Our team
Hello there, it’s nice to meet you!

Alex Vélez
Senior Full-Stack Engineer
Ecuador

Alex Vélez
I'm Alex Vélez, a Full Stack Engineer at LE. I help build different products to make education more accessible for everyone.
Before joining LE, I questioned my purpose in coding, aspiring for more than just enriching other people. Since joining LE, I've found fulfillment in writing code for positive social impact. Additionally, I organize the Google Developers Groups (GDG) of Guayaquil, where we volunteer to educate the community on technology.
Off the clock, I'm a tiny adult pretending to be a functional one. I love cats and algorithms; I am a chess player by passion, an introvert by birth, and an overthinker par excellence. Sarcasm is my favorite form of communication, but only with trusted people.

Anna French
Digital Storytelling & Communications Manager
USA

Anna French
Hi, I'm Anna, a multi-media digital storyteller with international work experience in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Peru, Australia, and the U.S. I'm passionate about promoting human rights, social justice and sustainability through honest storytelling.
I've spent 10+ years working with women, children, and people with learning disabilities in underserved communities through global health and education initiatives, as well as on a rural grassroots legislative campaign. I've earned an M.A. in International Development from the University of Sydney and a B.A. in Sustainability with a focus on Society and a Minor in Global Health from Arizona State University.
I live and work remotely from Colorado where I'm learning how to raise chickens and grow food in hydroponic vertical gardens.

Blaine Jester
Staff Full-Stack Software Engineer
USA

Blaine Jester
I'm Blaine, a Staff Full-Stack Software Engineer at LE. I'm a San Diego native who loves Physics, programming, and the web. I graduated with a degree in Applied Physics from CSU San Marcos.
I began doing web development in 2008, and have continued ever since. My enthusiasm for constant improvement was established through my college experiences, as a Learning Assistant, and my 7 years developing TakeLessons.com.
In my free time, I play games of any kind, look at doggo pics and memes, and experiment with cooking (not very good at it).

Carine Diaz
Communications & Creative Director
USA

Carine Diaz
Hi! I'm Carine, Learning Equality's Director of Communications. I have a Bachelor's degree in Media & Communications with a major in French Studies and a minor in Film from the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Curious by nature, my life path has been particularly winding. Before Learning Equality, I worked across various roles in Print and Digital Media, TV, Radio and Film, shifted to Marketing and Branding in Fashion, and also had a PR business. I place a very high value on justice and have a strong belief that education is the way to not only a purposeful life but more importantly, to a more equitable and just society. I also have a love of languages, learned how to speak four, and became a Certified Translator, which comes in handy as I lead our internationalization efforts, and contribute to the LATAM work at LE.
I'm a cat mamma and feel like I too have had nine lives: I’ve lived in 5 cities across four continents, became a Certified Integrative Nutrition Coach and will soon be a Pilates Instructor. When not at work, my passions include but are hardly limited to traveling to faraway places, film buffery, watching sporting events, dancing, and optimistic-but-so-far-failed attempts at becoming a good singer. I also know the words to more 80's and 90's cheesy tunes than I'd like to admit.

David Cañas
Lead Site Reliability Engineer
USA

David Cañas
I am a software engineer, currently focused on managing our team's cloud infrastructure. My recent projects aim to improve the developer experience and online stability of Kolibri and many of Learning Equality's other products.
I've contributed to our work in various capacities, having progressed from a design intern to a UI-focused software engineer, and settled into my current role after recognizing the interesting design problems inherent to the distributed architectures I work on today. I earned degrees in Human-Computer Interaction and Computer Science at UC San Diego, where I first got to know the team. After developing my skills in problem-solving and User-Centered Design, I try to carry these methodologies into all of my work—no matter how much technical gibberish is involved. Learning Equality's commitment to equity in education aligns with my belief in lifelong learning and fosters the desire for justice I developed as a child of immigrant parents. I'm honored to work with the brilliant friends I've made here and look forward to furthering our mission in any way I can.
Outside the office, I'm usually neck-deep in some kind of story: I thirst for the immersion offered by books, games, movies, and podcasts. I love exploring—whether it's the city's latest offerings or the the local wildlife reserve. I've also been known to obsessively research bizarrely mundane subjects, making me an unreliable resource for fun facts.

