About the Presenters

Dr. Amanda Sullivan is the Senior Program Developer at the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) where she works on a variety of projects that connect research to practice. Her work at NGCP includes managing national webinars, developing curricula and other educational resources, and supporting work on the NSF-funded BRITE online program for girls. Dr. Sullivan holds a master’s and Ph.D. in child development from Tufts University where she worked with the Developmental Technologies Research Group. Her research explores strategies for breaking gender stereotypes and encouraging young children’s curiosity about STEM from an early age. She is the co-creator of the ScratchJr Coding Cards: Creative Coding Activities for Children Ages 5-7, published by No Starch Press, and author of the book Breaking the STEM Stereotype: Reaching Girls in Early Childhood, published by Rowman & Littlefield. Her work has been featured in GeekWire, WIRED magazine, the New York Times, and more.

Dr. Amanda Strawhacker is STEAM Coordinator at Schechter Boston. Her work involves teaching, developing curricula, and professional development on STEAM for PreK-8th grade students and teachers. Dr. Strawhacker holds a master’s and Ph.D. in child development from Tufts University, where she worked with the Developmental Technologies Research Group, and was the Associate Director of the Early Childhood Technology Graduate program. Her research focuses on physical tools, technologies, and spaces for engaging children in playful and real-world STEM inquiry. She has contributed to the research and development of several technologies for young children including the ScratchJr programming app, the KIBO robotics kit, the Early Childhood Makerspace at Tufts, and the CRISPEE bioengineering kit.

Lori K. Lynch is a successful and transformative leader, across multiple industries, with her expertise in learning and development, team building, recruitment, succession planning, and customer success. Her experiences have allowed effective skill transferability starting as a classroom teacher and educational leader, extensive tenure in the e-learning, web, and app-based EdTech industry, and recently, the educational publishing sector. Her background stemming from teacher to L&D specialist, along with executive-level leadership, has prepared her for delivering creative approaches and bringing transformational input into her career experiences.

As a member of Learning Forward, the NAEYC, and the Association for Talent Development, Lori believes that the fun you bring to learning and development doesn’t end when you’re a child. In her experience, a focus on adult learning theory is important, and using creative engagement strategies for the working adult can promote deeper learning, team camaraderie, and a sense of belonging. These strategies have shown Lori that it becomes much easier to invoke growth and succession planning. Her belief in the importance of emotional intelligence allows teamwork and communication to thrive in these nurtured environments.

Lori holds a BS in human development from Pacific Christian College, and a master’s in education-early childhood, from Concordia. Additionally, Lori is a Certified Scrum Product Owner, a Certified DISC and Enneagram Profile Analyst, a Certified Human Rights Consultant, and is pursuing a counseling certification. She is a musician, a weekend DIY-er, an animal lover, and a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan.