Elaine is the Founder and Executive Director of Colorado AeroLab. She is a Learning Design Expert and STEM Education Specialist who believes in the power of a growth-mindset and knows that the best learning happens when teachers and students see themselves as partners who explore questions and discover new ideas together. Curiosity and perseverance fuel her drive toward all things STEM where she frequently showcases the work of students via online media and video.

After graduating from Colorado School of Mines, Elaine began her career as an electrical engineer. Working in Research and Development for Coors Brewing Company, she is listed among the team of patented inventors for a proprietary machine vision can identification system. She holds a Master of Arts in Community Leadership from Regis University and has served in youth ministry for more than 25 years in local, regional and national church organizations.

Elaine is deeply invested in teaching design thinking and creates learning opportunities to empower and strengthen creative confidence and imagination to ensure a successful future for 21st century educators and student leaders. She has been a Colorado Education Initiative Innovation Fellow, served on CEI’s AI in Education Taskforce, 21CCLC Advisory Council and is currently a Board Member for the Colorado Afterschool Partnership. Elaine holds a professional teaching license from the State of Colorado with an endorsement in 7-12 Math, Gifted and Talented Education and CTE STEM authorization. She has served as a Colorado Educator Voice Policy Fellow and is co-author of HB 17-1201: STEM High School Diploma Endorsement.

Dean and Elaine have two Millennial daughters who constantly challenge them to keep up.