Joe Campisi oversees process improvement efforts and is key to developing the organizational culture at LLN. He is a dedicated educator with over 25 years of experience in education, including 18 years in leadership roles. Throughout his career, Joe has worn many hats—superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, and teacher. Joe earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, along with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in education. He is certified in New Jersey as a school administrator, principal, teacher, and business administrator.

Joe has led work on curriculum, assessment, special education, human resources, recruiting, mental health initiatives, bond referendums, and construction projects. He has a strong record of collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies and has chaired institutional policy and compliance efforts. No matter the role, his focus has always been on doing what’s best for students and creating strong, supportive school communities. Driven by a passion for equity, innovation, and student-centered leadership, Joe continues to impact educational communities through vision, integrity, and service. At his core, Joe is passionate about building systems that work for the students, supporting educators, and fostering a positive, inclusive school culture.

Sierra Battaglia plays a pivotal role at LLN, overseeing the organization’s operational processes to ensure seamless management of everything from contracts to personnel. With an eye for efficiency and a commitment to excellence, Sierra ensures that the behind-the-scenes functions of LLN run smoothly—enabling the team to focus on delivering quality education.

Sierra began her career in marketing and business development, where she developed strong strategic and operational skills. However, her passion for education soon led her to transition into the field, starting at a small, Reggio-inspired school in New Jersey. This experience sparked her desire to combine her business acumen with her love for education, ultimately guiding her to LLN. At LLN, Sierra blends her expertise in marketing, business development, and operations with her deep commitment to educational excellence, making her a key player in both the growth and success of the organization.

Sierra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Business Administration from Montclair State University, a unique combination that allows her to approach her work with a well-rounded understanding of human behavior, organizational dynamics, and effective management.

Adam Shepherd plays a vital role in overseeing the professional development of LLN teachers, leveraging his extensive expertise in world language instruction and teaching methodologies to design and deliver impactful training programs. With a deep commitment to empowering educators, Adam focuses on creating training that not only enhances teaching practices but also enriches the learning experience for students across various language disciplines.

Adam’s diverse teaching experience spans public and private middle schools, high schools, and universities, where he has taught a wide array of subjects, including French, Arabic, German, English, and mathematics test preparation. This broad background has given him a well-rounded perspective on the unique challenges and opportunities educators face at different educational levels. His comprehensive language skills and global understanding enable him to create curriculum and training that bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, making learning accessible and engaging for a wide range of students.

Holding an impressive academic background, Adam earned a Bachelor of Arts in German from Ursinus College, a Master of Arts in French Education from Southern Oregon University, and a Master of Arts in German Language and Pedagogy from the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, he holds K-12 certifications in French and German and completed Middlebury’s Arabic intensive immersion program.

Jennifer King oversees talent acquisition at LLN, carefully selecting qualified teachers for LLN's partner schools. Before transitioning to education as a Spanish teacher with LLN, she spent 14 years at ViacomCBS, where she rose through the ranks in content strategy and programming. During her tenure, she demonstrated strong leadership abilities by mentoring and training new colleagues with effective communication skills. With a Master of Arts in Psychology focusing on human behavior and organizational psychology from Kean University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish from Susquehanna University, Jennifer brings a deep understanding of human development to her work. Her unique combination of media industry experience, educational knowledge, and people-focused approach continues to drive LLN’s success in talent acquisition, effective recruitment, and development.

Julissa Estrada is dedicated to building strong, personalized partnerships with schools to help them access the exceptional educational services offered by LLN. With over 10 years of experience in the education sector, Julissa specializes in understanding each school’s unique needs and working collaboratively to develop solutions that drive success for both students and educators.

Julissa began her career as a teacher in charter schools, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in diverse educational environments. Her teaching background, combined with her work with children in recreational sports, has given her a deep understanding of student development and the importance of creating engaging, well-rounded learning opportunities. Beyond her professional work, Julissa is an active member of her community’s educational system, serving as a board member for the Special Education Parental Advisory Committee. Her involvement in this capacity allows her to advocate for children’s educational needs and contribute to improving local educational policies.

Julissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix and remains passionate about making a positive impact in both her community and the field of education.

Mariana Dussan plays a crucial role at LLN by ensuring that all teachers and staff have the technology setup and support needed to succeed in their roles. Her work focuses on integrating technology with education to enhance both teaching and learning experiences—helping to streamline processes and ensure smooth operation across the organization.

With a diverse background in education, Mariana has taught as an ELL/ESL teacher—as well as a Spanish and humanities teacher—both in the United States and in Aruba. Her international teaching experience has given her a unique perspective on the varying educational needs of students from different cultural backgrounds. Prior to her career in education, Mariana worked as an independent content producer, ghostwriter, and entertainment producer for NBC Latino, where she developed strong skills in media production and content creation.

Mariana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology from Seton Hall University, providing her with a solid foundation in both education and technology.

Sandra Lorente brings over 20 years of diverse teaching experience to her role at LLN, where she leads the development of curriculum that enhances student learning while being intuitive and accessible for LLN teachers. Drawing from a rich background in both education and curriculum development, Sandra ensures that the learning materials she creates not only promote language acquisition but also support effective teaching practices in a wide range of educational settings.

Sandra began her teaching career as a teaching assistant at the University of Akron, where she honed her passion for language education. Over the years, she has taught students across elementary, middle, and high school levels, with experience in both public and private schools. Sandra’s expertise spans beyond classroom instruction. She has led efforts in developing world language curricula that are both rigorous and engaging for learners. Her approach focuses on creating meaningful learning experiences that prioritize real-life language communication—enabling students to apply their language skills in practical, everyday contexts.

Sandra’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Master of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Studies, a Master of Arts in Secondary Education, and a K-12 New Jersey teaching certification in Spanish.

Mirella Congiu brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role at LLN, where she manages relationships with partner schools and oversees the support and development of all LLN teachers. With a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, Mirella ensures that each educator has the resources, guidance, and professional development that they need to excel in their roles.

With over 10 years of experience in both assessment administration and teaching, Mirella has honed her skills in delivering quality instruction in both online and in-person settings. Her teaching experience spans preschool through 12th grade, specializing in Spanish and Italian. This extensive background allows her to bring a nuanced perspective to the support and development of educators across various grade levels and disciplines.

Before transitioning into the field of education, Mirella successfully managed administrative and sales teams in both domestic and international settings, gaining valuable leadership experience and a global perspective. This combination of educational expertise and business acumen enables Mirella to approach her work with a unique understanding of both operational needs and educational goals.

Mirella holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Pace University and a Master of Arts in Spanish from the University of North Carolina, which further—enriching her ability to bridge cultural, academic, and professional worlds.

Taylor John brings extensive experience in training coordination and implementation to LLN. With a penchant for research, Taylor consistently stays abreast of the latest legal and regulatory changes—ensuring that all training programs and compliance initiatives remain current and fully aligned with state and federal requirements. Over the years, Taylor has developed and executed comprehensive training programs for both trainers and trainees, with a focus on delivering impactful and compliant training experiences.

A standout in her role, Taylor is skilled in training the trainers, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to deliver consistent, high-quality training. Her leadership and commitment to staying informed have been instrumental in ensuring the organization’s training initiatives meet both regulatory standards and strategic objectives.