CO-CEO & CO-FOUNDER

With over 20 years of research experience working with global school communities, Jae H. Paik is committed to advancing holistic education. Applying cutting-edge research on social, emotional, and cognitive development, she enjoys collaborating with schools to create and implement evidence-based learning experiences to support student learning and success in both online and offline environments. As a Professor of Psychology at San Francisco State University, Jae teaches, conducts research, and leads international service-learning programs. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Science from Indiana University.

Jae H. Paik, PhD

Jong Tak Lee, MSE

CO-CEO & CO-FOUNDER

Jong Tak Lee has in-depth EdTech industry expertise and experiences. As CEO of FOX EDU and Vice President of DATAEUM, Jong Tak has been developing and supporting learning management systems that are being used by five of twelve provincial educational offices in South Korea. He is committed to delivering scalable, personalized learning solutions for students across online and offline environments, incorporating cutting-edge technologies like robotics. He holds a Master’s in Computer Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Applied Software Engineering from Kongju National University, reflecting both his technical proficiency and dedication to transformative education.

CHIEF PSYCHOMETRICIAN & DATA SCIENTIST

Igor Himelfarb brings a wealth of experience from both academia and industry, holding roles at Gallup as an Advanced Design and Analytics expert and at Educational Testing Services as an Associate Psychometrician. Specializing in statistics, research methodology, machine learning, and the application of educational research, Himelfarb has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and delivered various educational and measurement conference presentations. He holds a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Educational Statistics and Research Methodology from University of California—Santa Barbara and an MBA from Colorado State University.

Igor Himelfarb, PhD & MBA

Seung Hee Yoo, PhD

CHIEF RESEARCHER

Seung Hee's research examines the connections between emotional intelligence, cultural values, and self-compassion and their impact on academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being. She was one of the lead researchers in a multinational study on cultural display rules of emotional expressions and suppressions, collaborating with 60 cross-cultural psychologists from 30 countries. She brings a wealth of experience conducting research using diverse and large psychological and educational datasets. Currently, Seung Hee also serves as an Associate Professor in the Clinical Program at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. She received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Yale University.

Shinchieh (CJ) Duh, PhD

HEAD OF PROGRAM OPERATIONS

Shinchieh (CJ) Duh specializes in using mixed methods for individual and program assessments, with the aim to examine development across ages and in varying sociocultural contexts so that to bring personalized, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all students. CJ brings extensive experience working with schools, institutions, and families in designing, implementing, and conducting large-scale educational research that meets the needs of the community. She is currently an associate professor in the Psychology department at San José State University, in addition to being adjunct faculty at San Francisco State University. She holds Ph.D. Developmental Psychology from University of Californa—Santa Cruz.

Rita Rodriguez, Ph.D., NCSP, LEP

HEAD OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Rita Rodriguez has more than 20 years of experience in educational and school systems in the U.S. She has been a part of several international exchange programs aimed at improving education around the world, especially for children in developing countries. She has a great deal of practical and research experience aimed at promoting and delivering SEL experiences and believes these same lessons can help support educators (e.g. stress management, professional development). Rita also served as a Faculty in the School Psychology Program at San Francisco State University and leads the Special Education Team for the Palo Alto Unified School District in California. Rita received her Ph.D. in Child and Adolescent Development, Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University.

Lisa Wilken, M.A.

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Lisa brings 27 years of education experience, having previously held principal and other leadership positions for a number of California public school systems such as Poway, Del Mar Union, and Solano Beach Unified School District. She has consistently championed initiatives that promote a whole-child approach, ensuring that every student is supported academically, social-emotionally, and personally. With her dedication to equity and inclusion, Lisa has been commended for her training and implementation of equitable practices, the development of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and her commitment to increasing the instructional capacity of her teams.

Yurim Park, M.A.

HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Yurim Park is an experienced EdTech product manager and Head of Business Development with over a decade of expertise in driving innovation within educational technology. She has led the development of AI-powered learning platforms, AR/VR smart classrooms, and interactive hologram projects in South Korea. With a strong foundation in both product management and business development, Yurim combines strategic vision with hands-on experience in EdTech growth. Her academic background in Education and International Development Cooperation further enriches her perspective, and she has contributed to transformative international development initiatives through ODA projects in Mozambique, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Danica Mavroudis, M.A.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Danica has experience in research on the impact of SEL on children and educators. She has taught children in both the United States and South Korea about SEL topics such as emotion recognition, self regulation skills, and strengthening social skills. Danica has training in Motivational Interviewing, which she used to support a variety of clients in making positive changes in their lives. Her research interests include how children’s social-emotional development is influenced by the people and world around them.

Meet Our Team