About the Accelerator

As Co-Founder and CEO of the High Resolves Group, Mehrdad has focused on the transformation of the Group’s activities into a digital-first mindset and the systematic growth of the program across the world. Mehrdad is also Chair of Alchemy Growth, a boutique strategy advisory firm; and Founding Partner at Alchemy Tribridge, a boutique venture investment firm.

Roya is co-founder of High Resolves and serves as the Chief Creative Officer for the High Resolves Group. Roya has a graduate degree in architecture and has also worked in many other experiential design fields. Throughout all her work, she has been passionate about creating transformative experiences that have personal or social impact.

Jean-Claude Brizard is President and CEO of Digital Promise, a global, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on accelerating innovation in education. He is the former Senior Advisor and Deputy Director of the U.S. Programs at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he focused on PK-16 education across five communities in four states.

Dina Buchbinder is a social entrepreneur passionate about constantly reimagining education. In 2007, she founded Education for Sharing (E4S), an innovative, action-oriented organization that helps shape better global citizens using the power of play.

Ken Lane has been with the Economist Group for 12 years and is based in Washington, D.C. He is currently a Director at Economist Impact, its policy insights and thought-leadership division, where he oversees the Group’s largest partnerships. As a commercial leader for the Group he expanded regional operations, opened new business channels and grew its public policy practice. 

Gabriela Lopez serves as Director of Research to Practice Measures at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which is focused on the development of measures and evidence gathering grounded in racial equity and justice, as well as the science of learning and human development.

Anthony Mackay is CEO and Board Co Chair of the Washington DC based National Center on Education and the Economy.

Bror Saxberg is the VP of Learning Science at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, where he works on how to bring more evidence-based practices into the learning ecosystem as a whole.

Tina Sharkey is a consumer brand builder, global operating executive, entrepreneur, and public and private board member. She has created and scaled global brands and businesses in digital media, consumer health, and CPG industries that have transformed the way we communicate, shop, and share.

Gisele C. Shorter is the Director of Education at the Raikes Foundation, which she joined as an education strategy program officer in 2018. She leads the national School and System Redesign Portfolio and supports K-12 policy efforts.

Dena Trujillo, CEO of Crisis Text Line, has led the organization through transformation and prepared it for growth. She has worked to bring services to new technology platforms, launch Crisis Text Line in Spanish, diversity the organization, and build systems to foster ongoing innovation and collaboration. 

Rajiv Vinnakota is the seventh president of the Institute for Citizens and Scholars (formerly the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation).

Eduardo is an angel investor in several edtech startups. He is a co-founder of Grupo Ibmec Educacional, where he served as CEO for 11 years.