Before building Akron, José set out to study how the brain learns: educational psychology at Harvard, learning and memory at Cambridge, behavioural economics at FIA. Across fifteen years leading six schools in Brazil and one in the United States, he saw first-hand that good intentions are not enough: serious education is built on evidence. That is the foundation Akron rests on: every pedagogical choice has science behind it, and every student learns the way their own brain works.

Carol was part of the founding team at Avenues São Paulo, where she spent eight years leading pedagogical innovation initiatives. Opening a landmark school is something she has already done, and that is exactly the experience she brings to Akron. With more than twenty years devoted to education, and training from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Buck Institute for Education and PUC-SP, she has built her career creating school communities where every student is truly seen and learning has purpose.

Pedro Paulo built his career at schools that need no introduction, among them St. Paul's School and Saint Francis College. Bringing international excellence together with the Brazilian curriculum is something he has already done, and that is exactly the experience he brings to Akron. With more than thirty years devoted to education, he is the one who ensures the Brazilian curriculum stands at the same level as the global one: your child does not choose between the two worlds — they get both, at the highest standard.

Ana Paula spent ten years at Beacon School, leading different areas of operations, always with the eye of someone who sees space as an educator in its own right. Turning environments into learning is something she has already done, and that is exactly the experience she brings to Akron. Now she is the one preparing the 11,000 m² campus in Pinheiros to welcome every family: everything considered, from the gate to the classroom, so that the school's vision is present in every detail.

Anna Luiza built her career across education, entrepreneurship and social impact projects. Over the years she has worked at a range of educational institutions, among them The British School of Rio de Janeiro and Global Me, where she worked as an educator and later in Admissions. She also devoted years to an education-focused NGO, an experience that deepened her connection to purpose and to the transformative power of education. At Akron, she leads Admissions and the family journey, with the aim of building genuine relationships between school, students and families.

A South African educator focused on Early Childhood Education, Kari holds a degree from the University of South Africa and has worked at St. Paul’s School in São Paulo. She has additional training in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) and deepened her studies on children’s agency through a research experience in Pistoia, Italy. At Akron, she contributes to an approach that values curiosity, inquiry and children’s active participation in their own learning.

A psychologist trained at PUC-SP, as well as a pedagogue and educational manager, Cristina has experience in educational management and teacher training, including time at Colégio Santo Américo. She holds a specialization in Adolescence from Instituto Sedes Sapientiae and an MBA in School Management from USP. Her career combines a focus on learning with an understanding of emotional development and of relationships in the school environment. At Akron, she contributes to an education that recognizes the uniqueness of each student and strengthens the partnership between school and family, offering support and continuing training to mentors and teachers.