba

Dave Culyba

Programmer of emotional robots, computer scientist
Drew Davidson

Drew Davidson

Game designer, interactivity guru, director of Carnegie Mellon ETC
Felicia Davis

Felicia Davis

White water rafter, outdoor adventurer, parent, committed volunteer
Teresa DeFlitch

Teresa DeFlitch

Urban experience, community-based learning, context and content
Jim Denova

Jim Denova

Regional grantmaker, Pittsburgh & West Virginia, Benedum Foundation VP
Ernie Dettore

Ernie Dettore

Education researcher, early childhood expert, pioneer of play
Dave English

Dave English

Imaginative animator, puppeteer, arts educator, one half of The Schmutz Co.
Michelle Figlar

Michelle Figlar

Early childhood champion, leader in learning standards, dedicated advocate
Teresa Foley

Teresa Foley

Social practice artist, media literacy educator, local focus
Gary Gardiner

Gary Gardiner

Incubating innovation, entertaining educating, Idea Foundry manager
Norton Gusky

Norton Gusky

Technology for empowerment, education, and communities
Mk Haley

Mk Haley

Merging technology and design, education and industry, research
Matt Hannigan

Matt Hannigan

Spreadsheet samurai, decisionmaking geek, Sprout co-founder
Linda Hippert

Linda Hippert

AIU Administrator, coordinating 42 school districts, Kids+Creativity leader
Susan Howard

Susan Howard

Media literacy, film-making, self expression for young people
Mac Howison

Mac Howison

Catalytic support expert, project mentor, Sprout funding manager
Kris Hupp

Kris Hupp

Expanding a multimedia broadcasting program for students
Rosanne Javorsky

Rosanne Javorsky

Former special education teacher, Ph.D. student, educational strategist
Todd Keruskin

Todd Keruskin

Assistant superintendent, improving teaching and learning
Ashley Kidd

Ashley Kidd

Aquarist, SCUBA professional, coral reef advocate
Maxwell King

Maxwell King

Journalist turned philanthropist, Fred Rogers biographer, education advocate
Michael Knight

Michael Knight

Creating robots with personality, software engineer, CTO at Interbots
Lyn Krynski

Lyn Krynski

Volunteer extraordinaire, former Pace School director, Kidsburgh editor
Carl Kurlander

Carl Kurlander

Screenwriter, Pittsburgh champion, Steeltown Entertainment founder
Paula Levin

Paula Levin

Storyteller, mad scientist, offering laboratory for curiosity and creativity
Junlei Li

Junlei Li

Spark decision-maker, connecting research to educational practice
Ken Lockette

Ken Lockette

Global conversation starter, media arts promoter, high school principal
Derek Lomas

Derek Lomas

Mobile game designer, serving the under-served, Playpower co-founder
Marti Louw

Marti Louw

Informal learning initiatives, interactive design master, UPCLOSE researcher
Matthew Luskey

Matthew Luskey

Improving writing in schools, enhancing learning through collaboration
Heather Mallak

Heather Mallak

Multimedia artist, informal educator, DML Competition winner
Don Marinelli

Don Marinelli

Chief Creative, ETC co-founder, manic maker, intercontinental super star
Patrick McShea

Patrick McShea

Natural History, collaborative education, managing loan program
Eben Myers

Eben Myers

Game designer, ETC alumnus, Spark Advisory Committee member
Enrico Nardini

Enrico Nardini

Lover of all things game and geek, elementary school scientist
Nikki Navta

Nikki Navta

Digital learning evangelist, transforming textbooks, president of Zulama
Illah Nourbakhsh

Illah Nourbakhsh

Community-oriented roboticist, electric car gearhead, CREATE Lab director
Adam Nye

Adam Nye

Do-It-Yourselfer, inspiring future innovators, MakeShop Manager
Don Orkoskey

Don Orkoskey

Professional photographer, information architect, one half of The Schmutz Co
Aileen Owens

Aileen Owens

Blending computation and creativity, bringing tech to the classroom
Seema Patel

Seema Patel

Creating interactive characters, using robots for expression and imagination
Elizabeth Perry

Elizabeth Perry

Tech-savvy artist, extending learning, bridging classroom and community
Kristin Rama

Kristin Rama

Oversees Allegheny County youth initiatives and libraries
Michael Robb

Michael Robb

Education researcher, Early Learning Environment, Fred Rogers Center
Bart Rocco

Bart Rocco

Superintendent, providing educational activities for students
Sandra Hartkopf

Sandra Hartkopf

Catalytic support, project consultation, Spark funding program assistant
Angela Seals

Angela Seals

Museum educator, artist wrangler, MakeShop Show producer
Hedda Sharapan

Hedda Sharapan

Early childhood veteran, speaker and writer, good neighbor
Robin Shoop

Robin Shoop

Computer scientist, robotics ringleader, CS2N creator
Eric Singer

Eric Singer

Robot wrangler, music maker, pyrotechnic practitioner
Beth Snyder

Beth Snyder

Using hip-hop to educate, empowering youth, shooting for the moon
Carolyn Speranza

Carolyn Speranza

Media installation, public art, engaging community, putting the P in Projects
Jennifer Stancil

Jennifer Stancil

Multimedia integrator, implementer of new ideas, digital literacy crusader
Dustin Stiver

Dustin Stiver

Community engagement ace, Ph.D. candidate, Network services guru
Sarah Tambucci

Sarah Tambucci

Advocate for the arts, thought leader, putting the A in STEAM
Jane Werner

Jane Werner

Cultural ambassador, optimist, Children's Museum director
Dr. Alice Wilder

Dr. Alice Wilder

Children’s TV expert, Grable Fellow, Blues Clues & Super Why! co-creator
Corey Wittig

Corey Wittig

Digital learning developer, teen mentor, future-proofing the library,
Dr. Todd Wolynn

Dr. Todd Wolynn

Pediatrician, breastfeeding expert, building 21st century practice
Joe Wos

Joe Wos

Cavalier cartoonist, sensational storyteller, Toonseum director
Dror Yaron

Dror Yaron

Community Connector, Gigapan Photographer, Face of the CREATE Lab