Meet Our Team

Get to know the dynamic global team behind Britannica Education’s robust selection of digital instructional support resources and professional learning programs.

Joan Jacobsen
VP of Product Development

Joan brings more than 25 years of experience developing award-winning products for the classroom. She began her career as a classroom teacher before focusing on educational technology and product development. She has been instrumental in developing many high-quality, engaging solutions that support teachers and drive student success including CODE and EdTech Breakthrough Award winners.

Joan Jacobson

VP, Product Development

Lori Lynch, M.Ed.
VP, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Lori has a mission to bring effective, and engaging learning to educators in all settings and styles. A former early childhood educator and school leader, Lori took a leap of faith into the world of professional learning, after 11 years working in classrooms and schools. Since then, and for the past nearly 20 years, her mission for professional learning is to provide relevant, and effective learning and coaching opportunities for the 21st-century educator. This means the content must be focused on best practices, cutting-edge technological advances, and meet educators where they are in the world today. As she embarks on the work here at Britannica Education, her approach to global learning is done with purpose, so that educators everywhere will receive consistent, trusted, and well-researched approaches to pedagogy in today's classrooms.

Lori Lynch, M.Ed.

VP, Professional Learning

Marcelo Zanon
Head of Curriculum

With over twenty years expertise dedicated to shaping engaging educational experiences, Marcelo stands as a passionate education strategist. As Head of Curriculum at Britannica, his leadership fosters collaboration and drives continuous improvement through data-driven insights, ensuring evidence-based content empowers educators and students. Previously, Marcelo spearheaded the expansion of Oxford University Press mission of excellence in education by publishing the highest quality educational resources and services across Asia and Latin America. A Master's degree in Educational Assessment fuels his commitment to measurable impact. Marcelo is an educator driven by the belief that technology can empower educators and students, paving the way for a transformed future of learning.

Marcelo Zanon

Head of Curriculum, Brazil

Solange Petrosino
Head of Customer Success and Professional Development, LATAM

With more than 30 years in education, Solange has experiences in the public and private sector, as well as in the Brazilian and Latin American publishing market. She has a degree in Biology, Public Health and Pedagogy, postgraduate degree in Public Health with an emphasis on education and an MBA in school management.

Solange Petrosino

Head of Customer Success and Professional Development, LATAM

Kristie Bangali
Curriculum Learning Specialist

Kristie, a Curriculum Learning Specialist at Britannica Education, has over 20 years of experience in pedagogy and curriculum development. She specializes in aligning educational content with academic standards and adapting to diverse student needs. Kristie's proficiency with digital learning platforms was pivotal during the Covid-19 pandemic, earning her the 2020 LHRIC TELL Award and 2021 Teacher of the Year. She authored a chapter in "Gamify Literacy: Boost Collaboration and Learning," published by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), showcasing her innovative approach in education. Her impact extends beyond direct teaching, influencing the broader educational landscape.

Kristie Bangali

Curriculum & Instruction Learning Specialist

Andrea Bolanho
Media and Rights Specialist

Andrea Bolanho is a professional with extensive experience in iconographic research, licensing, and copyright. She holds a specialization in History, Society, and Culture from PUC-SP, as well as a bachelor's degree and teaching degree in History from the same university. She has also studied Visual Arts with a focus on Art Criticism. With over twenty years of experience, her career includes projects for publishing groups, museums, and cultural institutions. Recent projects involve consultancies for exhibitions in Brazil and abroad, content research for educational projects, and editorial coordination at the Bispo do Rosário Museum. Passionate about history and art, Andrea strives to create content that educates and inspires.

Andrea Bolanho

Media and Rights Specialist, Brazil

Sally Hood, PhD
English Language Learning Specialist

Sally J. Hood is an English Language Learning Specialist supporting the curriculum development of the new Britannica English product. Sally earned a Ph.D. in Language Education, with a minor in Teacher Education from Indiana University, Bloomington. Sally has 35 years of experience working in K-12 curriculum design and instruction focused on language learning and teaching. Sally spent many of those years developing and providing professional learning for K-12 language teachers (ESL, World Languages, Dual Language Immersion). Sally has experience in evaluating curriculum for multilingual learners and providing instructional recommendations based on research and best practices. Sally enjoys creating instructional activities that promote multilingualism and cross-cultural communication. Sally is a former high school French teacher, has experience teaching English as a Second and Foreign Language, and taught in teacher education programs at the university level for nineteen years.

Sally Hood, PhD

English Language Learning Specialist, US

Satoshi Aoki
Head of Content Development Department, Japan

After working for a video production company and a textbook publisher, Satoshi Aoki assumed his current position in September 2021. Satoshi has planned and developed educational animation software and digital textbooks, produced textbooks and instructional materials for high schools, and served as chief producer of elementary school textbooks. At Britannica Japan, Satoshi is involved in project management for the production of content for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's “STEAM Library” project, management and operation of online databases, and production of the Britannica International Yearbook.

Satoshi Aoki

Head of Content Development Department, Japan

Molly Rhoadhouse
Science Subject Matter Expert

After working in the field of molecular biology, Molly shifted her career focus to educational publishing. As an independent business owner for more than 20 years, she contributed to a vast number of products for clients such as McGraw Hill, Pearson/Savvas, and Twig Science. Molly joined Britannica in 2021, where she has led the Expedition: Learn science team since its inception. In addition to her degree in Life Science, Molly has a graduate certificate in Instructional Design from the University of Wisconsin.

