About

Our Team

Meet aiEDU. We’re a diverse and dynamic team of builders with backgrounds in technology, education, curriculum design, policy, journalism and more.

We’re united by a common belief in the next generation’s potential to shape technology and our future for the better.

  • Alex Kotran

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Alex is founder and CEO of aiEDU. He oversees strategy, partnerships, fundraising, and external relations.

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  • Emma Doggett Neergaard

    Emma Doggett Neergaard

    CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER

    Emma is the Chief Programs Officer at aiEDU, responsible for leading the development and delivery of content and services to support students in building AI literacy.

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  • Kate Anthony

    VP, FINANCE & OPERATIONS

    Kate is the VP of Finance and Operations at aiEDU, leading aiEDU's financial strategy and overseeing core internal functions across people, legal and business operations.

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  • Christian Pinedo

    Christian Pinedo

    VP, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS & ADVOCACY

    As the VP of External Affairs & Advocacy, Christian leads strategic initiatives to convene stakeholders, inform systemic change, and amplify the organization’s voice in the national AI education landscape.

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  • Khushali Narechania

    Khushali Narechania

    DIRECTOR, LEARNING

    Khushali is the Director, Learning at aiEDU, leading the student curriculum and educator professional learning strategy and development to support students and educators in building AI literacy skills.

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  • Joshua Westfall

    DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT

    Josh leads aiEDU's development and fundraising efforts to ensure all students are ready to live, work, and thrive in a world where AI is everywhere.

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  • Ally Kupcewicz

    Ally Kupcewicz

    DIRECTOR, PEOPLE

    With over a decade of experience in recruiting and people operations, Ally leads all things talent and personnel at aiEDU.

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  • Lindsay Berger

    Lindsay Berger

    SENIOR LEAD, NATIONAL PROGRAMS

    Lindsay Berger is the Senior Lead, National Programs.

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  • LeNard Pitts

    LeNard Pitts

    SENIOR PROGRAMS LEAD, EAST COAST

    LeNard serves as the Senior Programs Lead of the East Coast for aiEDU. He spearheads pivotal initiatives to advance AI literacy across East Coast school districts.

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  • Ashley Renick

    SENIOR PROGRAMS LEAD, WEST COAST

    Ashley serves as the Senior Programs Lead for the West Coast at aiEDU, where she collaborates with various stakeholders in our education systems to support them in building AI literacy and AI readiness.  

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  • Drew St Lawrence

    Drew St Lawrence

    SENIOR LEAD, CURRICULUM

    Drew supports efforts to develop student-facing AI literacy curricular projects.

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  • Na'taja Flood

    Na'taja Flood

    LEAD, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

    Na’taja is the Professional Learning Lead, leading conversations about AI literacy to inspire and equip learners and educators!

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  • Ashley Flynn

    LEAD, RESEARCH & EVALUATION

    Ashley is the Research & Evaluation Lead at aiEDU, responsible for leading research and impact measurement across the organization’s Learning and Programs teams.

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  • Melanie Whitfield

    Melanie Whitfield

    SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

    As the Strategic Assistant at aiEDU, Melanie plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and focus of the leadership team.

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  • Haley Ziegler

    Haley Ziegler

    FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION LEAD

    Haley manages financial resources, budget development, and implementation of financial strategies.

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  • Communications Specialist

    Hetal Bhatt

    COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

    As a communications specialist, Hetal works across aiEDU’s initiatives, including aiEDU Studios.

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  • Shelby Christenen

    LEARNING OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

    Shelby serves as a Learning Operations Specialist at aiEDU, bringing more than seven years of experience in education and operations to her work.

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Our Board of Directors

  • Tiffany Taylor

    Board Member

    Chief People & Impact Officer at GSV Ventures; former Deputy Chief People Officer of Teach for America

  • Karen Silverman

    Board Member

    Founder & CEO, The Cantellus Group; former Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ San Francisco office

  • Marcus Brauchli

    Board Member

    Managing Partner of North Base Media; former Executive Editor of the Washington Post

  • Julie Brickell

    Board Member

    Lecturer at Columbia University; former General Counsel of H5

  • Ehrik Aldana

    Board Member

    aiEDU Co-Founder; Policy Manager at Credo.ai

  • Alex Kotran

    Board Member

    aiEDU Co-Founder & CEO

Advisory Board Members

  • Matt Gee

    Director, Data & AI, US Program,
    Gates Foundation

  • Dr. Christina Grant

    Executive Director, Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University

  • Jeff Livingston

    CEO, EdSolutions

  • Jennie Magiera

    Global Head of Education Impact, Google for Education

  • Loni Mahanta

    Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer, HopSkipDrive

  • Lakshmi Nidamarthi

    CEO & Founder, Waymakers

  • Jamil Poonja

    Former Senior Advisor to the Governor of Michigan

  • Geo Saba

    Former Chief of Staff, Rep. Ro Khanna