Amelia Gambetti served as an educator in the Reggio Emilia Municipal Preschools for 25 years (1967–1992), working under the mentorship of Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach. During her tenure, she contributed to the creation and subsequent updates of The Hundred Languages of Children, the traveling exhibition showcasing the work of the Municipal Infant-Toddler Centers and Preschools of Reggio Emilia (1978–2000). She was also a member of the research group that developed the new exhibit, The Wonder of Learning: The Hundred Languages of Children.

From 1998 to 2016, Amelia served as the Reggio Children Coordinator of the Exhibits Project. She was also a visiting lecturer at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst during the 1992–1993 academic year. Between 1993 and 1997, she collaborated as Pedagogical Coordinator with the Model Early Learning Center (MELC) in Washington, D.C., a school serving the inner-city population and operated by The Capital Children’s Museum and the District of Columbia.

In North America, Amelia participated in the NAEYC Annual Conference from 1992 to 2015, as well as in numerous seminars, conferences, consulting engagements, and workshops across the United States and Canada. Her efforts included visits to over 300 schools in nearly 50 U.S. states. During this time, she also appeared on a CNN program discussing advanced education and the widespread interest the Reggio Emilia Approach had generated in the U.S.

Amelia was a member of the World Forum Foundation for Early Care Education Organizational Committee (1999–2013) and served on the NAREA Board (2002–2016). She was also a founding member of the NAREA organization. Since 1992, Amelia has led numerous professional development initiatives in Italy and internationally, including projects in North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa.

From 1997 to 2015, she held multiple roles at Reggio Children, including Coordinator, Projects Promotion and Development Lead, Co-Chair of the International Network Coordination, and member of the Advisory Board for the Istituzione Scuole e Nidi dell'Infanzia–Municipality of Reggio Emilia. She was also one of the coordinators of the Reggio Emilia Approach research project with Project Zero at Harvard University, which culminated in the book Making Learning Visible, to which Amelia contributed a chapter.

Currently, Amelia acts as a Reggio Emilia Liaison and consultant to schools inspired by the Reggio Approach, including L’Atelier School (Miami), St. John’s School (Washington, D.C.), Riverfield Country School (Oklahoma), Boulder Journey School (Colorado), MacDonald Montessori School (Minnesota), and First Presbyterian Nursery School (California). Between 2015 and 2019, she collaborated with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) on courses in partnership with USAC, a North American organization.

Amelia’s experiences have been widely documented in books, newsletters, and magazines in the United States and Northern Europe. Publications include The Hundred Languages of Children, In the Spirit of the Studio, Bringing Learning to Life, The Wonder of Learning Exhibit Catalogue, and magazines such as Rechild, Innovations, Exchange Magazine, and Reggio Emilia Institutet–Sweden Newsletter.

Barbie Perez is the Founder and Head of School at La Scuola, a progressive nature-based school in Miami, Florida, inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. Since its founding in 2006, La Scuola has been at the forefront of environmental education, serving young toddlers through 8th grade and earning multiple awards for environmental studies and research. The school has been recognized as an Environmental School of Excellence, solidifying its reputation as a leader in nature-based learning.

With a background in psychology and early childhood education, Barbie has been dedicated to the field of education for 25 years. Her passion for experiential, nature-driven learning has shaped La Scuola’s unique educational environment, where children engage in meaningful exploration, scientific inquiry, and environmental stewardship. Under her leadership, La Scuola continues to foster creativity, curiosity, and a deep connection to the natural world, inspiring the next generation of environmentally conscious learners.

Felipe Medina serves as the Board Chair of the Aspen Institute of Colombia and is an ex-officio trustee of the Aspen Institute. He is actively engaged in education and social impact, serving on the Board of Directors of Enseña por Colombia and as a member of the Global Advisory Council of Acumen. Additionally, he is the Chair of the Board of Directors of L’Atelier, a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool he co-founded with his wife, Simonetta. L’Atelier collaborates with various organizations to establish early education centers inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.