Hugo Nevarez
Financial Operations Manager
USA

Hugo Nevarez
Hi! I’m Hugo, Financial Operations Manager at Learning Equality. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango in Mexico and have more than eight years of experience managing financial operations for mission-driven organizations. I’m passionate about work that advances equity, expands access, and creates meaningful impact.
Before joining Learning Equality, I worked with nonprofits of different sizes and stages, where I came to believe that while programs are the heart of an organization, finance and fundraising are its backbone, essential for sustainability and growth. I take pride in the role that finance plays in advancing a mission, and I’m motivated by the idea that my work can help create stability and transparency.
Originally from Durango, Mexico, I now call Napa and the San Francisco Bay Area my second home. I’m passionate about lifelong learning and enjoy developing new skills. I’m fluent in English and Spanish and have studied Italian and French, although I’m still a beginner in both. Outside of work, I enjoy acting and have participated in several workshops and projects, an important creative outlet for me. I also enjoy staying active through gym workouts, yoga classes, and weekend tennis lessons.

Jamie Alexandre
Co-founder and Co-Executive Director
USA

Jamie Alexandre
Hello, I'm Jamie, Learning Equality's co-founder and co-Executive Director. I have a PhD in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego and before Learning Equality, I also co-founded several educational technology platforms, including thisCourse, ESL Genie, and KA Lite.
I love taking things apart and putting them back together again, eating delicious vegan food, and thinking about what an awesome world we live in and how to make it even better.

Jessica Aceret
Product Design Lead
USA

Jessica Aceret
Hello, I'm Jessica and I lead UX Design at LE. I have a background in Cognitive Science (B.S.) and Sociology (B.A.) from UCSD. During college I was introduced to UX and Product Design and became interested in ethical and equitable approaches to building technology, driven by the positive impact that it can have on our world.
I joined Learning Equality as an intern in 2014 and transitioned to full time in 2015. Since then, I've been focused on improving craft, process, and ways to collaboratatively design products that empower learners and educators around the world.
I'm an L.A. native and in my spare time, I likes trying new recipes, going on road trips with friends, dancing, and expanding my musical taste.

Kenneth Oroma
Program Specialist, Student-Centered Learning
Uganda

Kenneth Oroma
Hi! I am Kenneth Oroma, Program Specialist, Student Centered Learning at Learning Equality. I believe that access to quality education unlocks every child’s potential to achieve greatness. Driven by this purpose, I have dedicated my life to advancing quality education in underprivileged communities. This passion led me to serve as a Teach For Uganda Fellow where I was honored with the Distinguished Fellow Award for achieving high school and community impact. I have taught nearly every primary school level, from Primary One to Primary Seven, across Uganda’s classrooms, and I hold a Master’s in International Education and Development.Work helps me stay away from my toxic love affair with Manchester United Football Club. I adore the team, but our glory days seem to be behind us. No matter how many times I swear I will quit them, I’m still screaming at the screen, stressed and furious over every loss, someone send help!

Laura Danforth
Director of Community & Product Operations
USA

Laura Danforth
Hi, I'm Laura. I am extremely motivated by the dual goals of creating equitable access to educational resources and utilizing technology to help meet the needs of all learners. At Learning Equality, I drive strategy for engaging with our community of implementers and support the development of our teacher training models.
I have a B.S.Ed. from Northwestern University and an Ed.M from Harvard University, and I've also previously taught elementary school in Chicago.
I typically spend my free time reading, running, and trying not to burn my oatmeal in the oven.

Lauren Lichtman
Co-Executive Director
USA

Lauren Lichtman
Hi! I'm Lauren, Co-Executive Director at Learning Equality. I joined the team 7+ years ago to continue my ongoing journey to bring people together around innovations to break down barriers to education. My journey has taken me from supporting the work of corporates engaging in education to fighting crime by investigating international financial movements.
I have a M.A. in International Educational Development with a focus on Peace Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a B.A. in Comparative Politics and a Certificate in African Students from Princeton University.
On a personal note, living in Brooklyn for a dozen years heightened my senses for what I consider good cold brew, so if you swing through New York, let's grab a coffee.
Fun Fact: I have a daughter who was born on International Women's Day!

Liana Harris
Full-Stack Engineer
USA

Liana Harris
I’m Liana Harris, a Full Stack Engineer at LE, where I create innovative solutions that support equitable access to quality education for all. With a degree in Computer Science and a knack for problem-solving, I've optimized systems, integrated new technologies, and delivered seamless user experiences.
Joining LE has allowed me to combine my passion for solving problems through tech with my goal of empowering educators and students alike.
Beyond coding, I enjoy reading, traveling, and interior decorating.

Marcella Maki
Staff Full-stack Software Engineer & Technical Product Manager
USA

Marcella Maki
I'm a software developer and technical product manager based in Brooklyn, where I live with my cat, Chico.
I studied Political Science and Sociology at Middlebury College and then transitioned to engineering. I've built software and websites at UNICEF Innovation, Census Open Innovation Labs, and a college counseling consultancy. I joined Learning Equality to bring together my interests in education technology and open source software.
I enjoy spending my free time cooking, knitting poorly, reading magical realism, and wandering around my neighborhood seeking out dogs to pet.

