Transforming the lives of future leaders by supporting their academic and social development.
Creating the Talent Advantage
Our exceptional team comprises the finest and most compassionate social scientists and teachers.
Dr. Clara Fangfang Ma
Founder and CEO
Dr. Clara Ma, founder and CEO at Inception Education, spearheads partnerships with corporate HR consultancies and educational institutions worldwide.
A bicultural, bilingual, and entrepreneurial leader, Clara earned her doctorate in Education, with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership, from Johns Hopkins University. She advocates for social justice and the implementation of social-emotional learning principles.
Dr. Ma also shares insights she’s gained from years spent working in the industry by teaching business courses at Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School.
Dr. Shelby Forbes
Director of Research
As Director of Research at Inception Education, Dr. Shelby Forbes, Ph.D., contributes her extensive expertise in communication. With over 12 years of collegiate teaching experience, Shelby enriches our team with her deep understanding of Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, Intercultural Communication, and Organizational Communication.
Shelby's published works predominantly focus on health communication and health organizations, with a special focus on disability issues and mental health (especially as it pertains to the international student population). Her belief in the power of diversity and multiculturalism fuels her work, as she steadfastly advocates for organizations to embrace these principles for their betterment, as well as for society at large.
Sara Madgey
Director of Faculty Management
Sara is widely recognized for her expertise in developing and implementing professional growth opportunities. She possesses degrees in Elementary Education, Special Education, and a master's in Educational Technology Facilitation.
In addition to her direct educational responsibilities, Sara assumes the role of managing Inception's distance education operations. She takes charge of the development of international faculty in key Asian cities and demonstrates a strong commitment to driving educational outreach in underserved rural regions of China. Through her contributions and unwavering dedication, she significantly impacts our global strategy, and her passion for education continually shapes the firm's innovative approach to learning.
Furthermore, Sara serves as a professor of mathematics for the Rowan adult education program. Her primary focus lies in assisting her students in mastering the skills taught on the GED exam, with particular emphasis on algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Lanise Stevenson
Director of D.E.I.B.
Lanise Stevenson is an award-winning doctoral candidate and professor at Johns Hopkins University, studying the impact of race, culture, and socioeconomics on students from traditionally marginalized racial and ethnic minority groups. Her research focuses on the contributing factors to school belonging, academic motivation, and student achievement. Ms. Stevenson offers 20 years of professional experience in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion sector. She has eliminated barriers to college and career readiness for urban youth throughout her career through education research, nonprofit leadership, professional teaching, curriculum writing, adult learning, community partnerships, and philanthropic efforts.
As a DEI expert, Ms. Stevenson consults with leaders in schools and for-profit organizations across the United States. In 2018, Lanise founded the Center for Applied Research and Equity (CARE) to bridge the gap between research and practice in the areas of DEI policies and programs. Ms. Stevenson currently coaches executive leaders, conducts large-scale studies, and develops workplace policies and programs promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Ms. Stevenson holds a leadership role on the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council, where she advises the presidents of universities and health systems on matters of diversity and inclusion. She is the co-chair of the 18th annual Diversity and Inclusion Conference, a national conference that highlights problems of practice and proven solutions on the frontiers of diversity and inclusion. Ms. Stevenson has designed workshops focusing on interracial dialogue, antiracism, recruitment and retention, defining diversity, legal issues in higher education, conflict resolution, and more.
Ms. Stevenson is completing a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership with a DEI concentration.
Dr. Henry M. Smith
Board of Advisors
Dr. Henry M. Smith served in the US Department of Education as Senior Counsel for Community Colleges and as Assistant Secretary for Interagency and Intergovernmental Affairs from 1993 until 1998. In the 1970s he was Mayor of Dover, N.H., and in 1980-1983, he served as the New Hampshire State Director for Public Transportation. Smith was also founding Director of Corporate Relations for Tufts University; an instructor on community colleges and education policy at the George Washington University; SOE Associate Dean for Development; and SOE Executive Director for Partnerships in Educational Transformation. He is also a consultant to numerous educational organizations, ed tech companies, and universities.