Felipe is also the founder and Board Chair of Filantropico, an initiative aimed at building a community of strategic philanthropists to promote collaboration and share best practices. The organization seeks to amplify effective social investments across Latin America. To this end, Felipe has extensively studied the successes and challenges of philanthropy in the United States and Europe, focusing on fostering a culture of strategic philanthropy in Latin America.

Felipe’s career began in 1990 at Goldman Sachs, where he managed assets for Latin American clients. From 2000 to 2003, he served as the regional director for Latin America’s private wealth management. Currently, he manages relationships with some of the region’s most influential families and individuals. Felipe is also a member of Goldman Sachs’ Private Wealth Philanthropy Advisory Committee and the Top Advisors Council.

He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jennifer Azzariti has dedicated the past 33 years to working with schools inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, with a particular focus on the culture of the atelier. Her journey began at the Model Early Learning Center, a cornerstone in the adoption of the Reggio Emilia Approach in the United States. A former NAREA board member and founding director of the DC Reggio Alliance, Jennifer continues to contribute as a member of its steering committee.

For nearly 25 years, she has served as the atelierista and Pedagogical Director at St. John's Preschool, where her work embodies her commitment to the Reggio Emilia principles. Jennifer holds a BA and MEd from Smith College, along with certificates in fine arts and ceramics from the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Northern Clay Center.

Molly brings 34 years of diverse experience in education, encompassing both teaching and administrative roles across local and international contexts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the Institute of Education at University College London.

A passionate advocate for the Reggio Emilia philosophy, Molly is an active member of the District of Columbia Reggio Emilia Alliance (DRCEA), the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Now in her seventh year with St. John's, Molly continues to apply her expertise and dedication to fostering high-quality educational experiences for young learners.

Nathalia Mesa has dedicated the past two decades to enhancing the early childhood development (ECD) ecosystem in Colombia. Her journey began in 2008 when she co-founded aeioTU, an innovative social enterprise that operates ECD centers inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, serving high-, middle-, and low-income communities. In a fragmented society with an underdeveloped education sector, aeioTU proved that high-quality ECD services can be accessible to all children, regardless of their background, while demonstrating the potential for innovative business models to sustain and scale such services.

Under Nathalia's leadership, aeioTU developed the Experiencia Educativa aeioTU curriculum, which earned recognition from the LEGO Foundation with the LEGO Prize for the Pedagogical Director. She also drove innovations in pedagogical materials, infrastructure, teacher training, and online solutions. aeioTU expanded its impact through partnerships with 13 cities, foundations, and multilateral organizations, benefiting thousands of children.

Nathalia’s contributions to social innovation earned her recognition as an Ashoka Fellow and the Jacobs Foundation Practice Award. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping aeioTU's scaling strategy, which continues to positively influence children worldwide.

Currently, Nathalia is a Policy Fellow at the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University, where she is launching GROW, a research hub designed to foster an international community of experts—economists, sociologists, child development specialists, psychologists, and neuroscientists—committed to applying their research to improve global ECD outcomes. GROW aims to enhance both the quality and accessibility of ECD opportunities for families and children worldwide.

Nathalia also co-founded morphy.fun, an edtech platform that combines community building, play, and technology to improve education quality in Latin America. Additionally, she works as a consultant with FamStudio, supporting the development of new ECD programs on a global scale.

Jennifer Kesselring has dedicated 32 years to early childhood education, with the past 27 years at Riverfield Country Day School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an independent school serving children from eight weeks old through twelfth grade. Throughout her tenure, she has held numerous roles, including classroom teacher, studio teacher, pedagogical coordinator, Division Head, and Head of Pedagogy and Strategic Innovation.

Jennifer is an accomplished author and presenter, having published several articles, contributed chapters to multiple books, and co-authored her first book, Curated Moments, which launched at NAEYC this fall. She regularly presents at national and international conferences, consults with schools and school districts, and designs and hosts professional development initiatives.

