TSJ

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Our Team

Behind the Theresa Sondra Jacobs Foundation is a passionate team of educators, engineers, creators, and visionaries united by one mission: to ignite curiosity and make STEAM learning accessible to all. From developing cutting-edge robotics programs to creating immersive educational experiences, our team brings diverse expertise and unwavering dedication to every initiative. Get to know the people turning imagination into impact.

ERIC JACOBS

Co-Founder / CEO

RUBA JACOBS

Co-Founder / President

Felix Tao

Chief Technology Officer

David Ferreira

Director of Robotic Engineering

Thomas Ira Nixon

Creative Engineer

Dr. Lindsay Burns

Director of Education

Ermer & Michelle Twano

Community Outreach Directors

Sean Graham

Director of Business Development

Theresa Hirt

Chief Strategy Officer

Lisa McGrail

Business Development & Fundraising Director

David W. Liddle

Chief Communications Officer

Kieran McGrail

Digital Marketing Manager

Nahed Mansour

Project Officer

Sally Bayyad

social media, Graphics, & Website Designer

Brad Cook

Writer, Editor, and Marketing Strategist

Elizabeth Tao

Education Specialist

Victor Rhoder

Head of STEAM Workforce Partnerships

Seth Kelly

Art Director

Shawn Hawk

Legal Consultant

Gloria Toyne

HR & Compliance Officer

Jeffrey Marquez

Leadership Development and Advocacy

Makayla Lucero

Chief Experience & Engagement Officer

Susan Sims

Leadership Development, Policy and Compliance

Jeanee Layman

TBD

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Eric Jacobs

With over 25 years of management experience, Eric brings visionary leadership to TSJ. His passion for Star Wars and STEAM education fuels the foundation’s innovative projects, inspiring young minds through themed mobile exhibits, interactive props, and droids. The foundation, created to honor his mother, reflects Eric's dedication to fostering accessible, inclusive education that sparks curiosity in STEAM fields.

RUBA JACOBS

Ruba, with 25+ years in IT and management, provides the technical backbone of TSJ. Her dedication to community and education drives her work, ensuring smooth, secure, and efficient operations. She is instrumental in implementing TSJ's initiatives, combining technical expertise with a focus on philanthropy and positive community impact.

Felix Tao

Felix, with extensive experience in aerospace engineering, oversees the technical development of TSJ’s programs. His passion for prop-building and commitment to STEAM education are integral to creating interactive exhibits that captivate students and encourage exploration.

David Ferreira

With a lifelong dedication to robotics, David creates interactive droids like BB-8 and “Gil” RX-91L, bringing joy and inspiration through TSJ’s programs. His work in Star Wars projects and robotic engineering bridges generational gaps, inspiring young minds to pursue innovation.

Thomas Ira Nixon

Thomas, a creative engineer and droid builder, is dedicated to igniting curiosity in young learners. Known for projects like the Millennium Falcon cockpit, Thomas also builds functional Star Wars props. His contributions to TSJ include advanced projects such as a holographic communication system, offering immersive learning experiences.

Dr. Lindsay Burns

An educator and NASA evaluation specialist, Dr. Burns brings over a decade of teaching and curriculum design experience to TSJ. She focuses on creating research-backed, immersive learning experiences that inspire students in STEAM fields, working with organizations like Ohio State University and NASA.

Ermer & Michelle Twano

As respiratory practitioners and members of the 501st Legion, Ermer and Michelle bring creative skills to TSJ through life-sized prop building. They are dedicated to community engagement, motivating and teaching others while bringing joy to children and adults alike.

Sean Graham

With over 20 years in business development, Sean drives partnerships and strategies for TSJ, blending creativity with business acumen to support growth and community outreach.

Theresa Hirt

Theresa specializes in immersive environments and strategic partnerships, leading regional initiatives to expand TSJ’s influence and mission.

