There are gender wars, and then there are casualties. It wasn’t until 2011 that the behemoth toymaker LEGO acknowledged girls’ desire to build with bricks, even though the company had long before made a seemingly effortless pivot to co-branding, video games, and major motion pictures. So it’s little wonder that girls face all-too-real obstacles when […]
Read moreAt IDEA, we are united by a vision where technology is more than just functional—it’s personal, interactive, and intuitive, enhancing our ability to share and understand the vast tapestry of human knowledge and facilitating the exchange of meaningful information that fosters a deeper understanding of the world around us. Our team is a living embodiment of this vision, dedicated to crafting and executing projects that not only enrich learning but also empower individuals with the tools to inspire others.
Our approach to teamwork is rooted in personalized task management, allowing each member to shine in their area of expertise. Our approach to decision-making incorporates a non-hierarchical ethos that champions collaboration and values the input of every team member, irrespective of their role. It is this inclusive, egalitarian approach that breathes life into our work, creating a dynamic, creative, and adaptable environment that is essential for the broad scope of our initiatives.
Michael Douma (Founder and Creative Director)
As the Founder and Creative Director of IDEA, Michael Douma combines two of his passions: fulfilling the educational promise of technology and increasing linguistic, scientific, and cultural literacy. Michael leads IDEA in researching, developing, and refining mobile apps and technological tools to promote both informal and formal learning.
Greg Ligierko (Lead Developer)
Greg builds interactive experiences for end-users. His recent work has centered on creating a fun and mesmerizing experience in the OtherWordly game, with cool action, engaging animations, and meaningful puzzles. On the team since 2005.
Sean Liu (Developer)
Sean’s recent work has centered on textual analysis and supercomputer processing to generate relationships between millions of words and concepts, and the development of the In Other Words and Wordakin reference apps. On the team since 2007.
Michael Young (Programmer & AI Development Director)
Michael’s expertise in deep learning methods is integral to scalable app content development that is rich in cultural diversity. As the founder and CTO of Verboso, he applies his AI skills in educational and therapeutic contexts. On the team since 2021.
Sally E. Smith (Communications Director)
Sally works to develop and refine our messaging, from the content within our projects, to the language and outreach we use to share with the community and promote our work. Her career arc reflects her strong commitment to accessibility and advocacy. On the team since 2005.