Dr. Leah Hanes, Ph.D.

Dr. Leah Hanes, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Leah Hanes, Ph.D.

Dr. Leah Hanes, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer

Our CEO, Dr. Leah Hanes, brings a unique set of professional and personal experiences to her role at Two Bit Circus Foundation. Beginning her career in Toronto, Leah produced and hosted an award-winning television series profiling women in non-traditional roles. This led her to Los Angeles, where she appeared on-camera conducting interviews and hosting a variety of programs covering environmental issues, business and politics.

She eventually segued into other areas of the entertainment industry, notably as the President of a boutique talent agency representing Academy Award-winning cinematographers, editors and production designers. She also spent several years owning and running an acting school for children and teens, during a period she describes as her “empty nest” adjustment.

Her early life on a farm in Canada nurtured a strong sense of environmental stewardship while her first college experience was in Early Childhood Education, illuminating a solid direction to follow in her recent academic endeavors. Dr. Hanes holds a Masters degree in Organizational Management as well as a PhD from the Graduate School of Leadership and Change at Antioch University

All of these variables lead to a confluence of skills and knowledge that fit perfectly into the Two Bit Circus Foundation ecosystem.

Mindy Sanchez

Mindy Sanchez

Chief Operating Officer
Mindy Sanchez

Mindy Sanchez

Chief Operating Officer

Mindy discovered the wonderful world of creative reuse warehouses while studying Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration at San Francisco State University. As part of her thesis on Nonprofits in Human Services, Mindy teamed up with a local creative reuse center called SCRAP to develop their educational resource program in partnership with San Francisco Unified School District. During her time with SCRAP, Mindy helped establish the nonprofit as a free resource for Bay Area teachers, and was able to secure a grant to fund monthly workshops designed specifically for educators.

Once back in her hometown of Los Angeles, Mindy continued her support of educational nonprofits through an Operations position at Kidspace Children’s Museum. When she finally found Two Bit Circus Foundation (then known as Trash for Teaching) Mindy was able to combine her experience in Nonprofit Operations with her passion for upcycling to carry on the mission of environmental stewardship through alternative education.

Mya Stark

Mya Stark

Director of Community Learning
Mya Stark

Mya Stark

Director of Community Learning

Mya Stark is from Culver City and started out as a filmmaker, writing movies for studios like Disney, Warner Bros, and Paramount. Next, she edited an arts and culture magazine. Then, she began working in nonprofits, as well as founding an art gallery that focused on relational art. Now she applies those experiences to making LA Makerspace a tool people can use to help each other learn anything (even if they are not experts, “techies,” or educators — but also if they are). She likes learning about neuroscience and art the most, because they are such powerful ways to “hack the human brain” and open up more possibilities, freedom, and fun! Mya and the LA Makerspace LAMBOT have never been seen in the same place at the same time.

Michael Lusk

Michael Lusk

Director of Curriculum Development & Engagement
Michael Lusk

Michael Lusk

Director of Curriculum Development & Engagement

Michael first began working with Two Bit Circus Foundation through the LAUSD SIG partnership while teaching for LAUSD. It did not take long for Michael to delve into the material frenzy. After seven years of teaching high school Science, Engineering and Robotics courses using 2BCF materials, supporting and mentoring new teachers through CSUDH TTT & STAR Programs Michael now brings his unique skill set and passion for the classroom to the 2BCF Team. Michael’s passion and focus is to bring quality cross-curricular and educational experiences to develop holistic and passionate students.

Michael holds a B.S. Mechanical Engineering, membership to Tau Beta PI Honor Society, a B.A. Philosophy from CSUN, California Teaching Credential Single Subject Credential in Physics, and has been trained in Curriculum & Instruction with emphasis in science and student centered learning.

Whit Wagner

Whit Wagner

Director of Communications & Marketing
Whit Wagner

Whit Wagner

Director of Communications & Marketing

A Denver native, Whit joined Two Bit Circus Foundation full-time in 2018 after more than a decade as a nonprofit communications consultant. Consulting highlights included building NASA's online streaming music platform and authoring a library of bespoke social media content for the CW Network.

At 2BCF, Whit designs all external communications and marketing efforts. He also manages a portfolio of the organization's major programs including the Games for Change Student Challenge and The Cardboard Challenge. Whit holds an MA in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University and studied Digital Communication & Marketing at the Yale School of Management.

