Meet our
We knew from the very beginning that choosing our franchise owners would be one of the most important decisions we had to make for the future of the company. These individuals are all awesome and have so many talents. They all bring different expertise and experience to the group, making the collective even more unstoppable when we all work together!
These franchise owners are leaders who wanted to take control over their careers. They saw the potential of our business, sharing our vision for bringing amazing STEAM classes to students everywhere, and knew this was the place for them! We encourage you to meet all of them at some point – whether building a robot together or treating them to a coffee.
In the meantime, these brief summaries will have to do…
It was the hands-on learning, giving kids the tools and freedom to create, and the thoughtfulness of the organization as a whole, that Kim found most captivating about Brooklyn Robot Foundry. She made an instant connection with our franchise team and immediately felt at home with the company’s culture. The opportunity to be her own boss was simply icing on the cake! Kim brings her industrial engineering background, love of systems, upbeat personality, and detail-oriented style to the team.
Janine discovered Brooklyn Robot Foundry through her daughter and was immediately a fan of the Foundry’s approach to teaching STEAM. As a former journalist, educator, and data scientist, all of Janine’s skills are being to put to work now in her role of business owner. Janine is also the owner of the Foundry’s first Frandowment Competition, in which she wowed our panel of judges with her outstanding efforts in all of the challenges we threw her way.
After what felt like a lifetime in the corporate world, John was looking for an opportunity to own his own company while also having a greater impact on his community. John was immediately attracted to the Foundry’s classes and quickly recognized the enormous need for these immersive STEAM programs in his area. John’s two young children are loving being a part of the family business, helping him build and decorate robots whenever they can!
Denise learned in high school that access and exposure to science, mathematics, art, and expression can change the compass of a future career. A 15-year veteran in higher education and community engagement, Denise has been an earnest advocate for experiential learning for young people to broaden their possibilities via hands-on learning experiences. Denise felt strongly that a Brooklyn Robot Foundry franchise was the best opportunity for their “SnowBot” family to expand the diverse pool of kids who have the skills required for innovation and advancement in the 21st century.
Richard’s role as Chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Black Franchise Leadership Council, made him an ideal judge for Brooklyn Robot Foundry’s Frandowment Competition. It was this experience as a judge that led him to discover the transformative impact of Brooklyn Robot Foundry. As a passionate advocate for businesses that enrich students’ lives through STEAM education, Richard was drawn to the prospect of opening Foundries in Philadelphia. The Foundry’s combined commitment of STEAM education and franchising entrepreneurship is a powerful formula that not only equips students with skills for the future, but also empowers his family to realize their dreams of running their own businesses
Alison was very familiar with Brooklyn Robot Foundry since her son had attended camp and birthday parties at the Brooklyn locations. She was serving as the Executive Director of an early childhood center when she learned about the Foundry’s franchising opportunities. Alison had previously worked in public administration but had grown to love children’s programming. She strongly aligns with the Foundry’s beliefs of learning through play and the importance of hands-on creativity and is so excited to spread the robot fun throughout her territory!
Caroline was disenchanted with working for others in corporate America. She wanted all of that effort to contribute towards something worthwhile. Caroline was drawn to the Robot Foundry’s curriculum and its learning-through-doing approach. The freedom of running her own business was also appealing, which she knew was only possible with the endless support provided by the Foundry’s corporate team. She is so excited to get further invested in her local community as a small business owner, leading her team, and mentoring future Foundry franchisees.
Kim has been an advocate of Brooklyn Robot Foundry since her son took classes at the Brooklyn location. In fact, she was simply trying to help Jenny get a foothold in Westchester when Jenny finally convinced her to consider the opportunity for herself! Going through the Discovery process made Kim understand why this would be a perfect fit for her and her family. She has always believed in the Brooklyn Robot Foundry brand and the integrity of the people behind it. She recognized that there was nothing like Brooklyn Robot Foundry in her area and wanted to create an engaging, welcoming space for all kinds of kids. She believes kids need as many options as possible to discover what fuels them and is passionate about giving children opportunities to work with their hands and create something tangible they can display with pride.
Taniya was drawn to Jenny’s vision and mission, recognizing Brooklyn Robot Foundry as an innovative company with the potential to transform STEM education for young learners. Taniya is excited about enhancing STEAM access in her territory, knowing that hands-on experience in STEAM activities during early childhood development can lay a strong foundation for future learning. She’s particularly passionate about extending early access and exposure for all kids to help bridge the equity gap for underrepresented groups. With advanced studies in business analytics and human resources management, as well as experience co-founding a tech startup, Taniya brings both the analytical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit needed to build her business, while also nurturing confidence, curiosity, and creativity in the next generation.
Through family connections in Ohio, word reached Mike in Washington, DC about Jenny’s innovative creation, leading to meetings and ultimately his franchise ownership! Mike was excited about Brooklyn Robot Foundry because he found the service to be unique, the subject area genuinely interesting, and it would provide him the opportunity to enrich the lives of others. He recognized significant growth opportunities in his territory and was drawn to the franchising aspect for the support and guidance that comes from working with people who have a vested interest in your success. Mike’s diverse background in consulting, project management, vendor relations, and business analysis, combined with his entrepreneurial experience as a small business owner, provides him with the strategic and operational expertise essential for franchise success. Mike values how Brooklyn Robot Foundry’s curriculum teaches students resilience, creativity, and collaboration in a fun, open environment while developing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will always be essential, regardless of how technology evolves.
Entrepreneurship has always been close to Vijyeta’s heart, along with the dream of building something meaningful that creates a positive impact in her community. She was drawn to the experiences Brooklyn Robot Foundry provides for children: the product of the beautiful combination of science, engineering, and art. After years in the corporate world (digital marketing), Vijyeta is proud to be building something that encourages curiosity and creativity in children – just like her father once did with his toy company. She is working alongside her husband Bhavik and good friends Ishita and Vishal, to provide hands-on access to creativity in a fun, approachable way, helping children develop problem-solving, design thinking, and confidence.
Cerise wanted to own a business that made a meaningful contribution to society while staying close to her passion for education. She was immediately drawn to Brooklyn Robot Foundry because it aligned perfectly with her mission to educate in fun ways that provide rewarding outcomes while promoting active learning. Cerise was most impressed by the depth of the curricula and the supportive staff who would be collaborative while giving her the push she needs to succeed. With a PhD in Intercultural Communication and over 16 years as a professor, Cerise brings exceptional educational expertise to her franchise. She loves the open-ended nature of the Foundry’s projects, providing flexibility and plenty of room for imagination. She’s excited to help children and adults explore STEAM programming, expanding their learning potential while having fun.
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