All Headsprout programs are fully learner tested and educationally verified.

Headsprout is based in Seattle, Washington, and is funded by Sofinnova Ventures, the Raisin Fund, Roser Ventures and private investors.

Dr. T. V. Joe Layng, Senior Scientist
Joe Layng co-founded Headsprout, and serves as the company's Senior Scientist, in which capacity he led the scientific team that developed Headsprout's patented Sprout Learning™ technology. This technology forms the basis of the company's Headsprout Early Reading program, for which Dr. Layng was the chief architect. Dr. Layng earned a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science (Biopsychology) from The University of Chicago, where he collaborated on research investigating the adduction of untrained complex symbolic behavior from simpler behavioral components, which led to some of the key elements upon which the Headsprout Sprout Learning™ technology is based. Dr. Layng has over 25 years of experience in the experimental and applied learning sciences. From 1991 to 1996, he was the Director of the Academic Support Center, and then Dean of Public Agency and Special Training Programs at Malcolm X College in Chicago. In 1992, Dr. Layng co-authored the seminal paper on Generative Instruction, which appeared in the American Psychologist.

Dr. Janet S. Twyman, V.P. Instructional Development
A noted educator and researcher, Janet Twyman is the Vice President of Instructional Development at Headsprout, where she significantly contributed to the development of HeadsproutÂ’s Sprout Learning™ technology and led the effort to build that technology into a highly effective beginning reading program. Dr. Twyman developed the research methods and systems that led to HeadsproutÂ’s ground–breaking scientific formative evaluation model of program development--coordinating all elements of instructional design, scripting, graphic creation, animation, sound engineering, story development and writing, software engineering, and usability testing within the research model. Formerly the Executive Director of the Fred S. Keller School, a model early childhood center, and an adjunct associate professor at Columbia University Teachers College, Dr. Twyman has been a long-time advocate and investigator of research-based instruction and systems design. She has conducted research and taught courses focusing on effective instruction, technology and education, teacher development, and systems approaches to effective education. She has published and presented widely on these and other topics of broader conceptual interest. Dr. Twyman earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University Teachers College, and is a certified elementary and special education teacher and principal/school administrator. She has authored several book chapters, and published descriptive and experimental studies on learning and education, and sits on the board of several schools and organizations in the public and private sector.

Victoria Burwell, V.P. of Marketing
Joining Headsprout in 2006, Victoria Burwell is a strategic leader who has successfully led companies in dramatic growth and rapid change through creative marketing solutions. She has over 15 years of executive marketing and strategy experience in the financial services, consumer product, wireless, software, and healthcare industries. She has created best selling products for the Gallo Winery, designed critical market research for Microsoft, lead acquisition work for Vodafone in Brazil, negotiated national contracts for AirTouch, and created many successful marketing campaigns for Washington Mutual. She has a BA in Economics from Stanford University, an MBA in Marketing and Organizational Behavior from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and has done additional coursework at the Stanford GSB, Oxford University and Seattle University. Active in her community, she has been on the board of Washington Literacy, participated in California's Project Read, worked for Social Venture PartnersÂ’ Early Childhood Grant Committee, and has guided strategic planning efforts for numerous other non-profits.

Denise Mamaril, V.P. Finance and Operations
Denise Mamaril joined Headsprout in 2007 and leads the team responsible for all financial, human-resources-related, operational, and administrative functions in the company. Prior to joining Headsprout, Ms. Mamaril was Vice President of Administration for SCORE! Educational Centers where she was responsible for technology, finance, human resources, and professional development. She has over 15 years of experience in operations, finance, and technology management in education companies and maintains a consistent focus on driving operational efficiencies, fostering staff development, and delivering strong internal customer support. Ms. Mamaril received her MBA with a specialization in information technology from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin where she was a Longhorn Scholar. Her undergraduate degree is International Affairs from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service.

Bruce Zabel, National Sales Manager
Bruce has several years experience in trade book publishing and joined Headsprout in 2007. He worked in sales, production, editorial and general management in various publishing companies. For the last 20+ years, Bruce has held senior management jobs in the supplemental curriculum business. Among the companies where he has worked are: The Wright Group, Wendy Pye Limited, Sage Publications/Outside the Box, I Knew That, Inc. and School Specialty, Inc. Bruce studied history at Northern Illinois University and Brown University. He was awarded an MBA from Northern Illinois University.

Robert Denton, Director of Software & Engineering
Robert Denton has served in many roles within Software & Engineering since starting with Headsprout in January 2002: Tech Support, Network Administrator, Lead HBO Engineer, Manager of Networks & Support, and currently Director of Software & Engineering. While Robert's career has centered around data communications, his educational background is in Language and Linguistics.

Dr. Pamela G. Osnes, Director of Implementation
Dr. Osnes has been working in education for over 30 years, and joined Headsprout in July, 2008. Prior to her appointment at Headsprout, she was the Director of Educational Services and the STARS School at Behavior Analysts, Inc, in Pleasant Hill, CA, an Assistant Professor in Special Education at The Ohio State University, and an Associate Professor and Director of the Master’s Program in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of South Florida. She received her Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of South Florida, her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at West Virginia University, and Bachelor’s degrees in both Special and Elementary Education at the University of South Dakota. Dr. Osnes has published over 30 articles and chapters, has edited two books, has received two model demonstration grants funded by the U. S. Office of Special Education Programs, and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. Dr. Osnes served as the Coordinator of the Education Board for the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) from 2001-2007, is the Coordinator of the Affiliated Chapters Board for ABAI, is a member of the Standing Review Committee for the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs, and is on the Board of Advisors for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.