Melissa Schmitz is an award-winning educator recognized for increasing academic success and motivating educational change. She has over 25 years of experience as a public and private educator. Receiving a bachelor’s degree in music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee, and a doctorate in educational leadership and management from Drexel University, Dr. Schmitz is an experienced leader of educational change and organizational development. Currently, she is the senior educational consultant and owner of WISE HD, a workplace for innovative, sustainable, education and human development.

Additionally, Dr. Melissa Schmitz is an associate researcher with ELaBS (an Education, Learning and Brain Research collaborative at Drexel University’s School of Education) as well as a partner of the Freddie Reisman Center (FRC) for Translational Research in Creativity and Motivation. She is an author and researcher of several university courses on the mindfulness and creativity.

Creativity is my passion – whether visualizing and sharing complex data with diverse audiences or building and delivering curriculum.

My broad experience in K-12 schools, high education, museums, and international business share a common thread in my dedication to building relationships within communities through the data we share and the stories that connect us.

Specialties: Curriculum Design; Public Speaking; Web Design; Brand Development; User Experience Design; Data Visualization

Brittany Lazer-Gheer holds a Master’s of Science in Art Education from Kutztown University. Brittany teaches art at a public elementary school.  Her research focuses on how creativity and creative awareness assists students in developing strategies to cultivate thinking and learning.

Tanya Knudsen is an award-winning early education business leader and former founder and director of Polly-Glots, an immersive language education program. In recent years, Tanya has been a German and French teacher. It is really the language of creativity that captivates and has become the center point defining her personal and professional life. Today, Tanya is a facilitator for both Creative Problem Solving, a complex problem-solving process and FourSight, a cognitive diversity assessment tool for team efficiency in complex problem solving. Tanya facilitates online and in person to educational institutions and businesses around the world. Tanya holds an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership and is currently a PhD candidate for Creative Leadership. Tanya works part time in Madagascar, developing a vocational education program for hospitality and is also conducting her doctoral study. Tanya is the secretary to the board at the Global Creativity Initiative and the host of the Global Creativity Initiative Podcast.