ABOUT

Maria is a Senior Product Manager and Strategist in Biotechnology focused on Oncology Research and Development. She has worked in both large-scale organizations such as Google and Genentech, as well as cutting-edge start-ups where she has helped define and lead the strategic direction, process optimization, and organizational development. As the Founder of Acton Academy SV, Maria is focused on reimagining education for her own daughters and future generations to ensure children approach the real world with confidence, empathy, character, and a growth mindset. With her strong organizational development background, Maria takes the role of Founder at Acton Academy SV very seriously to ensure that things are running smoothly and productively. Maria, her husband, and their 4 daughters live in the Bay Area where they enjoy spending time as a family outdoors.

Mo is a former Wall St banker, business operator, entrepreneur and now a passionate educator. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Georgia. For over a decade, Mo has had a love for teaching and mentoring young learners to help them be the best they can be in and out of the classroom.

By personally teaching his 1st-grade niece throughout the pandemic, he noticed the waning joy for learning, the unfostered curiosity, and the lack of preparation for thriving in the 21st century - especially social-emotionally. After that, he was compelled to tackle these problems for the learners in his community and pursued the opportunity as an Acton Guide. And of course, he is a big kid at heart who loves to have fun and inspire learning adventures every single day!

Libby brings over 20 years of experience in the field of education, with her most recent role being an educator at the innovative Google Children's Center. Libby brings the perspective and experience of a world traveler into the classroom. Her early experiences traveling the globe taught her patience, perspective, and a deeply ingrained sense of appreciation, all key qualities that she brings into the learning environments that she engages with. Because she has had a personal meditation and yoga practice for years, she brings mindful awareness to her work with young people and their families. She earned her undergraduate and Master’s degree in Human Development, with a focus on Families and Leadership in Education. She believes that young people will change the world by being in an environment with supportive adults who are not afraid to challenge them. She doesn’t accept the status quo and knows that when learners are put in charge of their own learning, they will develop a deep self-knowing, one that will transform themselves, each other, and the world. 

Pedro has always been a naturally curious learner, driven by a wide range of interests. He is obsessed with bringing people to their “lightbulb moment,” regardless of age, background or interests. Pedro has spent the past 15 years working in diverse roles that have shaped him to be the most empathetic, infectiously energetic educator possible. His passion for teaching began early on while volunteering at Children’s Hospital summer camps and coaching soccer camps for the Seattle Sounders. Pedro graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a double major in Chemistry and Hispanic Linguistics and Biology minor. He spent a few years working as a pharmacology researcher and as a surgical assistant for an orthopedic, ear, nose and throat surgery center before being accepted into medical school. Pedro opted to defer medical school and moved to Brazil to explore other opportunities. For two years, Pedro worked as the urban beekeeping team manager in Seattle and Portland, installing rooftop beehives downtown and educating the communities on the importance of pollinators and most recently as Chief of Staff in an early stage startup. 

Erika is a proud San Francisco native who spent over a decade living and working throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia and the East coast. Throughout her career in education she has been instrumental in developing top performing global teams in sales, operations and marketing at senior director levels. 

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Erika has consulted for various companies, including founding her own business & nonprofit foundation to support single parents in need. She has been invited to speak on panels, conferences and events around the world and loves motivating people to follow their passion, work hard and grow their businesses. She believes that the world is a better place when women are also at the table making decisions and in leadership roles.

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Erika has a love for traveling, having visited nearly 65 countries and speaks several languages. She is a proud of alum of Les Roches International School of Hospitality Management in Switzerland and received her MBA from Glion Institute of Higher Education.

Marlene has passion and heart for creating a quality educational environment for young learners. With 37 years in the field of child development, her experience spans roles as a classroom teacher, director, and business owner.
Marlene founded Nitty Gritty Preschool in 2009 and is excited to join AASV with her vision of guiding children to build a foundation for creative, resilient thinkers with solid communication and social-emotional skills.
Marlene has a unique understanding of learning styles. Growing up with a learning difference has given her empathy, compassion, and patience with young learners, which she brings to students daily. This perspective has driven Marlene’s dedication to meeting children where they are and support their strengths and areas for growth.
Marlene’s goal is for everyone entering her classroom to feel the warmth and love she offers children and their families.
Marlene is a Redwood City native, where she also raised her family with her husband of 36 years. Family is everything to Marlene; she welcomed her first granddaughter into the world last year and is thrilled with this new role.
In her spare time, Marlene enjoys hiking with her dog, spending time with family, road trips, and camping.

​Over the past 30 years, Paula has taught music and movement in various public and private schools. She became so intrigued by how even the infants responded to music that it inspired her to return to school to study Child Development and Early Childhood Education. For the past 12 years, she has been teaching full-time preschool classes with a strong emphasis on music curriculum, blending her two passions. She truly enjoys helping and watching the children develop & learn. Her favorite moments are what she refers to as the “Light Bulb” moments when a child suddenly realizes that they have learned something new or accomplished a self-help task. Paula is proud of the strong bonds she’s developed with many of her former learners and continues that here in the Nitty Gritty Preschool Studio at AASV!

​Sebastian grew up in rural Germany, surrounded by forest, meadows and creeks. After discovering much of Europe through his studies, work and extensive travel, his sense of adventure pulled him "out west" and into San Francisco. He enjoyed volunteering for his children's sports teams, the cub scouts, and school organizations, and discovered his talent for creating unique experiences during the many birthday parties of his three children. With the Wild Hearts Kids Club, he blends this heritage with inspiration from his transformational inner work at Leap Forward, and his experience as a Martial Arts teacher, and his own "wild heart" that still loves to explore, discover and play "full out"! Sebastian holds a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Stuttgart, and in his previous life ran an international executive search company.

With an accomplished background spanning marketing strategy, brand partnerships, business development, and social impact, Michele brings a wealth of experience to her role as Director of Enrollment and Marketing. Prior to joining Acton, she served as a Global Partner Marketing specialist for WhatsApp, where she led initiatives in the payments sector. Her ability to marry marketing strategies with genuine community impact was further evidenced during her tenure with City Year in San Jose/Silicon Valley. At City Year, she managed a robust corporate portfolio, spearheaded growth strategies that catapulted the organization's revenue projections, and played a vital role in driving educational equity initiatives.

Prior to joining City Year, Michele spent time as a marketing consultant focused on amplifying nonprofits and startups in both NYC and San Francisco using blends of social media, brand awareness, and strategic partnerships. This consultancy tenure further refined her skills in multi-channel marketing, demand generation, and partner marketing. Notable projects include collaborating with C-level executives at Kaiser Permanente to elevate customer engagement rates.

Her academic pursuits have equally shaped her proficiency: an MBA from Golden Gate University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from San Francisco State University. Michele's dedication to transformative marketing and commitment to fostering inclusive communities make her an invaluable addition to the Acton Academy Silicon Valley team.