Molly Rhoadhouse

Science Subject Matter Expert, US

Jane King
Science Subject Matter Expert

Jane has over twenty years of experience in teaching, educational publishing, education technology, and instructional design. She specializes in grades K–8 science curriculum development aligned to state and national standards. Jane has written and edited hundreds of books, passages, lesson plans, assessments, hands-on activities, and digital activities. She also managed the content of an award-winning learning platform for grades K–6 science instruction. Jane holds a Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jane King

Science Subject Matter Expert, US

Mike Benson
Customer Experience Manager, US

Mike has been in the education universe for over 20 years. His first 11 years were spent teaching various grades in elementary school in Dallas, TX. Now based in Colorado, Mike has spent the last 11 years in EdTech professional learning, helping teachers integrate technology into their classrooms and using the data to make instructional decisions.

Mike Benson

Customer Experience Manager, US

Robs Mesquite
Bilingual Education Consultant

Dedicated to shaping the future of language and bilingual education, Robs Mesquita brings over 27 years of invaluable experience to the table. With a decade devoted specifically to Bilingual Education, she is currently spearheading advancements in the educational landscape as a Teacher Developer while diligently pursuing a doctorate in Multilingualism, Language Policy, and Bilingual Education at UFMG. Her academic journey boasts an MFA, aligned with the title of her ongoing PhD, and includes four post-graduate degrees in Language Teaching Through Technology, Modern Education, and two in Bilingual Teaching. Robs's extensive background and certifications underscore her unwavering commitment to education and language instruction, marking her as a distinguished contributor to various educational institutions and organizations.

Roberta Mesquita

Bilingual Education Consultant, Brazil

Zeina Chalich
Senior Manager, Education & Professional Learning, APAC

Zeina is an experienced educational leader, learning designer, and award-winning international speaker. She is the co-founder of AussieED and the Network Lead for WomenED Australia. Zeina was recently named on the Australian Most Influential Educator List and was awarded finalist Principal of the Year (Non-Government) for leading innovative pedagogies with emerging technology, transforming learning experiences, and creating global communities of learners. Zeina holds a Bachelor of Education and Master’s in Education Leadership from ACU Australia. She is passionate about leadership, excellence, innovation, and STEM, often speaking about ways to inspire the next generation of creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative problem-solvers in a rapidly changing world.

Zeina Chalich

Senior Manager, Education & Professional Learning, APAC

Criselda Dixon
Customer Experience Manager, US

For the last decade, Criselda Dixon has been working as a Professional Learning Consultant, in the edtech industry, across the United States with schools and districts. Her goals as a learning consultant have been to impact educators by serving them through meaningful onsite, and virtual learning opportunities, and coaching on the importance of data-driven support and instructional strategies, to achieve academic success. Before having the chance to become a professional learning consultant, Cris spent over 3 decades working in public schools in Texas and Florida, as both a bilingual teacher and district administrator. Cris retired in 2013 from the public-school sector and began her career impacting educators through her work in professional learning. Cris is a passionate educator, with expertise in literacy, biliteracy, dual language, and more.

Criselda Dixon

Customer Experience Manager, US

Christopher Heintz
Director, Customer Experience, US

Chris began his career in education as a high school Social Studies teacher in Chicago. Since then, he's served in various roles in education management helping teachers navigate the complex world of assessments, data, and curriculum and instruction. Throughout it all, he's been dedicated to one thing - providing teachers with the tools they need to create positive outcomes for the students in their care!

Christopher Heintz

Director, Customer Experience, US

Zachary Linnert, M.Ed.
Learning & Development Manager, US

With over 18 years of experience in diverse educational settings as an educator, administrator, and consultant across the country, he has had a front-row seat to the evolving educational landscape as it continues to adapt and serve the needs of children and adults of all ages. As an educational consultant with Britannica, Zachary is able to create and offer strong, relevant professional learning that champions innovative best practices, supports educators in their work, and integrates wonder, creativity, and joy.

Zachary Linnert, M.Ed.

Learning & Development Manager, US

Laura Liguori
Head of Curriculum and Professional Learning, EMEA

Laura brings 21 years' experience as a teacher and leader in international education. She has worked in international schools in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the UK. Laura developed curricula in outstanding international schools in key areas including the integration of AI and EdTech solutions, Literacy, Mathematics, and STEM. Prior to her education career, Laura was an international consultant in the UK and Hong Kong. Laura has published articles, presented at global conferences and delivered webinars exploring AI Integration in Schools, Safeguarding in International Contexts, and Professional Learning for teachers and education leaders.

Laura Liguori

Head of Curriculum and Professional Learning, EMEA

Emily Campchero
Social Studies Lead SME

Emily began her career working in Title I schools, specializing in gifted, MLL, and bilingual education. She has led teams to create content and curriculum at the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania and Teachers College–Columbia University as well as for public school systems such as the New York City and Florida departments of education and the Texas Education Agency. Emily holds a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College–Columbia University and a bachelor's of science in International Trade and Marketing, with minors in Economics and Latin American Studies, from the Fashion Institute of Technology.