Learning Undefeated Staff & Leadership

Katie Askelson is an Education Program Lead working as a part of the Texas Mobile STEM Lab team. Katie has a diverse background in working with youth and informal STEM education, with experience as a Teaching Assistant, AmeriCorps After-school Educator, K-12 Youth Education Coordinator, and a 4-H Youth Development Director. She earned a bachelor of science in animal science from Texas A&M University. In addition to her impressive work, she enjoys several hobbies including powerlifting, hiking, traveling, and cuddling animals.

Joshua Avalos, Education Outreach Coordinator for the PORT-able Learning Lab, hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, gaining valuable laboratory skills during his internship at the Harte Research Institute.

Joshua has a diverse professional background, having worked in the oil field and refineries before transitioning to education. As an elementary math and science teacher, he achieved exemplary teacher designation and significantly improved student test scores through an engaging curriculum.

Passionate about inspiring students to pursue STEM careers, Joshua brings his dedication and experience to Learning Undefeated. Outside of work, he enjoys camping, rock collecting, gardening, and hands-on projects.

Mississippi born and raised, Victoria also known as Tori, has been a proud Texan for over a decade now. Tori earned her bachelor’s in science in Biology from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. It was there that she learned her love for science and her passion for providing resources and aid for those in need, specifically youth. Tori strives to bring a positive experience to everyone she encounters. Like Learning Undefeated, she knows that resources, opportunities, and a little bit of kindness can go a long way in shaping our youth for the future. In her free time, Tori enjoys hanging out with her family, 3D printing, and crafting.

Kristin Diamantides is an educator and curriculum designer dedicated to creating hands-on and immersive STEM learning experiences that bring complex concepts to life. She began her journey with Learning Undefeated as an educator on the organization’s mobile labs, where she spent five years inspiring students through experiential learning. Her time in the classroom sparked a passion for designing engaging programs that help students connect what they’re learning to real-world applications and the skills needed in future STEM careers.

Now serving as the Curriculum and Instructional Design Manager, Kristin creates mobile lab curriculum as well as interactive, game-based experiences that merge storytelling, technology, and problem-solving. Drawing on her background in science and experience in informal education, she works to design meaningful learning experiences that empower students to see themselves as capable innovators and future STEM  professionals.

Ashley joined Learning Undefeated in 2024 as the Education Program Lead. With a strong background in informal science education, Ashley spent five years managing a mobile lab program, bringing hands-on STEM experiences to students across South Carolina. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Research at the University of South Carolina, focusing on STEM access, career awareness, and student confidence/self-efficacy.

Originally from New York and an alum of NYU, Ashley is passionate about creating equitable opportunities in STEM education. Outside of work, she enjoys Thai food, going to the movies, and spending quality time with friends and family.

As Learning Undefeated’s Senior Manager of Events & Technical Experiences, Ali manages large-scale event logistics, supports local teams, oversees scheduling, leads product design, develops game-based experiences, and manages technical assets. Her passion for educating youth and creating memorable events brought her to the team in 2017.

Benedetta Naglieri serves as Learning Undefeated’s Director of Education, overseeing multiple laboratory and deep-impact programs that serve middle and high school students. She received her Ph.D. in molecular biology from Columbia University and worked as a post-doctorate researcher at the National Institutes of Health studying gene regulation. She developed a passion for informal science education while volunteering as a science instructor. She has since worked with numerous organizations promoting STEM education including the Children’s Science Center in Herndon, Virginia and the Liberty Science Center. In her free time, she enjoys running and is a rabid fan of classic movies.

Desurae Matthews serves as the Senior Manager of the Texas Mobile STEM Labs program, a statewide fleet of mobile labs serving all Texas K-8 schools. A native of Wharton, Texas, and a graduate of Wharton ISD, Desurae is deeply involved in the local community and a well-recognized advocate for youth education programs within the local area. Desurae has a passion for working with disadvantaged youth, serving as a program director for the Just Do It Now community center in Wharton, program mentor for Boys and Girls Club, assistant teacher, and camp counselor. Ms. Matthews has both a M.S. and a B.S. from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. In her free time, Desurae coaches multiple youth sports teams and also runs a nonprofit girls’ empowerment program in her hometown.

With nearly a decade of digital communications experience, Nicole Santoro joined Learning Undefeated in 2022 as a Senior Marketing Manager. She holds a master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Alabama. Nicole has received national recognition for her global campaigns, including two platinum awards from MarCom and a Global Communications Award of Excellence from PRSA.

Prior to joining the Learning Undefeated team, Nicole worked in-house as a Senior Account Executive at the world’s largest PR agency, executing the day-to-day digital communications efforts for three Fortune 500 companies. Nicole has a passion for helping brands leverage and harness the power of digital storytelling.

In her free time, she loves reading, gardening, and spending time outdoors with her husband, son, and pup.

Hannah Schoeppner is an Education Outreach Coordinator for Learning Undefeated. She holds an M.S. in Criminology from St. Vincent College and a B.S. in Chemistry from Saint Francis University. While earning her degrees, Hannah volunteered with Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (R.O.C.K.) programs through Saint Francis University and worked as the Chemistry Specialist at Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, Pennsylvania. Since her graduation, Hannah has spent her time working in practical laboratory environments, but she has always been passionate about providing educational opportunities to all. Outside of the lab, Hannah enjoys bowling, traveling, and photography.

Shane Slaughter is a seasoned strategic leader in global event & logistics production, known for orchestrating high-impact programs that drive revenue growth and elevate brand prestige. With expertise in operational efficiency, financial management, and creative solutions, he has a proven track record of delivering exceptional event experiences.

Shane excels in strategic management, overseeing the planning and execution of large-scale events to maximize impact and ROI. By leveraging data-driven strategies and cutting-edge technologies, he ensures seamless and memorable experiences. His ability to anticipate trends and adapt to changes solidifies his reputation as a forward-thinking strategist.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Shane is a proud dad of two school-age children. Balancing his career with fatherhood, he provides a nurturing environment for his family and strives to be a positive role model, encouraging lifelong learning and passion pursuit in his children.