LeapForLearning's
Director & Advisors
Shaveela Raniga is a Director of Product, Design & Business Operations with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Digital Film and experience leading digital products and learning experiences from concept through implementation. Her work spans SaaS product development, brand and visual design, instructional and learning experience design, multimedia production, technology, accessibility, localization, and business operations. She oversees the technical ecosystem, evaluating and testing applications, selecting platforms and tools, defining workflows and processes, and partnering with engineers to develop and improve digital products. Her background includes worldwide digital content and localization at Apple and immersive VR/AR experiences with Google’s Daydream team. Through LeapForLearning, Shaveela led the development of both educational products and a SaaS learning application, working with a team of engineers while overseeing the brand, learning experiences, technology, and operational processes from the ground up.
Maia Gallo, Director of Education & Learning, holds a Master’s Degree in Education and is a Certified Connection Practice Trainer and yoga practitioner. As an Early Childhood Educator and Democratic School Staff Member, Maia strongly believes in children’s rights to experience freedom and play while receiving loving care, respect, and individualized support. Through her experience as a parent, teacher, and mentor, she has developed valuable childcare and life skills and feels privileged to have learned tools that support children and caregivers. Maia is excited to share these practices with other caregivers through the LeapForLearning book series.
Advisor, TaJa Evans, is a multifaceted professional with a Bachelor’s degree in ASL interpretation, a Master’s degree in Deaf Education, and certification as a Deaf-Blind intervenor. Her extensive qualifications include roles as a dedicated Deaf education teacher and consultant for Deaf-blind individuals. TaJa's passion for music enriches her advisory work, enabling her to forge deep connections with students and fostering emotional expression. Her commitment to inclusivity aligns seamlessly with LeapForLearning's mission to empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing scholars while promoting awareness of Deaf culture and American Sign Language.
Advisor, Salli Clavelle, our Sports and Community advisor at LeapForLearning, shattered NFL barriers as the first Black female scout with the San Francisco 49ers. Raised in New Orleans, LA, she earned both her Bachelor’s and Masters degrees at Sam Houston State before returning to her hometown to undertake an unpaid internship at Tulane University. Her journey from adversity to success serves as an inspirational backdrop to her work, passionately inspiring young girls to break barriers and offering invaluable guidance to our scholars in their pursuit of education and community engagement goals. As of 2023, she has continued her remarkable career with the Minnesota Vikings as a Pro Scout, further cementing her legacy in the NFL.
Advisor, Clement Adetunji , an accomplished website designer and app developer with a dual background in computer science and engineering from the University of Nigeria, brings a unique expertise in AI custom modeling to his work. His career journey commenced as a Java programmer, evolving into a front-end developer known for delivering customized solutions that harmoniously integrate aesthetics and technical excellence. Furthermore, he has honed his expertise in crafting Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) through platforms like Adalo and Bubble.io. He stands out for his collaboration with other developers in creating websites for numerous startups, including one that is a recipient of Y Combinator, which has made him well-informed about investor expectations. Clement's commitment to projects that offer practical solutions, his passion for web and app development, animations, and his genuine concern for children led him to become a part of the LeapForLearning advisors. He was intrigued by the project's unique approach to transforming early education and saw it as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to this cause.
Advisor, Dr. Jaketra Bryant is a globally recognized Diversity Strategic Leadership Coach, Consultant, and Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive qualifications in Biology, Psychology Pre-medicine, a Master's in Community Counseling, and a Doctorate in Leadership. She has dedicated over a decade to empowering individuals and organizations in holistic life transformations, emphasizing mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Bryant's unwavering commitment guides clients through transformative journeys, addressing equity and inclusion matters. Her research and publications on issues like educational disparities and the transgenerational transmission of trauma have left a significant impact. She also directs outreach programs addressing human sex trafficking, showcasing her dedication to marginalized communities. Dr. Bryant's influence extends through training engagements at esteemed institutions and her literary contributions, fostering compassion across races and genders, and nurturing businesses from within.
Advisor, Kanchan Naryani is a multifaceted language expert and entrepreneur with over seven years of experience in English to Hindi translation and localization. As the owner of Augusten Plush Media, a multilingual translation business, she leads a team specializing in translation, subtitling, transcription, and content localization across various domains. Her academic journey includes a diploma in Jewellery Designing, after her Bachelor of Commerce, which adds a unique creative edge to her professional skill set. Kanchan's career is marked by significant contributions to prestigious clients. Her work extends beyond business operations, as she passionately engages in projects that bridge linguistic gaps and foster cultural understanding. Kanchan's dedication to her craft and her ability to adapt to the evolving demands of the translation industry make her a standout leader in the field.
Advisor, Emma, an accomplished Advisor hailing from China and a native Chinese speaker. Her linguistic capabilities extend to being bilingual, with fluency in both English and Mandarin. In addition to her language proficiency, she brings a wealth of expertise in Customer Support. She holds a degree in Tourism English and boast five years of extensive experience in translation across a spectrum of industries. Her translation services cover a wide array of content, including websites, Amazon listings, blogs, books, newspapers, magazines, documents, contracts, articles, user manuals, and more. She takes pride in delivering a professional and manual touch to every translation job.
