#  Our Team 

 



  [### Ying Xu

 ](/people/ying-xu)Assistant Professor of Education

 

 

 Ying Xu is an Assistant Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where her research focuses on designing AI technologies that support language and literacy development, STEM learning, and wellbeing for children and families. Her... 

 

 

      ![Image of Ying Xu](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-10/ying-xu-2025-square%20%281%29.jpg?itok=rEJIyNzX) 

 

 

 

   [### Daniela Gissara

 ](/people/daniela-gissara)Assistant Director, International Partnerships

 

 

 Daniela Gissara is a global changemaker committed to building an equitable world for children with disabilities. At Perkins, she leads international partnerships that help transform education systems around the world. An expert educator and vision... 

 

 

      ![Daniela Gissara image](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-09/Gissara_Daniela_Perkins-School-for-the-Blind-scaled-e1770750427250.jpg?itok=8zEKMtsK) 

 

 

 

   [### Sean O’Connor

 ](/people/sean-oconnor-0)Chief Development & Marketing Officer

 

 

 Sean O’Connor brings more than 30 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations grow their impact through strategy, partnerships, fundraising, and innovation. As Chief Development and Innovation Officer at Perkins, he works across the... 

 

 

      ![sean OConnor](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-09/Sean-OConnor-2.jpg?itok=pdWxomY0) 

 

 

 

   [### Lisa Jacobs

 ](/people/lisa-jacobs)Director, Educational Leadership Program

 

 

 Lisa Jacobs has more than 35 years of experience educating children who are deafblind and supporting educators around the world. As Director of Perkins’ Educational Leadership Program, she prepares and mentors educators and professionals working to... 

 

 

      ![Lisa A. Jacobs image](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-09/MBP31919-1-scaled.jpg?itok=OptGkuMU) 

 

 

 

   [### Minh Ha

 ](/people/minh-ha)Assistive Technology Manager, Perkins School for the Blind

 

 

 Minh Ha is an assistive technology specialist and digital accessibility advocate dedicated to making learning and technology more accessible. As Assistive Technology Manager at Perkins, she conducts technology assessments, trains educators and staff, and... 

 

 

      ![Minh Ha image](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-09/Photo-3-scaled.jpg?itok=p69q0Ndh)