Jennifer Emmett is a Kids Media expert and content creator inspiring kids to be curious, learn, and explore the world. She is the Founder of WonderLab Group and previously served as Senior Vice President of National Geographic Kids Media where she oversaw a program that included publication of two magazines, 100 books per year, a website, social media channels, a YouTube channel, digital apps, Alexa skills, a radio show, and short-form video. Jennifer has edited more than 100 nonfiction titles for children, which have collectively sold hundreds of thousands of copies. She’s a graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Lana Wong is based in Washington, DC after living abroad for 17 years in London, Nairobi, and Paris. She has diverse work experience as a photographer, educator, television broadcaster, and creative director. In 1997, Lana founded Shootback – a youth photography and development project in the Nairobi slums that harnessed the creative voices of young Kenyans so they could tell their own stories. Inspired by this experience and her creative collaborations with international organizations, local NGOs, foundations, youth, and artists, Lana is thrilled to be working with Shout Mouse to utilize the power of words and images for advocacy, education, and development. Lana earned a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University and a Master’s in Photography from the Royal College of Art in London.

J. Thomas Swindell is an experienced nonprofit finance and operations leader with nearly two decades of expertise in financial management, strategic planning, auditing, budgeting, and organizational systems. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School, where he oversees finance, investments, facilities, human resources, IT, and risk management. Previously, he held senior finance roles at After-School All-Stars, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Thomas holds an M.A. in Accounting and Finance from UNC Greensboro and is fluent in English and Spanish.

Tiffani R. Alexander is an award-winning writer, editor, and executive leader with over 18 years of experience in publishing, content strategy, and executive communications. She is currently the Director of Editorial Services at Howard University. Tiffani has worked across sectors including public safety, entertainment, and trade associations, and as founder of TiffaniWrites, LLC, she offers editorial, design, and content services to individuals and organizations. A journalism graduate of the University of Maryland with a master’s in media management, Tiffani lives in Prince George’s County, MD, where she’s writing a historical fantasy novel and caring for her cat, King Ramses.

Anthony (Tony) Keith, Jr., PhD. is a Black American gay poet, spoken word artist, and Hip-Hop educational leader from Washington D.C. He is author of the debut young adult memoir in verse, How the Boogeyman Became a Poet and the young adult poetry collection Knucklehead forthcoming from Katherine Tegen Books. His feature performances include John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington National Cathedral, and the African Alliance Community Center in Arusha Tanzania. Tony’s writings appear in the Journal of Negro Education, Equity & Excellence in Education and the Journal of Black Masculinity and many others. A multi-year fellow of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Tony is founder and CEO of Ed Emcee Academy, an entrepreneurial extension of his award-winning dissertation research about Hip-Hop culture and leadership for racial equity in American education. He holds a PhD in education from George Mason University, and lives with his husband, Harry Christian III and their dog, Sage, in his DC hometown.

Denisse Arias is the inaugural Director of EdRedesign’s Lab Fellowship for Cradle-to-Career Partnership Leaders. She brings deep experience in equity-focused leadership, systems change, and cross-sector collaboration. At Teach For All, she led global leadership development efforts and partnerships with USAID, the European Commission, and the World Bank. She also co-led the Leading from Lived Experience Fellowship, supporting over 100 leaders from marginalized backgrounds. A Teach For America alum and former teacher, Denisse served as Co-Board Chair of TFA–Massachusetts’ Homegrown Alumni Board. She holds degrees from Boston University and an MPA from Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs.

Iris Jacob is a nationally recognized social justice consultant and founder of Social Justice Synergy, a firm that helps organizations advance inclusion and equity. She has led transformative trainings for clients including DC Public Schools, the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and The Women’s March. Iris is also the author of My Sisters’ Voices: Teenage Girls of Color Speak Out, a widely taught collection of essays by young women of color. Her work bridges activism and education to inspire lasting change. Iris lives in Washington, DC, with her three children, and loves dance parties and time spent in community.