Harini Senthilvasan
CEO AND PRINCIPAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
Harini is a leader and a creator of delightful experiences who cares about children, especially those from under-resourced communities, and their early education. She is a Stanford-certified Design Thinking educator and Project Manager. With a Master's Degree in Engineering from Texas A&M University, she was a STEM professional in her previous career, where she had the privilege of working with dream teams that designed wireless technology solutions for Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Logitech, and more that disrupted communities worldwide.
Since 2015, her priority has shifted to early education, and she founded Marshmallow Minds, where she leads the curriculum design and education outreach programs with a vision to empower and transform the future of children across diverse communities.
Judy mol
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Judy is a STEAM facilitator with Marshmallow Minds since Fall 2022. Born and raised in East Side San Jose, Judy is a first generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Organismal Biology from California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, California. She has spent time rehabilitating wildlife with the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley and has worked with the City of San Jose Animal Care and Services as an Animal Care Attendant.
In addition to working in animal care, Judy has experience in digital marketing: managing and creating social media content for Biscuits Pet Boutique in Japantown San Jose and is an Outreach and Environmental Education volunteer with the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory. One of Judy’s goals is to become a better science communicator and help create more accessible science information for underrepresented BIPOC communities.
Jeehye lee
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Jeehye is a STEAM facilitator with Marshmallow Minds since 2019. Jeehye was born and raised in South Korea and lived in New Zealand throughout her high school. Later, she moved to the Bay Area, attended De Anza College, majoring in Interior Design, and transferred to San Jose State University to study Illustration.
Before joining Marshmallow Minds, Jeehye worked as a Teaching Assistant for a speech class at De Anza College. In addition, she taught art classes as an assistant at the Hooso Art Institute in Santa Clara in tandem. She also has experience teaching English to younger kids abroad.
ROHINI NAIK
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Rohini is an IDEO-U certified Design Thinking and STEAM facilitator with Marshmallow Minds since 2020. Her interactions with students during volunteering at school for design thinking developed her affinity for the program.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management and worked with various manufacturing companies in Chicago for designing products using 2D-3D modeling software.
She has volunteered with Project Cornerstone to help create healthy, responsible and caring environment for students. In the past, she has helped students with design modeling at a community college and assisted non-native adults to improve their english speaking and writing skills through an adult literacy program.
Alie victorine
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Alie is a retired educator who taught in the Franklin-McKinley School District for 28 years focusing most of her career in 6th grade. She earned a bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences from San Jose State University, and then her master's degree in science education focusing on how the learning of science and language arts positively affect the learning of both subjects. She was chosen to be in the first cadre of Tech Fellows for the Tech Museum of Innovation, creating extensive design challenge lessons integrating science, history, and language arts. For several years she was a lecturer at SJSU, teaching the science methods course to aspiring teachers. In 2022, she was honored to be chosen Teacher of the Year for her district.
Alie's philosophy of teaching has always been that hands-on equals minds-on and solving problems is an integral part of developing students' minds dovetails perfectly with Marshmallow Minds Design Thinking program and currently leads the Lego Robotics Biomimicry Design masterclass in Marshmallow Minds’ partner schools.
TUSHAR MOORTI
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Tushar is a technology leader with years of experience working in the fields of wireless communication and optical sensing after completing degrees from Stanford University and Stevens Institute of Technology. He began volunteering in his children's local elementary school since 2014, teaching math, science, and basic engineering both in-class as well as in after-school programs. Tushar believes that the Design Thinking approach of Marshmallow Minds gives students a more intuitive understanding to absorb STEM concepts more deeply.
Tushar is the creator of one of the most popular lessons among the students, Punkin Chunkin! Trebuchet Design, and leads the masterclass in Marshmallow Minds’ partner schools. By donating his time, talent, and treasure, Tushar plays a stellar role in shaping the education and community outreach program at Marshmallow Minds.
utthara shankar
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Utthara, originally from India, moved to the USA to pursue her Master's in Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. With over a decade of experience in R&D, Utthara has made significant contributions to both the health and wireless sectors. Her work in the health industry was primarily focused on user research for wrist-worn wearables.
Certified in Design Thinking by IDEO-U, Utthara is passionate about making a difference. She is a firm believer in the "Marshmallow Minds" approach, which aims to introduce design thinking to young children, helping them grasp STEAM concepts while having fun.
Utthara began her journey with Marshmallow Minds as a volunteer in early 2024. She now plays a pivotal role in aligning lessons with ELD standards to prepare children for future success.