Lisa Mcgrail

Lisa McGrail is an accomplished nonprofit leader with over 15 years of experience in donor cultivation, partnership development, and volunteer engagement. She has successfully led fundraising initiatives, secured corporate and community sponsorships, and built strong networks that drive organizational growth. Lisa has held key leadership roles at organizations such as Leadership Fairfax and Women Giving Back, where she advanced strategic partnerships and volunteer programs that strengthened community impact. With a background in communications and ongoing training toward her CFRE certification, she combines creativity, relationship-building, and strategic insight to empower mission-driven organizations and inspire meaningful participation.

David W. Liddle

David W. Liddle serves as the Chief Communications Officer for the TSJ Foundation, where he leads the organization’s communication strategy, public messaging, and external relations. With extensive experience in public affairs, nonprofit communications, and mission-driven storytelling, David ensures that TSJ’s vision, programs, and impact are conveyed with clarity, consistency, and purpose across all audiences. David specializes in transforming complex ideas—such as robotics, mobile STEAM learning, immersive exhibits, and workforce development—into compelling narratives that inspire community engagement and support institutional partnerships. His background includes advising organizations on strategic communication planning, policy alignment, and message development, giving him a deep understanding of how public perception, education, and innovation intersect. At TSJ, David oversees digital communication, press outreach, brand voice, internal messaging frameworks, and storytelling across major initiatives such as FutureQuest, i-ARTS, and the foundation’s mobile STEAM activations. He collaborates closely with the executive team, educators, engineers, and creative groups to ensure alignment between TSJ’s mission and its public-facing identity. Known for his thoughtful communication style and collaborative leadership, David strengthens TSJ’s ability to reach families, educators, donors, and partners nationwide. His work helps position the foundation as a leader in immersive education, ensuring that its message remains impactful, inspiring, and grounded in community-driven values.

Kieran McGrail

Kieran McGrail is a data-driven digital marketing specialist with a strong background in social media strategy, web analytics, and multi-channel campaign execution. He brings hands-on experience optimizing online presence for organizations, including increasing digital engagement and website performance through targeted SEO, analytics, and content strategy initiatives. With expertise in AI-powered marketing tools and a passion for innovative communication, Kieran supports TSJ’s mission by elevating brand visibility and digital outreach.

Nahed Mansour

Nahed, with extensive humanitarian experience, oversees grant management for TSJ, supporting the foundation’s growth with her background in coordination and strategic planning.

Sally Bayyad

A talented graphic designer, Sally manages TSJ’s digital presence, using her creative skills to expand the foundation’s impact and outreach.

Brad Cook

Brad brings creative depth and technical fluency to TSJ’s storytelling and digital engagement. He supports exhibit scripting and sci-fi narrative development, crafting compelling content that captivates learners and visitors alike. In addition to writing, Brad specializes in website strategy and development, ensuring TSJ’s digital platforms are dynamic, user-friendly, and aligned with the foundation’s mission to inspire and educate through immersive experiences.

Elizabeth Tao

Elizabeth provides expertise on inclusive education, ensuring TSJ’s programs meet the needs of students with disabilities and diverse learning profiles.

Victor Rhoder

Victor has over 20 years of experience in Fortune 500 and startup sectors. He supports TSJ’s workforce development initiatives and brings thought leadership in emerging tech, partnering with schools and community colleges to bridge STEM workforce gaps.

Seth Kelly

An accomplished designer and DroidBuilders art director, Seth combines artistry with engineering, bringing life to TSJ’s exhibits through his designs.

Shawn Hawk

Shawn advises on legal frameworks, intellectual property, and nonprofit compliance, supporting the foundation’s governance and partnership structuring.

Gloria Toyne

Gloria ensures adherence to regulatory standards, grant compliance, and internal policies, playing a key role in operational integrity.

Jeffrey Marquez

Jeffrey leads policy alignment and advocacy strategy, connecting TSJ’s mission with local and national initiatives to promote equitable access to education and workforce development.

Makayla Lucero

Makayla directs all visual and sound production, elevating TSJ’s storytelling through high-quality video, multimedia, and event sound design.

April Gravey

April leads public relations and messaging strategy. She crafts TSJ’s voice across media, ensuring consistent communication with stakeholders and supporters.