LIFELAB STUDIOS - Key Persons


Dr. Anna Arici

Job Titles:
  • Research Scientist
Dr. Anna Arici is Research Faculty in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at ASU. She has been researching learning environments for the past two decades.

Lex Williams

Job Titles:
  • Project Management
Lex has worked on various growth modules with a focus on empowering all voices. She is project managing new features, supporting customer success, and coding front end views when needed.

Michael Angst

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Fiduciary Board

Rider Griffin

Job Titles:
  • Junior Programmer
Rider manages growth-based curriculum in H5P, lays groundwork for end-to-end testing, oversees sound effects within studio games, and works with the ThriveCast platform development process.

Rona Gallardo

Job Titles:
  • Usability Technician
Rona does most usability for the platform, checking new features, designed grows, and making sure the platform runs smoothly and as expected. Also, doing similar work for around brand consistency.

Sasha Barab - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Professor and CEO
Sasha Barab is a professor and CEO. His work has resulted in over a hundred articles, chapters and books on knowing and learning. He provides vision and runs the company.

Scott Beck

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Fiduciary Board

Tom VanderArk

Job Titles:
  • Advisory Board

Walter Kalata - CTO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Technology Officer
Walter's passion is in building large-scale interactive systems so people can connect in ways that matter to them. He manages all aspects of engineering, and ensuring product success.

Zach Ripka

Job Titles:
  • Senior Engineer
Zach uses a variety of skills to tie together our various applications and services as a full-stack engineer. He also spends time mentoring and working through designs/user experience.

Zane Encinas

Job Titles:
  • Customer Success
Zane graduated from ASU with a focus in humanities, social science research methods, and environmental education. He is committed to customer success, and ensuring that all people can live a fulfilling live.