Our CEO and Founder, Tina, details her journey of empowering through education: both in her own education, and through the founding of Lana.
Education has played a pivotal role in my life, shaping who I am and enabling my success. The lessons I’ve learned, the privileges I’ve had, and the guidance I received from dedicated teachers have all contributed to the opportunities that have come my way. Looking back, I realize just how much I owe to the educators who mentored me and pushed me to strive for more.
U.S. Foreign Service
One of the most defining moments in my life came when I began my first career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. I chose to join the Public Diplomacy cone, which focuses on education and cultural exchange, because I wanted to support global education initiatives. It was a natural extension of my belief in the transformative power of education and the opportunities it provides, not just for individuals, but for entire communities.
Washington, DC Teacher
My journey continued when I became a teacher in Washington, D.C., where I had the privilege of working with students from diverse backgrounds in both public and private schools. This experience gave me firsthand insight into how essential education is in shaping young lives and providing them with the tools they need to succeed. I witnessed how access to quality education opened doors for my students, giving them the confidence to pursue their dreams.
Lana Learn
Now, I have the honor of supporting education programs in Washington, D.C., as well as U.S. government initiatives that promote education worldwide. And perhaps most importantly, I feel incredibly privileged to do this work alongside Lana. Working with a team so deeply committed to education allows me to contribute even more to the global mission of empowering students through access to quality learning opportunities.
This work is deeply meaningful to me because it enables me to give back to a system that has given me so much. Education has always been the key to unlocking opportunity, and being able to play a role in that for others is something deeply meaningful to me.
