Alina B. Swanson, Founder
Alina Swanson holds a degree in Mathematics & Finance from The College of William & Mary and a MBA in Marketing & Finance from New York University. With a lifelong curiosity in the learning sciences, she focused her career pursuits on the intersection of technology and education at leading educational publishing companies including the Pearson Education (and managed a Discovery Channel partnership) and The McGraw-Hill Companies, and later, creating curriculum and teaching extracurricular classes at the Gifted Child Society of Bergen County.
With job trends pointing to significant technological upheaval (with artificial intelligence and robots) and new jobs we can't even imagine, Be Brain Bright programs in STEAM, Social Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Leadership stretch kids thinking, working analytical and creative thinking, positioning them for the future.
During Alina's 10 year tenure at the Gifted Child Society of Bergen County, she created curriculum and taught extracurricular classes to kids in grades 2 - 6. Classes included Shark Tank Junior, Master Your Mind, Community Connections, Math at the Art Museum, I Spy an Artist, Communication Critters.
Be Brain Bright's "Be YOU" leadership program draws upon her 20 years of experience working with a variety of leadership programs including The McGraw-Hill Companies Teen Mentors, New York Cares, The United States Congressional Award (gold, silver, bronze medals), Girl Scouts Leadership awards (gold, silver, bronze awards) and the First LEGO League Robotics Coach (won first place teamwork award among 40 teams). She also launched a "Science Fair Workshop for Girls" (grades 1-5) with female science professionals leading (and inspiring) groups of girls on specific projects. Most recently, she was HealthBarn USA's director of Business Development & Operations.
Alina is a first generation Cuban American and fluent Spanish speaker. She is proud of the beauty of the Hispanic culture, warmth of its people, and hard work ethic. And fun fact.... she lived in Gorgonzola, Italy (yes, the smelly cheese) and graduated from the American High School of Milan!