Dr. Lola Adeyami
Board of Advisors
Dr. Adeyemi is an accomplished professional with 19+ years of experience as a physician executive, professor, public health expert, entrepreneur, angel investor, and philanthropist. While excelling in diverse fields, her true passion lies in empowering African students with educational opportunities. She is a cross-cultural leader and mentor, dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge technologies to advance global health equity and support women in career development.
She holds a medical degree (MD) from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria, a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard University and she is currently pursuing her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Northwestern University.
Dr. Lance Cheng
Senior Research Fellow
Lance is an Assistant Professor in International Business at the University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS). His research interests primarily lie in the realms of International Business (IB) and Human Capital Strategy. Specifically, he is passionate about understanding how firms modify their human capital composition in response to cross-border labor movement. Additionally, his work contributes to understanding how firms adjust their global sourcing strategies to confront emerging grand challenges in the global business environment, such as the polarization of political ideologies, the rise of geopolitical tensions, and sustainable development mandates across different countries. Prior to joining the ULMS, Yuxi completed his Ph.D. in International Business from the School of Business at George Washington University.
Dr. Genevive Bjorn
Senior Research Fellow
Genevive Bjorn is an education researcher at Rutgers University Education and Employment Research Center, focusing on graduate and workforce development using mixed methods research methods. Current projects are investigating how postsecondary institutions use labor market information and how quality is defined in noncredit education. Before education research, Genevive taught secondary chemistry at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA. She received an NSF Noyce teaching fellowship in 2013 and won a national teaching award in 2017 from the National Association of Science Teachers. She was also a science journalist and regular contributor to Nature Medicine, and her work has appeared in Nature, Science, The New York Times, and many others. She also received a Knight journalism fellowship in 2011. She has authored and co-authored dozens of publications. Currently, she teaches scientific writing in the COMET program at the University of Bern in Switzerland and consults on critical reading and thinking skill development.
Genevive holds a doctorate in education from Johns Hopkins University and an M.Ed. from the University of California San Diego. She also holds an M.S. in biomedical sciences from the University of Hawaii, and B.A. in biology and chemistry from Boston University. A complete list of publications are available at ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2856-1067.
Creating the Talent Advantage
Our exceptional team comprises the finest and most compassionate social scientists and teachers.
Dr. Clara Fangfang Ma
Founder and CEO
Dr. Clara Ma, founder and CEO at Inception Education, spearheads partnerships with corporate HR consultancies and educational institutions worldwide.
A bicultural, bilingual, and entrepreneurial leader, Clara earned her doctorate in Education, with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership, from Johns Hopkins University. She advocates for social justice and the implementation of social-emotional learning principles.
Dr. Ma also shares insights she’s gained from years spent working in the industry by teaching business courses at Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School.
Dr. Shelby Forbes
Director of Research
As Director of Research at Inception Education, Dr. Shelby Forbes, Ph.D., contributes her extensive expertise in communication. With over 12 years of collegiate teaching experience, Shelby enriches our team with her deep understanding of Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, Intercultural Communication, and Organizational Communication.
Shelby's published works predominantly focus on health communication and health organizations, with a special focus on disability issues and mental health (especially as it pertains to the international student population). Her belief in the power of diversity and multiculturalism fuels her work, as she steadfastly advocates for organizations to embrace these principles for their betterment, as well as for society at large.
Sara MadGey
Director of Faculty Management
Sara is widely recognized for her expertise in developing and implementing professional growth opportunities. She possesses degrees in Elementary Education, Special Education, and a master's in Educational Technology Facilitation.
In addition to her direct educational responsibilities, Sara assumes the role of managing Inception's distance education operations. She takes charge of the development of international faculty in key Asian cities and demonstrates a strong commitment to driving educational outreach in underserved rural regions of China. Through her contributions and unwavering dedication, she significantly impacts our global strategy, and her passion for education continually shapes the firm's innovative approach to learning.
Furthermore, Sara serves as a professor of mathematics for the Rowan adult education program. Her primary focus lies in assisting her students in mastering the skills taught on the GED exam, with particular emphasis on algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Lanise Stevenson
Director of D.E.I.B.