Elizabeth Guillen

Elizabeth Guillen

Operations Manager
Elizabeth Guillen

Elizabeth Guillen

Operations Manager
Elliott Hanes

Elliott Hanes

Education & Outreach Manager
Elliott Hanes

Elliott Hanes

Education & Outreach Manager

Elliott Hanes is a producer, singer, and songwriter with the Hip Hop band, Bend and Peel. He is also the Education & Outreach Manager at the Two Bit Circus Foundation and is leading our program for digital music production.
www.bendandpeel.com

Kate Le

Kate Le

Program Coordinator
Kate Le

Kate Le

Program Coordinator

Kate has traveled all the way from across the pond, earned a BFA in Drama, and started her journey in a different part of the circus. While working as a game show host at the Two Bit Micro Amusement Park, Kate was able to connect with the 2BC Foundation and fell in love with what the foundation has to offer the Los Angeles community. She has found herself as a facilitator of playful learning and the biggest fangirl (aka assistant) of Dr. Leah Hanes. When she is not an imagination sparker, Kate likes to sing show tunes to her soul cat, Poseidon

Juan Mora

Juan Mora

Warehouse Assistant
Juan Mora

Juan Mora

Warehouse Assistant
Jorge Cardenas

Jorge Cardenas

Warehouse Assistant
Jorge Cardenas

Jorge Cardenas

Warehouse Assistant
Victoria Rose

Victoria Rose

Makerspace Manager
Victoria Rose

Victoria Rose

Makerspace Manager

Victoria is an experienced makerspace specialist with a diverse background in machine fabrication, holding degrees in Mathematics, Public Health, and Engineering from Tulane University. With a diverse skill set encompassing glassblowing, woodworking, music engineering, and more, Victoria embraces new challenges eagerly, exemplifying their interdisciplinary approach to project management. With 8 years of experience, Victoria is committed to delivering meaningful STEAM content within Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and beyond. Their dedication to safety, inclusivity, and innovative project management ensures everyone feels valued and empowered in the makerspace. Victoria advocates for equality in education, contributing to hundreds of teachers’ and thousands of students' access to inclusive makerspace programming. Victoria's commitment to lifelong learning and interdisciplinary exploration drives them in developing inclusive, educational programming for all.

Victoria exemplifies inclusivity. Their commitment to cultural diversity extends beyond mere acknowledgment to active promotion and integration within the makerspace. They recognize that diverse perspectives foster innovation and creativity, enriching the learning experience for everyone involved. By championing respect and understanding, Victoria cultivates an environment where individuals feel empowered to share their unique insights and ideas, contributing to a vibrant and dynamic community of learners. Having lived in various locales such as New Jersey, New Delhi, New Orleans, Copenhagen, and now settling in Los Angeles, Victoria brings a rich cultural perspective to their work. Through their actions and advocacy, Victoria exemplifies the values of inclusivity and cultural competence, ensuring the makerspace is a welcoming and inspiring space for all. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to community empowerment, Victoria remains a driving force for positive change in the educational landscape and will continuously advocate for equality.

Renee Cobb

Renee Cobb

Academic Advisor & Educational Coach
Renee Cobb

Renee Cobb

Academic Advisor & Educational Coach

Renée Cobb has served in secondary schools for over 22 years as a teacher, counselor, school administrator, and district administrator in Lynwood, Compton, and Beverly Hills Unified School Districts. In addition, she spent over 5 years as an adjunct professor in the Counseling Department at Santa Monica College, and as a community college counselor for the Los Angeles Community College District. She has also utilized her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy working with individuals ranging from school-age children to adults within the court system. Renée loves helping people and families untangle the “ropes” of life in order to stand up and create positive change in their lives.

Prior to her career in the field of education, Renée spent time working in large tech companies such as IBM, Digital Equipment Corporation and Hewlett Packard as a Marketing Account Manager. While at Digital she volunteered to spearhead the Community Relations Committee and it was in this capacity that they adopted a school in Los Angeles Unified School District and began the journey of building the confidence of the teaching staff through computer tech training. Presently Renée serves on a governing board of an EdTech company. This type of broad work experience provides Renée with an opportunity to continue to engage her love for students, teachers, and schools, and to better understand what the community needs to help families.

