Who We Are

Dr. Babak Mostaghimi

Partner

Babak is an educator and future readiness advocate. In his previous roles, he has led the creation of a community ecosystem for birth to age 5 early learning, developed AI and future readiness learning models, served as a defense contractor and executed continuous quality improvement. Babak leads our learning and change management strategies for H3. Previous roles include:

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, Asst. Superintendent
• Center for Education Innovation, Deputy Director
• Teacher, including District Teacher of the Year

Cassie Crockett

Managing Partner

Cassie has an impressive and diverse background across education, venture investing and strategic philanthropy. She brings a wealth of knowledge in venture impact investing to support the continued build out of LearnerStudio’s venture pipeline, process and investment strategy. She will lead organizational internal management and expands our strategic impact depth. Her most recent positions include:

• SALT Fund, Partner and Head of Finance and Operations
• Schmidt Futures, VP Talent Engine
• McKinsey & Company, Education practice
• Pearson, Efficacy and Research team

Courtney Garcia

Partner

Courtney is dedicated to ensuring that children and young people have access to what they need to thrive in school, work, and life. In her role as Partner with LearnerStudio, she helps to mobilize people, ideas, and resources toward the future of learning. She began her career in the social sector as an early team member with NewSchools Venture Fund, where she supported investments in innovative school models and educational tools. She then helped lead the development of new public schools through PUC and Aspire Public Schools. In her work with BELL, Peer Health Exchange, and The Primary School, she built and led rigorous, integrated approaches that support learning, growth, and healthy development. The daughter of two dedicated public school teachers, she has called the Bay Area home since arriving as a college freshman in 1995. Courtney holds a BA in Public Policy along with an MBA and MA in Education from Stanford University.

Emma White

Fundraising and Comms Specialist

Emma is making use of her Political Science and Philosophy degrees from the University of Dayton. Her work supports initiatives using robust executive support, interpersonal skills, and envisioning a more equitable world.

Emma thrives on teams whose mission focuses on creating meaningful impact. She contributes through intentional event planning, fostering a collaborative environment, and ensuring executive vision comes to fruition. With a commitment to continuous learning and an eye for solutions, she supports leadership and staff advancing strategic goals.

Gwen Baker

Venture Advisor

Gwen combines a background in the science of learning with over two decades of experience in  the uses of technology to advance ambitious learning and development goals. She has a diverse background as an entrepreneur, coach, advisor and senior leadership. Previous roles include:

• Mursion, Chief Learning Officer and Chief Customer Officer
• Bellwether Education Partners, Partner and Chief Operating Officer
• CoreSpring, CEO and Co-Founder (tech-enabled assessment item bank)
• NewSchools Venture Fund, Partner

Jess Post

Jess is a former school and district administrator with over a decade of experience in K-12 education, family advocacy, program management and nonprofit operations. Previous roles include:

• Chief Strategy Officer, Yakima School District: leading all COVID response efforts
• Managing Director of Programs, Families Empowered: creating and leading the country’s first multi-region family centered student application process
• Director of Grassroots Advocacy, building TN’s largest network of families, students and educators for choice and agency

Kim Smith

CEO and Founder

A catalyzer of leaders, ideas, and networks, Kim Smith is passionate about ensuring all of our young people have access to the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to thrive in life, careers and our diverse pluralistic democracy. She has developed an unparalleled network of leaders and change agents, and the proven ability to identify, inspire and activate entrepreneurs and innovators.

Kim has additionally founded and led:

• New Schools Venture Fund
• Bellwether
• Pahara
• Lone Rock
• BAYAC AmeriCorps
• Teach for America (founding team)

MaryKate Romagnoli

Senior Manager, Programs and Events

MaryKate Romagnoli is a lifelong learner who began her career as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and public school administrator before moving into systems-level work supporting educators, schools, and entrepreneurs. At LearnerStudio, she designs and facilitates dynamic learning experiences, manages complex projects, and advances strategic initiatives to shape the future of learning. MaryKate brings creativity, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to an equitable, joyful, and learner-centered future. She holds a BA in Economics from Tulane University and an MA in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Denver, and lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and young daughter.

Nickole Moore

Special Assistant to the CEO

Nickole Moore brings over two decades of experience supporting senior leaders across education, nonprofit, and corporate settings. As Special Assistant to the CEO at LearnerStudio, she combines strong organizational skills with a thoughtful, people-centered approach to ensure teams and leaders can focus on what matters most. Nickole is passionate about creating clarity, building trust, and helping organizations thrive. Her “why” is fueled by her love for her two grandchildren, and the promise of providing a more fair and equitable education experience for them.

Victor Reinoso

Entrepreneur in Residence

Victor Reinoso is an Entrepreneur in Residence at LearnerStudio, where he supports education ventures aligned with the future of learning. Victor was most recently the founding Global Director of Education Philanthropy at Amazon, where he launched the company’s first global education strategy and scaled its programs to reach millions of students. A seasoned entrepreneur and public leader, he has been COO of Independent Sector, founder of Hopscotch Ventures, co-founder of Viska.Bio, and Chair of National Service and Education Policy for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign. As Deputy Mayor of Washington, D.C., he led the city’s landmark public school reform under Mayor Adrian Fenty. He serves on numerous boards, is a Pahara Fellow and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and holds degrees from Georgetown and MIT.