Jennifer has served in leadership roles on various boards and committees, including the North American Reggio Alliance Board, Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma Board, Tulsa Community College Advisory Council, International Infant Toddler Conference Planning Board, and the National Association for Gifted Children Curriculum Committee.

Currently, Jennifer is completing her Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction and is working on her dissertation. She and her husband, Kevin, have two children. Their daughter, Cailey, a Riverfield alumnus from the Class of 2014, lives in Connecticut, while their son, Caden, a Class of 2022 graduate, is studying pre-med and playing lacrosse at Monmouth University.

Jerry Bates has over 35 years of experience in education, spanning roles in higher education and independent schools. He has held various leadership positions, including in fundraising, admissions, and as Assistant Head. He currently serves as Head of School at Riverfield Country Day School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jerry holds an Ed.D ABD in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Supervision and is in the process of completing his doctoral dissertation.

A respected contributor to the field, Jerry has co-authored several articles and book chapters and is currently co-writing a book on the role of environment, materials, and inquiry as provocations for learning, set for publication in summer 2024. He also consults with schools and districts, mentors educational leaders, and delivers presentations at regional, national, and international levels.

Jerry is actively involved in leadership committees within the Independent School Association of the Southwest and is a dedicated member of Rotary. Outside of work, he enjoys quality time with his wife, Amy, and their three children. His son Austin, a Riverfield alumnus of the Class of 2017, and Braden, Class of 2019, have both graduated, while his daughter Caroline is currently a senior. The family cherishes time together, particularly boating and water sports. Jerry also enjoys ice hockey and golf in his leisure time.

Renata Araujo is a pedagogue, pedagogical coordinator, and consultant currently pursuing a PhD in Art and Education at UNESP. Her research focuses on professional development through art and visible thinking in teaching and learning processes. Renata is a specialist in the fields of "Visible Thinking," "Visible Learners," "Artful Thinking," and "A/r/tography," and she delivers lectures and professional development programs on these topics in Brazil and Portugal.

She has served as a pedagogical consultant for São Paulo’s municipal education network, providing professional development for Early Childhood Education management teams. Renata also teaches extension and postgraduate courses for teachers and pedagogical coordinators at various institutions and is the creator of the ComPosição: Formação project, dedicated to continuing professional development.

Renata is a member of The Good Project Brasil, a research initiative in collaboration with Howard Gardner that promotes ethics, excellence, and engagement in education. She also collaborates on research with Simonetta Cittadini, founder of L’Atelier School in Florida, which is inspired by Reggio Emilia principles. Together, they engage with educators from diverse contexts to reflect on the types of schools needed in today’s world.

Renata is an accomplished speaker, having presented at conferences in Brazil, the United States, Canada, and Portugal on the intersection of art and learning. She is also a co-author of books and articles published in Brazil and Portugal. Additionally, she served as the technical reviewer for the Brazilian edition of Attentive Look: How to Encourage Students to Learn Through Observation by Shari Tishman, contributing the book’s introductory text for its 2024 release.

Roberta Pucci is an atelierista, art therapist, and creativity consultant from Italy. Since the early 2000s, she has led training courses for educators and teachers on the creative use of artistic, natural, and recycled materials, collaborating with social cooperatives and municipalities.

Roberta has worked as an atelierista in a preschool and at the Loris Malaguzzi Center in Reggio Emilia. Drawing on her design background, the Reggio Emilia approach, and art therapy, she offers creative workshops and collaborates with international institutions to help individuals and groups express their unique potential through the creative process using materials.

She is the author of Laboratorio creativo con la carta and co-author of A spasso con una linea and Strano, stranissimo!. Roberta has also translated The Spirit of Matter and The Good Enough Studio by Nona Orbach from English to Italian.

Learn more about her work at www.robertapuccilab.com or follow her on Instagram at @robertapuccilab.

