The Team

Meet the Hearts Behind the Academy

Sunanna (left) and Shehnaz (right)

Shehnaz

Co-Founder & Lead Program Developer

Shehnaz is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who holds a Bachelor's in Social Work and a Master's in Education specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis. With over a decade of clinical and educational experience, she brings deep expertise in child development, cognitive-behavioral learning frameworks, and evidence-based instructional design.

Her background includes 8 years of specialized practice supporting children across the autism spectrum, where she developed individualized intervention strategies grounded in developmental psychology and behavioral science. She draws on this experience to design studio curricula that meet children where they are — creating structured, engaging experiences that support each child's growth across social, cognitive, and behavioral domains.

Sunanna

Co-Founder & Instructor

Sunanna holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and brings a warm, supportive, and deeply compassionate presence to every class. Throughout her career she has worked with a wide range of populations, including youth navigating challenging circumstances, where she focused on mentorship and advocacy aimed at mitigating the school-to-prison pipeline. She has hands-on experience supporting both high schoolers and middle schoolers, helping them build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Sunanna also has meaningful experience working with neurodivergent children, meeting each child where they are and creating an inclusive space where every learner feels seen, valued, and excited to explore. Her natural ability to connect with children makes her classes a place where kids feel comfortable taking creative risks and discovering their own strengths.

Outside of their passion for the studio, Sunanna and Shehnaz love to travel, try new foods, play with their cats, and be silly sharing laughs.