Renée’s current passion is helping new administrators clear their preliminary credential by working as an Administrator Coach for the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Dan Reding

Dan Reding

Makerspace Education Specialist
Dan Reding

Dan Reding

Makerspace Education Specialist

Dan is a veteran teacher with 12 years in the classroom. He taught multiage elementary, middle school math and science, and middle school engineering classes in Los Angeles and San Diego. Dan is originally from the Chicago area and moved to SoCal after college.

Dan is a strong proponent of constructivist teaching and project based learning in all aspects of teaching, but especially STEAM disciplines. He is skilled at classroom management of students as well as adults during professional developments.

Dan also is a maker and content creator. He posts about his maker and gardening journey on IG @dandys_farmla from his home-based urban farm and makerspace. He has a full woodshop with multiple 3D printers, laser cutters, and a DIY CNC. He would love to chat about gardening or making and he wants to help make your making dreams a reality!

Board Of Directors

Brent Bushnell is the Chairman of our Board and also the Chairman and Co-Founder of Two Bit Circus, a Los Angeles-based experiential entertainment company. The interdisciplinary team strives to create immersive, social fun and is building a network of micro-amusement parks featuring free-roam VR, social games, an interactive supper club and more. Awards include Clio, Cannes Lions, and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Game Company. Past projects include huge viral stunts and activations for brands like the NFL, NBA, and the Olympics. The company regularly serves as immersive entertainment partners for brands and location-based facilities. Previously, Brent was the on-camera inventor for the ABC show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He was a founding member of the creative collective that created stunts for brands like Google and Disney and helped OK Go build the Rube Goldberg machine for their viral This Too Shall Pass music video that garnered 50+ million views on YouTube. He is a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow and enjoys mentoring in entrepreneurship. He’s a supporter of Clowns Without Borders and publishes on Twitter @brentbushnell.

Dave Zobel

Dave Zobel

Vice President
Dave Zobel

Dave Zobel

Vice President

Dave Zobel, Board Vice President, is a Cal Tech Alumni and a science writerHe describes himself as: “Half-bithead, half-executive, half-writer, half-wit: Possessing that rare ability to get down in the trenches with the researchers and the coders (being one myself), defend them to upper management and clients, and explain what they do to the outside world.” Zobel was the developer of the first Science Kits that changed the focus of T4T materials from use in Art alone to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) education. He joined the Board in 2011He is coordinator of External Events for T4T.

Marcella Klein Williams

Marcella Klein Williams

Board Member

Dr. Marcella Klein Williams has hopscotched across the entire system of public education from preschool to university in a multitude of roles spanning teacher, director, president and chief. Her career has focused on STEAM teaching and learning. She has been called a thought leader, innovator, mentor, facilitator, and systems thinker. She always answers if called teacher.

Celeste Anlauf

Celeste Anlauf

Board Member
Celeste Anlauf

Celeste Anlauf

Board Member

Celeste Anlauf is currently the Director of Donor Relations at Para Los Niños. Previously, Celeste was the Major Gifts Officer at the Exceptional Children’s Foundation, a 25 million dollar non-profit that has been improving that lives of people with special needs since 1946. Prior to that she planned and launched St. Paul the Apostle’s $20 million capital campaign—the first comprehensive campaign in the School’s 75-year history.

Francisco Arechiga

Francisco Arechiga

Board Member
Francisco Arechiga

Francisco Arechiga

Board Member

Francisco Arechiga has eight years’ experience related to U.S. and China cross-border business and cultural exchange and is involved in tri-sector projects in arts and culture, civic engagement, education and economic development in Los Angeles. Previously, he worked for four years in the department of public education at the Yunnan Provincial Museum in Kunming and is fluent in Mandarin.

Malik Ducard

Malik Ducard

President
Malik Ducard

Malik Ducard

President

Malik Ducard recently joined as the Chief Content Officer of Pinterest.

Prior to joining Pinterest, Malik was VP of Content Partnerships at YouTube, where he oversaw business development efforts for the platform’s Learning, Social Impact, Family, Film & TV partnership areas. Prior to joining YouTube, he served as senior vice president of digital distribution for the Americas at Paramount Pictures and oversaw distribution of content to digital platforms.

Prior to Paramount, Malik led Lionsgate's Home Entertainment Acquisitions group, executive produced a stand-up comedy series for Showtime, led MGM's Home Entertainment's Acquisitions and Business Development division, and drove several successful new business pitches at Young & Rubicam Advertising in New York.

