The Joan Ganz Cooney Center Welcomes New Board Members David Byer and Dr. Hina Talib

(New York NY, November 17, 2023) The Joan Ganz Cooney Center announced the addition of two distinguished individuals to its Board of Directors, David Byer and Hina Talib, MD who together bring a wealth of experience in the areas of education, technology, policy, and adolescent health to the nonprofit research and innovation lab.

“The addition of David and Hina to our board mark an exciting chapter in the Cooney Center’s journey,” said Michael Preston, Executive Director of the Center. “Their diverse professional backgrounds and shared commitment to improving opportunities for children will undoubtedly enrich our board’s discussions and strategic guidance. David’s deep relationships with education, industry, and policy leaders will undoubtedly be a valuable asset. With her clinical focus on teen health – particularly mental health and digital wellness – Hina will bring a unique perspective to this critical area of focus. We look forward to welcoming them to our board and benefiting from their ideas and insights.”

Mr. Byer has a rich background in both business and public policy, spanning four decades of work across public, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, with a special focus on education and workforce opportunity. His most recent role was leading worldwide education advocacy at Apple from 2000 to 2022, where he managed the company’s U.S. and global education and workforce development policy efforts Mr. Byer has also served on several education- and workforce-related boards, including the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and Workcred. He is currently a trustee of the Education Development Center.

Dr. Talib is a board-certified Pediatrician and Adolescent Medicine specialist, writer, and teen media creative based in New York City. She currently cares for teens and families at her new practice within the Atria Institute and is the co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Thread Health. She also serves as Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Langone Medical Center and Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, and as Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics, and Gynecology and Women’s Health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Beyond her medical practice, Dr. Talib is an educator and advocate, contributing her expertise to various media outlets and to educate and engage with the public.

Mr. Byer and Dr. Talib join current board members Ellen Wartella and Esteban Sosnik in addition to Board Chair and Sesame Workshop President Sherrie Westin, and Sesame Workshop CEO Stephen Youngwood.

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About the Joan Ganz Cooney Center

The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit research and innovation lab that focuses on the challenges of fostering smarter, stronger, and kinder children in a rapidly changing media landscape. We conduct original research on emerging learning technologies and collaborate with educators and media producers to put this research into action. We also aim to inform the national conversation on media and education by working with policymakers and investors. For more information, visit cooneycenter.org and follow us on Twitter @CooneyCenter, Facebook and subscribe for updates.