Simonetta Cittadini, founder, owner, and Executive Director of L’Atelier School and the Center for the Culture of Creativity (CCC) in Miami, Florida, has spent over 30 years transforming early childhood education through the Reggio Emilia philosophy. With a background in Psychology, Education, and Art, her journey has been shaped by a multicultural upbringing across Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States. Educated in the French system, she developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and speaks five languages fluently.

In 1995, driven by her passion for creativity, identity, and human potential, Simonetta founded L’Atelier as an art workshop, which quickly evolved into Florida’s first Reggio-inspired preschool. Now celebrating 30 years, L’Atelier remains a pioneering institution where she continues to serve as head of school, mentor, and atelierista.

As a mother of four—Giulia, Luca, Lucia, and Piero—adopted as newborns from FANA, Simonetta believes childhood is a transformative force in society. Her work emphasizes inclusion, family participation, creativity, learning, and knowledge integration. Over the past three decades, she has redefined the relationship between teaching and learning, developing a holistic professional and personal development program for educators and families.

Simonetta has played a pivotal role in expanding the Reggio Emilia movement in Miami, organizing The Hundred Languages of Children exhibit in 2005 and The Wonder of Learning exhibit in 2015, significantly strengthening the Reggio community in South Florida. Since 1997, she has been an active participant in Reggio Emilia Study Groups, maintaining a close collaboration with Reggio Children and consultant Amelia Gambetti. She is a founding member of NAREA, has served as Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee, and currently presides over the Florida Reggio Collaborative.

Beyond Miami, she has consulted for schools across Latin America, including KLA Schools, Composiçao Formaçao (Brazil), and aeioTU (Colombia), a nonprofit initiative by Fundación Carulla dedicated to early childhood education.

In 2017, she founded the Center for the Culture of Creativity (CCC) to expand L’Atelier’s mission, offering ateliers, talks, exhibits, and creative experiences for all ages. Today, the CCC is fully integrated within L’Atelier, enriching the school’s environment and community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Simonetta’s approach to education proved essential in fostering innovative learning environments at home. Since then, she has been invited to share her evolving vision of education and creativity across North and South America.

Simonetta has documented her journey through various publications and is currently writing her first book. Her lifelong work is dedicated to demonstrating how creativity drives social change, reaffirming that innovative education is the key to a more inclusive and dynamic future.

Sylvia De Armas brings over 20 years of experience in the construction and real estate industry, a background that honed her leadership and business acumen. Her journey into education began through her deep involvement in her children’s learning experiences, where she discovered a passion for early childhood education. This pivotal realization inspired Sylvia to redefine her career path, focusing on what constitutes high-quality education in early childhood development.

During her educational journey, Sylvia encountered The Hundred Languages of Children Exhibit presented by L’Atelier, where she met Simonetta Cittadini. This encounter solidified her commitment to the Reggio Emilia Approach, which became the guiding philosophy for the school she envisioned. In 2013, Sylvia founded Bottega Child Development Center, a Reggio Emilia-inspired school dedicated to fostering children’s natural curiosity and capability.

Under Sylvia's leadership, Bottega serves children aged 14 months to 7 years, with a program capacity of 66 children. The school emphasizes experiential learning, where children are seen as protagonists of their own education, supported by teachers, families, and their community. Bottega also features a dual-language program in Spanish and English, complemented by enrichment activities in music, dance, and soccer. The center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), further affirming its commitment to quality.

Sylvia holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida, a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Florida International University, and an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Education from Miami Dade College.

As a dedicated advocate for early childhood education, Sylvia serves as an elected Board Member at Large for the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC) for the 2024–2026 term. She has also contributed to the FLAEYC Finance Committee (2025) and founded and chairs the Business Development Committee (2025).

Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Miami, Florida, Sylvia is deeply connected to her heritage and family. She is a devoted wife, mother to her two children, Rafael and Cristina, and proud grandmother of four: Arlen (5), Austin (2 months), Pia (2), and Rafael (2 months).

Sylvia’s work continues to reflect her passion for creating meaningful, high-quality early childhood experiences that empower children to thrive in their learning journeys and beyond.