Founder of the Global Possibility Network at Penn GSE, Dr. Nakkula’s teaching and research focus on the development of resilience and the promotion of possibility development among children and youth from low-income backgrounds. He is particularly interested in the integration of counseling, mentoring, and educational processes in urban schools to create contexts that allow students to thrive in school and during their transition to higher education and career opportunities. Dr. Nakkula works with many national and international organizations to develop applied research strategies that promote the study of developmental and educational initiatives in support of enhanced mental health and optimal youth development.

Co-Founder of the Global Possibility Network at Penn GSE, Dr. Babson is a specialist in the anthropological study of youth, with expertise in youth cultures, youth possibility development, specifically in South Africa. He has taught at the Temple University College of Education and Human Development and University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. In December of 2023, he began his first year of board service to the Delaware County (PA) Intermediate Unit, and seventh year as an elected official on the Radnor Township (PA) Board of School Directors. He has contributed to or led projects at the University of Michigan School of Education and Institute for Social Research, as well as the University of Pennsylvania International Literacy Institute and the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning.

Co-Founder of the Global Possibility Network at Penn GSE, Dr. Serapiao is a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) where he teaches courses in counseling for school-to-career transitions and organizational leadership. His research interests are on Human Development, Career Counselling, Talent Management and Leadership. Previous to joining Penn GSE, Flavio served as the Chief Human Resources officer at Lojas Americanas/B2W, the largest multichannel retail group in Latin America, which is controlled by 3G capital’s partners. With more than 25 years of executive experience, including the C-suite, he worked in several different areas such as: Management for Result & Leadership, Human Resources, Supply Chain & Operations, Sales & Marketing, Strategy & Planning, M&A integration and Innovation & Technology.

Katie Brennan holds a B.A. from Georgetown University, an Ed.M. in Education Policy from American University, and is currently pursuing a M.S.Ed. in Interdisciplinary Studies of Human Development at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to enrolling at UPenn, Katie spent over five years working as a corporate paralegal for a firm specializing in all aspects of real estate purchase and sales, and complex financing transactions for nationally recognized shopping centers and mixed-use property developments. Katie’s research analyzes the impact of economic inequities on child development. Her research applies an ecological framework to examine how communities are constructed and sustained by economic factors. By utilizing her background in real estate financing and complex ownership structures, education policy and applied developmental psychology, Katie’s goal is to shed light on the impact of neighborhood investments on childhood development.

Jackie Joyce, M.S.Ed. is a dynamic educator and certified school counselor with a deep commitment to education equity and student advocacy. She holds a Master of Science in Education in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish from Dickinson College.

Jackie has served in college access roles across Philadelphia and Camden, NJ, supporting over 1,000 students in their post-secondary planning. She also launched the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s first College and Career Readiness Senior Seminar, which became a system-wide initiative. Her direct service experience has driven her to engage in systems-level work to bridge preparedness gaps for first-generation, limited-income students. Jackie is also the founder of PossibilityU, which employs a possibility development framework to reimagine college admissions counseling through holistic support and early intervention.

Bruce Zou is a distinguished expert in organizational learning and workforce development, holding a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His research, supervised by Dr. Mike Nakkula, focuses on upskilling and reskilling solutions for international manufacturing companies in the U.S.

With a prolific career in international project management, Bruce has significantly contributed to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, facilitating investments and steering trade ventures from Asia. His cultural experiences from Shanghai to the U.S. enhance his cross-cultural capabilities.

Bruce's leadership in organizing trade missions and participating in events like the SelectUSA Investment Summit has attracted $9 billion in foreign direct investment, creating 2,000 jobs for Kentuckians. Honored as a "Kentucky Colonel," Bruce exemplifies academic excellence and professional dedication.

Bruce also holds Master’s in Education, and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s in International Commerce and Diplomacy, and a BBA from the University of Kentucky. He is also a Google Certified Data Analyst.