2024 JUDGES
JUSTIN COOKE
Advisor, Investor and Entrepreneur
Justin Cooke is a seasoned advisor, investor, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the media, marketing, and education technology sectors. He founded the global digital agency Fortune Cookie, which he grew to $30 million in revenue before its acquisition by WPP in 2012. After WPP, Justin joined Northzone, a high-profile technology investor in companies like Spotify, TrustPilot, and Kahoot! He also served as Vice Chair of UNICEF UK and as Deputy Chairman of FutureLearn, where he played a key role in securing a £50 million fundraise in 2019. Justin's expertise extends to the boards of innovative education technology companies, including Tapestry, Kapow Primary, Digital Theatre, Learning with Experts, Bridge Learning Technology, and Springpod. His contributions to the digital landscape have earned him recognition as one of the UK's top digital influencers, with accolades including listings in the Wired Top 100 and the British Digital Hall of Fame. Holding a degree in Drama from the University of Manchester, Justin currently resides in Abu Dhabi with his family.
DR. KELLI ERWIN
Director of Education, Learning.com
With more than 20 years in education as a classroom (K-2), tech apps (K-5) and GT (K-5) teacher, district administrator for instructional technology (K-12), professional development trainer, education services manager, instructional design manager, and product owner, Kelli has a passion for understanding how we learn. Dr Erwin keeps her focus on the science behind learning, best practices for pedagogy and andragogy and best practices for delivering virtual and in-person learning opportunities. Her current focus is in the K-12 learning space.
SIYANDA SHAZI
Social Media Manager at EVG, Entrepreneur, Strategist | CEO of Green Beauty Cosmetics
Siyanda Shazi is a creative working in advertising with 5 years of agency experience. He founded a sustainable and eco-friendly skin care business called Green Beauty Cosmetics Pty Ltd. His skill set combines content, social, and innovation. He holds a photography qualification from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town. Having a love for education, he was in a yearlong Harvard University program and obtained a qualification in Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies. Siyanda is a Start Up School Alumni, his education was a sponsorship from Investec for Entrepreneurship Program, where he learnt about scaling his first business. Amongst his passion projects are various NGOs and volunteer work done with the SAPS Youth Network. He currently works as a Social Media Manager in the social video space with South Africa’s most loved brands. A synergy of digital education coupled with an understanding of culture, is evident is Siyanda’s life story. His arsenal of skills include: Brand Management, Sustainability Development, Strategy, Content Production, Digital Marketing, Social Media, Project Management, Thought Leadership and Business Management.
CHARLIE ROSIER
Co-Founder & CEO of Babbu
Babbu is the UK’s first online platform designed to support, reassure and empower parents and their children in the first critical few years. Driven by a simple but ambitious vision: a world in which no child is left behind.
Proven founder; over the last decade Charlie has built multiple businesses from startups to globally recognised, award-winning brands. As a passionate and driven leader, she has grown teams across numerous markets including; London, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur.
Prior to Babbu, Charlie owned and managed Cuckooz Nest – a totally flexible, PAYG nursery with onsite workspace, designed to make childcare more affordable for parents whilst also allowing them to be present during the first 1,001 days.
A mother of one, advocate for change within the Early Years sector, and a UN Delegate on the Commission on the Status of Women, Charlie regularly contributes to the media on the topic of gender equality, working parents, child development and how technology can help close the attainment gap.
ARNIDA JAHYA
Senior Lecturer
​Experienced Lecturer with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in training, research, human resource development and entrepreneurship. As a senior lecturer in Human Resource Management, she is responsible for delivering curriculum, conducting research, and providing academic and professional guidance to students. In addition to her academic work, she is committed to making a positive impact on the community through various collaborations with government agencies, industrial players, and alumni. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Human Resource Management at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.
THOMAS LANGE
Head of Digital at Alpha Plus Group
Thomas is a senior school leader with over 20 years of experience in schools supporting and implementing the digital transformation journey. As a frequent contributor to conferences, workshops and industry events, he has been at the forefront of developments within education. He has worked with senior management, teachers and pupils to create a digital ecosystem that allowed everybody to excel through good use of EdTech. He led his previous school to be awarded the Microsoft Showcase School for four consecutive years with all teaching staff members qualifying as Microsoft Innovative Educators. The use of assistive technology is of particular interest to Thomas. He championed the use of technology in public examinations for a number of years. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society the Arts and the Chartered College of Teaching.
LIZ JORGENSEN, M.Ed.
​Student Affairs Professional, Adult Learning And Higher Education, Access to Education Advocate, Certified Career Coach
A lifelong learner, higher education professional and Academic Advisor, Liz, currently works in higher education supporting students in bachelor's degree programs using the Appreciative Advising framework to enhance the student experience and support access to education. A first-generation college student, Liz, is an advocate for access to education and enjoys that her current work allows her to serve a diverse population of first-year students and adult learners. Online degree programs bring both options and flexibility to support workplace success and career mobility for students. In addition to her current role assisting students, she serves as a course facilitator for the Appreciative Advising online course through the Office of Appreciative Education at Florida Atlantic University.
BIAGIO CHIANESE
Head of Acquisition EPICODE
Biagio is an expert in lead acquisition for schools and universities. In 2016 he started his career in this field with Rome Business School, a project by Planeta Formación y Universidades, one of the largest European groups in the industry. After two years as Marketing Manager for Quasar Institute for Advanced Design he’s now Head of Acquisition at EPICODE, a career accelerator based in Italy.
BALAZS KOREN
Mathematics teacher, EdTech advisor, entrepreneur, digital education evangelist
Balazs Koren is a distinguished figure in the realm of digital education, with a rich blend of practical and entrepreneurial experience. As a mathematics teacher and teacher trainer at ELTE University, Balazs empowers future educators with the tools of digital education. As the head of the ProSuli program at Yettel Hungary, he champions the innovative use of technology, encouraging teachers to integrate EdTech solutions into their curricula. Balazs' commitment to advancing educational methods is further demonstrated by his valuable contributions to GeoGebra. His former role as the Head of Education and Founder of VR-AR Education displays his entrepreneurial spirit and profound knowledge of the EdTech landscape. Balazs started preparing teams for robotics competitions and later became a judge, too. He has been judging and coaching WRO, FLL and FGC competitions at international and local levels for more than 8 years.
ANDY LUMLEY
Head of Learning Technology, MEI (Mathematics. Education. Innovation. A UK Maths charity).
After a twenty-year career as a high school maths teacher in the UK and NZ, Andy joined MEI in April 2001 as Head of Learning Technology. Throughout his teaching career, he was a tech adopter in his classroom and became EdTech lead at two schools. He was a Google Certified Educator Level 2 and a Certified Google Trainer as well as a Microsoft Certified Educator. At MEI, his main responsibility is running Integral, MEI's online learning platform for A-level Maths and Further Maths. Andy is a co-host of a successful podcast for maths educationalists called Digging For The Why and is always looking for innovation in education that can make a pedagogical difference.