Our People

The Cooney Center is supported by a team of founders, staff, fellows, and advisors, and we work closely with our colleagues at Sesame Workshop. While our collective expertise ranges from developmental psychology and digital media research to media production, we all share a common vision.

Team

Michael Preston, PhD

Executive Director Bio

Catherine Jhee

Senior Director, Strategic Communications Bio

Medha Tare, PhD

Senior Director of Research Bio

Allisyn Levy

Senior Manager, Partnerships & Planning Bio

Leslie Berkowitz

Senior Coordinator Bio

Sarah Jacobstein

Project Manager Bio

Elizabeth Rood, EdD

Senior Fellow Bio

Rafi Santo, PhD

Senior Fellow Bio

Colin Angevine

Fellow Bio

Jordan Shapiro, Ph.D

Senior Fellow Bio

Mona Leigh Guha, PhD

Senior Fellow Bio

Board of Directors

Joan Ganz Cooney

Co-Founder and Honorary Lifetime Trustee, Sesame Workshop Bio

Lloyd N. Morrisett, PhD

Co-Founder and Honorary Lifetime Trustee, Sesame Workshop (1929-2023) Bio

Sherrie Rollins Westin

CEO, Sesame Workshop and Chair, Joan Ganz Cooney Center Board Bio

David S. Byer

Strategic Advisor Bio

Esteban Sosnik

Managing Partner, Reach Capital Bio

Dr. Hina Talib, MD

Pediatrician and Adolescent Medicine specialist Bio

Ellen Ann Wartella, PhD

Professor; Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Communication; Professor of Psychology; Professor of Human Development and Social Policy, Northwestern University Bio