THE UNICORN TEAM
ERIN MOTE | CEO
Erin Mote is the CEO and Founder of InnovateEDU and co-founder of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter Schools (LAB). She leads InnovateEDU and its major projects including the development of Cortex, work on data interoperability, an urban education Fellowship to diversify the teacher pipeline, and supports for LAB's growth. Her work spans private sector collaborations and groundbreaking initiatives with Intel, Cisco, Google, and Mozilla, as well as work with leading US government technology partnerships. Erin served as the founding Chief of Party for the USAID Global Broadband and Innovations Alliance and has worked on numerous projects with the US Department of State and the White House. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband Eric, her son Robert, and her daughter Clare and bleeds maize and blue as a graduate of the University of Michigan.
LeaAnne Daughrity | Project Director
Dr. LeaAnne Daughrity is a nationally recognized leader in education technology and AI integration, bringing 20 years of experience driving innovation in K–12 learning environments. With a Ph.D. in Learning Technologies and a background that spans classroom teaching, EdTech leadership, and applied research, she has led impactful work at the intersection of digital inclusion, personalized learning, and ethical AI. Her expertise in product strategy, research-driven design, and interoperability positions her as a catalyst for systems-level change. At Project Unicorn, Dr. Daughrity supports the mission to strengthen data interoperability and build more connected, inclusive, and effective digital learning ecosystems for educators and students nationwide.
Erin Faye Caesar | Project Associate
Erin Faye Caesar is the Project Associate for Project Unicorn at InnovateEDU. Prior to this role she served as a Program Manager to a non-profit combatting food insecurity in Brooklyn, NY. She led programs and initiatives targeting health and wellness, culinary arts, and workforce development within under-resourced neighborhoods. After graduating from St.John’s University, Erin Faye worked as a Donor Relations Associate at Parkinson's Foundation. In this role, she provided front-line support to individual donors, ensuring that their experience was respectful, engaging, and of high quality while fostering trust with long-term donors. Erin is passionate about creating equity for underfunded communities and sectors. Her hope is to create a future where everyone has an equal opportunity for success.