Lanise Stevenson is an award-winning doctoral candidate and professor at Johns Hopkins University, studying the impact of race, culture, and socioeconomics on students from traditionally marginalized racial and ethnic minority groups. Her research focuses on the contributing factors to school belonging, academic motivation, and student achievement. Ms. Stevenson offers 20 years of professional experience in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion sector. She has eliminated barriers to college and career readiness for urban youth throughout her career through education research, nonprofit leadership, professional teaching, curriculum writing, adult learning, community partnerships, and philanthropic efforts.
As a DEI expert, Ms. Stevenson consults with leaders in schools and for-profit organizations across the United States. In 2018, Lanise founded the Center for Applied Research and Equity (CARE) to bridge the gap between research and practice in the areas of DEI policies and programs. Ms. Stevenson currently coaches executive leaders, conducts large-scale studies, and develops workplace policies and programs promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Ms. Stevenson holds a leadership role on the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council, where she advises the presidents of universities and health systems on matters of diversity and inclusion. She is the co-chair of the 18th annual Diversity and Inclusion Conference, a national conference that highlights problems of practice and proven solutions on the frontiers of diversity and inclusion. Ms. Stevenson has designed workshops focusing on interracial dialogue, antiracism, recruitment and retention, defining diversity, legal issues in higher education, conflict resolution, and more.
Ms. Stevenson is completing a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership with a DEI concentration.
Dr. Henry M. Smith
Board of Advisors
Dr. Henry M. Smith served in the US Department of Education as Senior Counsel for Community Colleges and as Assistant Secretary for Interagency and Intergovernmental Affairs from 1993 until 1998. In the 1970s he was Mayor of Dover, N.H., and in 1980-1983, he served as the New Hampshire State Director for Public Transportation. Smith was also founding Director of Corporate Relations for Tufts University; an instructor on community colleges and education policy at the George Washington University; SOE Associate Dean for Development; and SOE Executive Director for Partnerships in Educational Transformation. He is also a consultant to numerous educational organizations, ed tech companies, and universities.
Dr. Lola Adeyami
Board of Advisors
Dr. Adeyemi is an accomplished professional with 19+ years of experience as a physician executive, professor, public health expert, entrepreneur, angel investor, and philanthropist. While excelling in diverse fields, her true passion lies in empowering African students with educational opportunities. She is a cross-cultural leader and mentor, dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge technologies to advance global health equity and support women in career development.
She holds a medical degree (MD) from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria, a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard University and she is currently pursuing her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Northwestern University.
Dr. Lance Cheng
Senior Research Fellow
Lance is an Assistant Professor in International Business at the University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS). His research interests primarily lie in the realms of International Business (IB) and Human Capital Strategy. Specifically, he is passionate about understanding how firms modify their human capital composition in response to cross-border labor movement. Additionally, his work contributes to understanding how firms adjust their global sourcing strategies to confront emerging grand challenges in the global business environment, such as the polarization of political ideologies, the rise of geopolitical tensions, and sustainable development mandates across different countries. Prior to joining the ULMS, Yuxi completed his Ph.D. in International Business from the School of Business at George Washington University.
Dr. Genevive Bjorn
Senior Research Fellow
Genevive Bjorn is an education researcher at Rutgers University Education and Employment Research Center, focusing on graduate and workforce development using mixed methods research methods. Current projects are investigating how postsecondary institutions use labor market information and how quality is defined in noncredit education. Before education research, Genevive taught secondary chemistry at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA. She received an NSF Noyce teaching fellowship in 2013 and won a national teaching award in 2017 from the National Association of Science Teachers. She was also a science journalist and regular contributor to Nature Medicine, and her work has appeared in Nature, Science, The New York Times, and many others. She also received a Knight journalism fellowship in 2011. She has authored and co-authored dozens of publications. Currently, she teaches scientific writing in the COMET program at the University of Bern in Switzerland and consults on critical reading and thinking skill development.
Genevive holds a doctorate in education from Johns Hopkins University and an M.Ed. from the University of California San Diego. She also holds an M.S. in biomedical sciences from the University of Hawaii, and B.A. in biology and chemistry from Boston University. A complete list of publications are available at ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2856-1067.