Navya Akkinepally
Co-Executive Director
USA

Navya Akkinepally
Hi! I am Navya, Co-Executive Director at Learning Equality and based in San Francisco Bay Area, California. Prior to joining LE, I have worked in India with various organizations in edtech, curriculum development, and school improvement programs in low-resource contexts, shaping my lifelong purpose in fighting for educational justice. I'm a Teach for India alumna. On a personal note, I lived in different cities on both sides of the world (US and India) and have learnt a thing or two about local food and cuisines, and love trying new recipes and hosting a meal at my dinner table.

Radina Matic
Accessibility & QA Lead
Spain

Radina Matic
I’m Radina Matic, Accessibility and QA Lead at LE, where I oversee our team efforts to release inclusive and accessible products, able to be used by everyone regardless of their abilities.
After almost two decades of experience that goes from technical communication and translation, and digital content management in four different countries, today I most enjoy the challenge of designing and testing accessible user experiences in the Kolibri ecosystem.
Off the clock you’ll find me having fun in science museums, walking around Catalan countryside, and caring for my permaculture garden.

Revanth Voothaluru
Director of Global Implementations
India

Revanth Voothaluru
Hello, I'm Revanth, and I'm deeply committed to promoting equity in education. I've spent six years at Teach For India in various roles, and although I studied engineering as an undergrad, my time as a Teach For India Fellow inspired me to pursue a career in education.
I have a Master's Degree in International Education Policy from Harvard University, and have worked at Khan Academy India before joining Learning Equality, where I partnered with state governments to drive large-scale implementation efforts.
Outside of work, I'm deeply passionate about Carnatic music and have trained in it for over a decade.

Richard Tibbles
Co-Founder and Director of Product & Technology
USA

Richard Tibbles
I’m Richard, a co-founder and the Product Lead at Learning Equality. I’m responsible for building the roadmap for the Kolibri Ecosystem, to serve the diverse needs of the learners, educators, and organizations who make up our community.
I’m passionate about student centered learning and I see technology as a scalable and flexible tool to help learners and educators create learning environments that support this experience. Prior to co-founding Learning Equality, I spent 3 years as a Secondary Science Teacher in the United Kingdom and 2 years as an educational consultant, working in K-12 schools in New Jersey and New York, training teachers in Problem-Based Learning, Educational Technology, and Student-Centered Teaching.
I have a PhD in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego, and my dissertation research focused on how forgetting impacts Mathematics learning over time.

Samson Akol
Senior Full-Stack Engineer
Uganda

Samson Akol
I'm Samson Akol, a Senior Full Stack Engineer at LE, dedicated to enhancing our products ecosystem to facilitate learning in disconnected communities.
Drawing from my 10 years in tech, I've contributed to improving the browsing experience in Kolibri, particularly when browsing remote content. My desire for access to free education and information sharing, coupled with a strong belief in leveraging technology for positive change, led me to join LE.
Outside of coding, you'll find me enjoying quality time with family or catching a soccer match.

Sumaira Mian
Director of Philanthropy
USA

Sumaira Mian
Hello, I'm Sumaira. I'm dedicated to advancing social justice, supporting marginalized communities, and fostering a vision of collective liberation by employing an anti-oppression framework and community-centric fundraising principles to my work.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Religious Studies from Stony Brook University and a Master's degree in Social Work from Columbia School of Social Work. I have over eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector in fundraising and philanthropy.
Before joining LE, I've worked as a Development Manager at Womankind and as a Grant Writer at Funding for Social Change. As Learning Equality's Donor Relations Manager, I colead operations for philanthropic giving, combining my fundraising expertise with a deep alignment to Learning Equality's mission of supporting quality education for under-resourced communities around the world.
I'm based in New York and outside of work, I find joy in hiking, contemplative walks, zen writing, gardening and traveling the world.

Susan Eyah
Learning and Impact Manager
Nigeria

Susan Eyah
Hi! I'm Susan, Learning and Impact Manager at Learning Equality.
I’m driven by a deep commitment to advancing equitable learning opportunities through data-informed strategies and community-centered innovation. My professional journey has focused on leading Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems across humanitarian, education, and development programs, with a strong emphasis on local ownership, evidence-based learning, and storytelling for impact. Before joining LE, I worked on large-scale initiatives with organizations like Mercy Corps and CARE International, supporting program learning, theory of change development, and donor engagement across projects spanning digital education, social protection, and gender equity. I hold a Master’s degree in Information Management. When I’m not synthesizing data or designing impact frameworks, I’m raising a vibrant toddler and curating Nigerian local meals for family reunions. I’m excited to be part of a mission-driven team that’s reshaping access to quality learning through tools like Kolibri.