Our Team

Suzanne E. Hiller, PhD has worked in the field of education as a practitioner, professor, researcher, and evaluator for three decades. Notably, she was the Teacher Naturalist with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History wherein she designed curriculum with over 36,000 natural specimens. Her research interests center on STEM career motivation and achievement in outdoor programs through initiatives such as citizen science. She has authored books, book chapters, and articles on self-regulation, motivation, and metacognition for students, particularly in outdoor settings.

Michael Gardner is a senior finance executive with over 25 years of experience leading finance, accounting, and strategic planning functions for high-growth, private equity–backed and publicly traded companies. His industry experience spans cloud communications, healthcare, data centers, eCommerce, telecommunications, manufacturing, Insurance and Big Four public accounting. Michael brings deep expertise in financial strategy, FP&A, treasury and cash management, financial reporting and controls, and accounting operations. Known for building scalable finance organizations, improving financial transparency, and translating complex financial data into actionable insights that drive growth and value creation. He is a Certified Public Accountant, AICPA member and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from George Mason University.

Yaron Linett is the Principal Designer of Formal Traditional.  He has over 20 years experience in the interior design industry, a B.A. in Sociology from UMCP, and volunteers for the Stephens City Historical Preservation Committee, Scouts BSA, and previously the Fauquier County SPCA.  An avid networker, he has deep ties in the DMV area and beyond which he brings to the table for the Blue Swallow Farm Foundation  performing community outreach.

Ravinder K Sidhu is a professional with a background in bookkeeping for a decade, an MBA degree, and extensive experience in the education field for 20+ years. Beginning her career in the educational field with a bachelor’s in education, Ravinder honed her skills in management and leadership roles. Ravinder pursued an MBA during her journey in the education field, which equipped her with a deeper understanding of business operations, strategic planning, and leadership. This advanced education allowed Ravinder to seamlessly integrate financial insight with strategic decision-making, enhancing her ability to manage complex financial systems. Through her diverse experiences, Ravinder has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, a strong work ethic, and a dedication to fostering financial stability and growth within the education sector.

Taylor James is a financial advisor, entrepreneur, and long-time business owner with over 18 years of experience building and leading small businesses. She holds degrees in Finance and Art from Georgetown University and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

Raised in a military family and a dedicated dog lover, Taylor has raised funds through her businesses to help train service dogs each year for veterans in need. She believes deeply in the power of education, community engagement, and mission-driven leadership, and is honored to serve on the board of Blue Swallow Farm Foundation to help expand meaningful educational opportunities for future generations.

John Dahlberg is a versatile executive leader from the Human Capital industry and is passionate about helping companies increase the value of their most important asset – their people. He has worked with dozens of Global 2000 companies to drive transformational change at scale including Microsoft, General Motors, Fannie Mae, Federal Express, Coca Cola, The Royal Bank of Canada, Caterpillar, PricewaterhouseCoopers, SAIC, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Los Alamos National Labs. Early in his career, John recognized the strategic value of CRM and through tightly integrating the CRM Tech Stack; Sales, Marketing, and Operational Processes; and Sales Culture, organizations can drive accelerated value. He is an expert at business process engineering and has led CRM initiatives for over 20 years. Recently John has been focused on M&A projects and implemented a data science platform to drive forecasting models based on predictive customer buying behaviors. As a founder of Growth Sigma, John helps companies accelerate enterprise value by adopting an integrated customer experience through elevating the human potential of their teams. John lives with his family in Virginia and is a passionate home chef, gardener, and constant learner.

Carley Fisher-Maltese is an associate professor at George Mason University. She teaches the inclusive early childhood education math and science methods and project-based learning (PBL) courses in the College of Education and Human Development. Her research focuses on engaging diverse students through innovative technologies, such as virtual reality and learning about data science through real life examples using microcomputers and sensors. She also works with the local public school district in the STEAM program designing and implementing STEAM learning opportunities for K6 students, mentoring teachers how to teach STEAM, and leading the garden program and farmer’s market at her neighborhood elementary school. She is a strong advocate of experiential learning opportunities, outdoor learning, and promoting awareness about the importance of pollinators and the role they play in food and economic security.

Reeha Sidhu has a dynamic professional background, combining experience in bookkeeping with pursuits in real estate and nursing. Starting her career pursuing medical, Reeha has a passion for healthcare and developed a strong foundation with a bachelor’s in science for biology. While studying biology and nursing, Reeha also explored opportunities in real estate, gaining valuable knowledge in property management, real estate transactions, and market analysis. With her career as a bookkeeper, Reeha has developed a strong foundation in financial management. This unique combination of skills reflects her dedication to continuous learning and versatility. Through these varied experiences, Reeha has cultivated a well-rounded skill set, demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to excellence across multiple industries.