A native of the Bronx, Malik earned his B.A. degree from Columbia University and his MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management. He currently serves on the Los Angeles Mayor's Council on Technology and Innovation, is on the board of the Digital Diversity Network, and is Board President of Two Bit Circus Foundation, a non-profit organization that brings STEAM education to youth throughout LA.

Malik is also author of "Henry's Big Win"​, winner of the Jessie Redmon Fauset Award for Best Children's Book. 🙂

Sebastien Slek

Sebastien Slek

Treasurer
Sebastien Slek

Sebastien Slek

Treasurer
Nirvan Mullick

Nirvan Mullick

Founder, Imagination
Nirvan Mullick

Nirvan Mullick

Founder, Imagination

Nirvan is an LA based filmmaker, creative consultant, speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Imagination.org. Nirvan began teaching himself animation while studying philosophy at New College. He went on to earn an MFA in Experimental Animation from CalArts. Nirvan’s animated short films have screened in festivals worldwide, winning numerous awards. In 2001, Nirvan began an ongoing collaborative experiment called The 1 Second Film, which became among the first crowdfunded films. In 2012, Nirvan directed Caine’s Arcade, an 11-minute short film that became a viral phenomenon, receiving over 8 million views and sparking a global movement of cardboard creativity in kids around the world. Nirvan has received the Dan Eldon Creative Activist Award and the Innovation in Action award. Nirvan is a partner at Interconnected, consults with companies and non-profits, serves on the board of CicLAvia, and tries to keep up with his garden and email.

Scott Curran

Scott Curran

Board Member
Scott Curran

Scott Curran

Board Member

Scott counsels leaders of social enterprises in developing social impact strategies, growing organizational capacity, and creating projects, programs, and partnerships that achieve measurable results.

Scott founded Beyond Advisers to work with social innovators, nonprofits, philanthropists, governments, and private sector leaders to design and build their organizations and initiatives for impact. He teaches and lectures on the role of lawyers in social innovation, advises law schools in developing social impact clinical practices, and consults with law firms to develop social impact practice groups. Crain’s Chicago Business called the class he teaches one of “the coolest classes for law students.”

Prior to starting Beyond Advisers, Scott served as General Counsel for the Clinton Foundation. During a decade of service to the Clinton Foundation, Scott established, grew, and led the legal team that supported a global operating charity with over 2,000 staff and volunteers working in 36 countries on more than a dozen initiatives. Scott led the team of in-house professionals and outside firms that created the organizational and operational structures that supported the Clinton Foundation’s board, enterprise systems, and program teams during their most prolonged and intensive period of growth.

In supporting the program work of the Clinton Foundation’s initiatives, Scott counseled dynamic leaders and teams in developing partnerships designed to spur social and economic change around the world. These partnerships spanned the areas of global health, climate change, international development, commercial agriculture, supply chain innovation, childhood obesity, small business mentoring, post-disaster relief, globally-focused conferences, and museum and special event operations.

As a corporate attorney prior to his time with the Clinton Foundation, and as a graduate of the first program in the U.S. to offer a master’s degree in public service, Scott has advised new endeavors and established enterprises working to change the world. From programs working with sweet potato growers in the Mississippi Delta and cashew farmers in India to private sector startups and nonprofit spinoffs, Scott’s work has equipped him with deep knowledge of legal, program, and organizational operations.

With his background in public service, law, and communications, Scott is motivated by the possibility and promise that bold ideas can be transformed into action to change lives and communities in new, specific, and measurable ways. He spends some of the best parts of his days being inspired by his wife, two kids, and rescue dogs, including Miss Tommie, who is blind, deaf, and awesome!

Tara Tiger Brown

Tara Tiger Brown

Founder Emerita, LA Makerspace
Tara Tiger Brown

Tara Tiger Brown

Founder Emerita, LA Makerspace

Currently a graduate student at UBC Faculty of Forestry based in Vancouver. I research and write about forest therapy, wellness and build collaborations with organizations that focus on environmental monitoring. My newsletter “More Trees Please” explores science, technology, politics, art, and therapy and how they are all connected through forest spaces. The Interest Driven Life project explores how we can revolve our lives around our interests instead of fitting them into our ever decreasing spare time. I’m a passionate advocate for the more-than-human world and support efforts to protect ecosystems and species that are under threat.

