Meet the Team at
The Ages of Globalization
From authors, educators, curriculum designers, filmmakers,
to GIS and data scientists...
Our lead educator, Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, brings over 40 years of experience in teaching and researching which led to his book, The Ages of Globalization.
Founded on the book and lectures filmed at UNESCO Heritage Sites across the globe, the course guides us through the past, present and future of our collective civilizations.
From the Great Wall of China to the Colosseum in Rome, the lectures provide an immersive experience that brings history to life.
Author & Instructor
Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs
Production Team
Curriculum Team
Project Manager
Radhika Iyengar is Director of Education at the Center for Sustainable Development, the Climate School, Columbia University. Dr. Iyengar helped with the course design. Her motivation is her 6th grader who has just started to learn about ancient civilizations. Dr.Iyengar hopes that her daughter gets to learn from this fascinating course and so will millions of other students like her. She is currently failing at learning the harp.
Curriculum Designer
Haein Shin is Education Technical Adviser at the Center for Sustainable Development of Columbia University. She designs the course's pedagogical approach and tools. As a world traveler and Third Culture Kid, she values global perspectives and hopes this course can engage learners across the globe to create a better and more empathetic world for her son's generation.
Education Intern
Skyler Evans studied environmental science and archaeological anthropology at Barnard College of Columbia University. She researches climate impacts in the American South West and Alaska. At Barnard's Center for Engaged Pedagogy, Skyler worked to create educational materials for educators and students, focusing on sustainable education. She is interested in sustainable development through the lenses of education and engineering.
Mission 4.7 Project Intern
Natalie Wright creates sustainable development education content and media. With a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a master’s degree in Education Policy, Natalie specializes in localizing global goals and elevating local initiatives onto the global stage. Beyond her work, you can find her running, climbing, and practicing yoga.
Data & GIS Team
Curriculum Designer
Maryam Rabiees work explores new methods and approaches to strengthen the data ecosystem for sustainable development. She is the Head of SDGs Today at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), which aims to advance the production and use of timely and geospatial data for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Maryam serves on the boards of the GEO Earth Observations for Sustainable Development Goals (EO4SDG) Initiative and the UMass Global Institute for Geospatial Education.
Curriculum Designer
Anela Layugan is the GIS Analyst and Developer for SDGs Today at SDSN. Anela loves how GIS combines science and art, and hopes to teach people and move them with her maps. Prior to SDSN, Anela was a researcher at the Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University on the GRID3 Programme creating geospatial data and visualizations for sustainable development work at the country level. Anela holds a Master of Science degree in GIS from Clark University where she researched changes in Arctic sea ice melt while working part-time on a flower farm called Fivefork Farms. She has many other loves in her life, including photography, rock climbing, flowers, and her big fluffy cat.
Web Developer
Maria Andrukhiv is the Special Assistant to the Director at the Center for Sustainable Development of Columbia University. As a former adjunct in Pace University’s economics department, she is passionate about finding new, interesting ways to capture a student’s attention. She enjoys traveling, running, yoga, and food!
GIS Intern
Erika Lisco is the GIS Intern with SDG's Today at SDSN. Erika completed her Bachelor's in Environmental Science at Ohio State and is currently pursuing her Master's in GIS at Clark University. Passionate about using maps and data visualizations to address complex challenges, she enjoys creating maps that tell compelling stories and support impactful projects. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, reading, yoga, and walking her dog.
Outreach and Communications Team
Director, Global Schools Program
Amanda Abrom is Director of the Global Schools Program, SDSN. She is supporting teacher engagement and outreach. She loves meeting people from other countries and talking to students from all over the world on a day-to-day basis. She has published four fantasy books for teenagers, and in her spare time she enjoys reading, writing lyrics, hiking, and playing the violin and piano.
Videographer and Editor
Regina Valdez is the Assistant to the Director at the Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University. A former New York City school teacher, Regina has seen the transformative nature of tapping into and cultivating students’ various intellectual and artistic interests. Her own interests include renaissance dance music, writing, and mastering the subjunctive mood in Spanish.
Education Consultant
Katja Anger-Delimi is the Education Consultant for the Ages of Globalization and the UN at Your Doorstep at SDSN, Katja contributes to programme development, communications and outreach. Prior to SDSN, Katja worked for UNESCO and the OECD on Education for Sustainable Development. Deeply committed to promoting transformative education and creating engaging learning experiences for students and teachers worldwide, she hopes the course enables young people to learn from history to solve today’s complex sustainable development challenges.
Web Developer
Alyson Marks is Head of Communications and External Relations at SDSN. Alyson oversees SDSN's communications, public events, and outreach activities. Prior to joining SDSN, Alyson led the marketing and communications efforts for several international tourism boards and hotels, including the Kenya Tourism Board, the Macau Government Tourist Office, and the Curaçao Tourist Board. She holds an M.P.A. in International Policy and Management from New York University and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
Communications Intern
Isabella Paris is the Education and Communications intern for the Ages of Globalization and the UN at your Doorstep at SDSN. She creates content and media centered around the Ages of Globalization program. She is currently studying at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut pursuing a degree in International Relations and Urban Studies. She is excited to be part of the Ages of Globalization team and contribute to the platform that educates young people on contemporary sustainable challenges.