Founding Team

Melissa Gedney is a researcher, learning designer, and media producer focused on the intersection of technology, education, and well-being. She has supported research and design initiatives at PBS KIDS, Harvard Graduate School of Education, GBH, Digital Promise, and the Wilson Center, exploring how emerging technologies can support meaningful learning. She was recognized as a Fellow by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center and Promise Venture Studios. She earned an Ed.M. in Technology, Innovation, and Education from Harvard and a B.A. in Political Science & Public Policy from George Washington University.

Favorite word: Rigamarole

John Sessler is an educational consultant and founder of Wet Cement Education Strategies. He specializes in learning experience and curriculum design, education research, educator professional development, and family and community engagement program design. John has led design and research projects with PBS KIDS, the Right Question Institute – in collaboration with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, National Geographic, and the Library of Congress – and the Hallie E. Ford Center at Oregon State University. He was recognized as a 2020-22 New America Learning Sciences Exchange (LSX) Fellow. John holds an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.S. in Communication from Northwestern University.

Favorite word: Taradiddle

Anil Hurkadli most recently served in the Biden-Harris Administration as Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Educational Technology and Chief of Staff for the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education. There, he guided national policy on artificial intelligence in educational settings and advising Secretary Miguel Cardona on AI and digital equity. Previously, Anil was Senior Vice President of Community Impact at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and Executive Director of Teach For America Twin Cities His writing has appeared in Education Week, the Boston Globe, and the Minnesota Star Tribune. 

Favorite Word: Soliloquy

Vasant Joseph is a technologist with over a decade of experience in software development. He spent 7 years as a technology consultant at Accenture Federal Services. He currently serves as DistroKid's DevOps Engineer, a music distribution service for independent artists. Vasant has experience in multiple programming languages, and values building technical environments that allow for simple, streamlined products that support people's lives. He holds a BS in Economics & Mathematics and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Maryland.

Favorite Word: Cacophony