As founder and CEO of KitHub, I developed STEAM education programs that focus on hands-on learning and environmental monitoring in formal and informal learning spaces. I co-founded the Los Angeles Makerspace, a nonprofit partnered with the LA Public Library in over 70 branches to facilitate hands-on workshops for kids in robotics, coding, e-textiles, and stop-motion animation. I co-founded the interest-driven learning startup Connected Camps and held the role of Technology Director for the Digital Media Learning Research Hub at UC Irvine.

I’ve been a regular columnist for Forbes and have spoken at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Archer School for Girls, The White House, Caltech, SXSW, OSCON, MozFest, IFFF, Imagination Foundation, Rhizome, on topics ranging from women in tech, STEAM, DIY and following passions and interests.

Joe Zenas

Joe Zenas

Board Member
Joe Zenas

Joe Zenas

Board Member

Joe’s leadership has been instrumental in building Thinkwell’s reputation as a company that deals masterfully with many of the world’s most cherished brands and intellectual properties. Whether he’s addressing the concerns of Warner Bros. and the author of Harry Potter or those of cultural institutions like the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Joe advocates for the priorities and values of Thinkwell’s clients as they strategically expand.

Liz Heller

Liz Heller

Board Member
Liz Heller

Liz Heller

Board Member

Liz Heller is a tech and media innovator, entrepreneur, investor, and producer.

With a career in cultural creation, global brand marketing, and social good, Liz is a digital alchemist working at the nexus of tech, culture, brand, community, and purpose.

Recognized by USA Today as the “godmother” of the women’s cyber movement in Hollywood, Liz’s award-winning career spans technology, entertainment, film, and music.

She’s architected growth and engagement for clients such as TOMS, Product(RED), and early-stage startups and projects such as Tim Kring’s Conspiracy For Good. She has brought her brand marketing and strategic visioning to companies and organizations ranging from Microsoft, Intel, Apple, Pepsi, Coca-Cola to the LA Tech Council and LA Clean Energy Incubator.

Her music career includes leadership roles at MCA, Island Records and as an EVP of Capitol Records, at the time when music, audio and the Internet converged. She oversaw artist development and shaped industry-first issues for multimedia content around monetization, legal protections, and strategic partnerships with tech and entertainment companies.

Her producing credits include the feature film The Basketball Diaries, TV and concert films including New Orleans Live! and the soundtrack for Good Will Hunting.

Liz is currently a managing partner at memBrain where she leads teams in marketing innovation and creative, strategic advisory, and incubates and invests in early-stage startups and products.

Liz is a life-long connector of people, who is proud to call a global constellation of change agents and industry leaders her friends. Committed to manifesting positive impact, Liz is a sought after keynote speaker, and moderator and produces and co-hosts weekly private and public industry webinars and conversation series around the world.

Dr. Dijanna Figueroa, Ph.D.

Dr. Dijanna Figueroa, Ph.D.

Board Member

Dr. Dijanna Figueroa has made a career of exploring the mysteries of the deep. She was featured in James Cameron’s documentary Aliens of the Deep, which follows Cameron and NASA scientists as they explore the some of the deepest parts of the ocean and learn about the unique life forms that inhabit those spaces. Recently, Figueroa has become an advocate for STEAM education—adding art and design to the science, technology, engineering, and math equation. She’s spent more than two decades teaching STEAM to grades K–8 in the greater Los Angeles area, formerly served as global director of the Muse School National Geographic Society’s Green STEAM program and has advisory roles with many STEM/STEAM nonprofits. She was recently featured on MTV’s Women Crush Wednesdays Women in STEM series. If that isn’t enough, Figueroa is the director of the Lucas Scholars STEM program, a community based social justice and equity program designed to engage young people in science, engineering, design, and art. She loves the ocean, art, and exploration and is committed to making science, technology, art, engineering, math, and music accessible to all people.

Junior Advisory Board

Evelyn Calderon
Evelyn started volunteering back in 2015 when we were still T4T. In 2016 she accepted the task of recruiting our first ever Junior Board from several schools in the area. They met weekly and were tasked with advising us on our outreach and volunteer relations.

Caine Monroy
Caine joined us when imagination joined forces. His early work with Caine’s arcade while many people are showcasing creativity and STEAM – his main focus and emphasis he likes to show with his cardboard work is entrepreneurship and business through the use of innovation and creativity.

Mario Gonsalez-Gomez
Mario joined the team back in 2018 when he was still in high school. By then the Junior Board was working on reviewing and updating our programs for older students, so Mario’s interest in engineering and technology was a perfect fit.

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