Who we are
What I do
What I Do: I spark creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning—helping educators, organizations, and changemakers design better futures.
Why It Matters: Because the world needs bold thinkers, makers, and doers who are ready to shape what’s next.
Edward is a Principal Investigator at Project Zero (a research center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education) and the Founder & CEO of the Next World Learning Lab, a global learning and development organization dedicated to lifelong learning, worldmaking, and innovation. His work explores creativity, design, maker-centered learning, and new approaches to education and equity. Some of Edward’s recent books include The Participatory Creativity Guide for Educators; The Maker-Centered Learning Playbook for Early Childhood Education; Envisioning Innovation in Education—Hong Kong; Participatory Creativity; and Maker-Centered Learning.
Beyond Work: When I’m not worldmaking with others, you can find me futzing with unfinished home improvement projects, trying (and often failing) to grow vegetables in my backyard, woodworking in my garage, or visiting the beach year-round with my wife and two kids
What I do
What I Do: I help people think like designers, solve like entrepreneurs, and create like makers—turning ideas into action.
Why It Matters: Because the future belongs to those who imagine, build, and innovate—and I love helping others do just that.
Lisa is a career educator, curriculum designer, and innovation coach who specializes in entrepreneurial mindsets, design thinking, and maker-centered learning. Before becoming the Chief Innovator & Design Instigator of the Next World Learning Lab, she spent 15 years leading the STEAM program at Scarsdale High School (NY), designing an award-winning curriculum that won gold at the STEAMEX International Contest for innovation in education. She’s also a coach for IDEO’s Teachers Guild, co-instructor of Harvard’s Project Zero Maker-Centered Learning course, and a contributor to major curriculum projects, including the AP U.S. History course.
Beyond Work: When I’m not teaching, designing, or rethinking education, you’ll find me woodworking, painting, running, or paddleboarding. I split my time between New York and Vermont, where I cycle with my husband, swim in the lake, and make stuff with my family.
What I do
What I Do: I create spaces where learning, belonging, and culture intersect—helping people think deeply, connect authentically, and take meaningful action.
Why It Matters: Because the future isn’t just about what we know—it’s about how we learn, who we learn with, and how we grow together.
Yerko is a global educator, cultural strategist, and belonging advocate who works at the intersection of education, equity, and innovation. As the Director of Community Engagement and Belonging at Porter-Gaud School (Charleston, SC) and an instructional coach for Harvard’s Project Zero, he has trained teachers in 20+ countries, empowering them to rethink learning, design, and cultural competency. His work has been showcased at major national and international conferences, earning him recognition as a 2023 National Latino Leader Award recipient by the National Diversity Council.
Beyond Work: When I’m not leading transformative conversations, you can find me exploring global cultures, mentoring future leaders, or sharing stories over a great meal.
© 2025