Our Team
The Visionaries Behind the Movement
Young Innovators Schools is revolutionizing Early childhood education in Orlando and beyond. Our founding team of educators and academia have come together with a mission to empower childhood early education through creative curriculums that prepare them for a world of constant change.
Our pioneering people-centered curriculum integrates new trends in education and takes cutting-edge learning concepts to the next level, ensuring every young learner achieves their highest potential.
A Company Built by educators focused on radically improving how children learn
Our Story
As a childcare director and multi site operator, I was wearing too many hats—and still felt like I wasn’t fully in control of what was happening inside our classrooms. I knew quality and consistency were the secret ingredients of a great school. But as we opened more locations, that consistency became harder to protect. Each new classroom meant more teachers to train, more leaders to support, and more opportunities for the mission to get diluted. And ensuring the same high-quality experience across every classroom felt increasingly complex. That challenge became the foundation of YIA Schools. A better way to align curriculum, training, and leadership around a shared vision—one that empowered teachers while protecting quality.
Leadership Team
Founders
Marnie Forestieri
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
An award-winning educator, author, and entrepreneur, Marnie leads YIA’s strategic vision, curriculum philosophy, and national expansion. She is the co-creator of the Innovation Advantage™ Curriculum and CAPE™ Framework.
Bharath Mundlapudi
CO-FOUNDER, INVESTOR, AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bharath is based in silicon valley San Francisco, USA, and is a serial entrepreneur and business executive, currently, he founded a company with 750 staff members, in intelligent enterprise automation space. Prior to this, he founded a company in Big Data, ML and Data Science space. He has been part of companies like Netflix and Yahoo!
Curriculum & Education Leadership
Dr. Debby Mitchell
Vice President of Curriculum
An early childhood education expert with decades of experience, Dr. Mitchell leads curriculum design, ensuring alignment with developmental research and educational best practices.
Sammy Canabal
Elementary Education Program Specialist
A seasoned instructional leader, Sammy supports teacher coaching and curriculum implementation across YIA schools.
Domi Maigut
Enrichment Program Director
Domi designs and leads enrichment programs in music, nature, art, and culture—bringing hands-on, joyful learning into every classroom.
Operations & Strategic Support
Jay Zettler
Podcast and Studio Production Manager
Producer, full sail university graduate and Air Force veteran.
Donna Carruthers
VP of Research and Development
Education Entrepreneur, impassioned teacher, and philanthropist. Devoted to faith, family, friends, new adventures, and chocolate.
Manuel Piñeres
Marketing Director
With a passion for turning big ideas into campaigns that connect, they bring energy, creativity, and a sprinkle of strategy magic to everything we do at YIA schools.
Mark Allen Hayes, CCIM, PhD (c)
Board member
Entrepreneur, educator, real estate broker, coach, producer, and writer.
Give your child the
Innovation Advantage!
Join us as we shape the future of education—one innovative classroom at a time.
Accreditations and Awards
