Who We Are
From two full-time staff to the over 2,300 educators in our DCPZ network, we are grateful to work with a remarkable set of leaders who deliver high-quality professional development in various formats.
Staff
Elise Heil | Director
Elise Heil earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Notre Dame of Maryland. Prior to joining WIS, Elise served as the principal of Sacred Heart School from 2014-2024. During her time as principal, Elise collaborated with the PDC and led several initiaties at Sacred Heart including the Cultures of Thinking, Children are Citizens, Making Across the Curriculum, and Justice x Design projects. In 2020, she was named “Principal of the Year” by the Archdiocese of Washington. Elise is an expert in utilizing research from Project Zero to create a culture of thinking in schools and classrooms. She has served on the faculty of Project Zero Classroom at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and WISSIT since 2014.
Isadora Italia | Programs Manager
Isadora joined the PD Collaborative in 2023. Prior to joining us, Isadora served as Campus Engagement Manager at the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College. In this position, she developed strategies for increasing the museum's interaction with students and campus audiences. Earlier in her career, Isadora supported teacher and education programs at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Yale Center for British Art. She graduated from Yale University with a bachelor's degree in art history, and is currently finishing a master's in cultural studies from Dartmouth.
Advisory Council
Jim Reese
Former Director of the PDC
Heidi Hinish
Head of Gallery and Studio Learning, National Gallery of Art
Jefferson Burnett
Senior Vice President for Education Innovation, National Association of Independent Schools
Julian Hipkins
Global Studies Coordinator, Roosevelt High School (DCPS)
Suzanna Jemsby
Head of School, Washington International School
Cynthia Robinson-Rivers
Partner, Transcend
Veronica Boix Mansilla
Principal Investigator, Harvard Project Zero
Laura Engel
Assistant Professor of International Education and International Affairs, GWU
Richard "Dick" Hall
Emeritus Member
Maquita Alexander
Head of School, Van Ness Elementary School (DCPS)
WHO BELONGS TO THE DCPZ NETWORK?
DC-Project Zero comprises over 2,300 educators–most of whom work in the DC region in traditional public, public charter, independent and religious private schools, or in museums and early childhood centers. Belonging to the network gives educators access throughout the year to a wealth of professional learning opportunities sponsored by the PDC as well as by like-minded organizations.
