Our Story

Reflection Sciences is the culmination of twenty years of groundbreaking research and unwavering passion for Executive Function. Phil Zelazo, Ph.D. and Stephanie Carlson, Ph.D., researchers at the University of Minnesota and Co-founders of Reflection Sciences, spent years studying Executive Function and determining how it could be improved, and how that, in turn, could improve early childhood education. They soon realized a key component was missing: an effective way to scientifically and objectively measure Executive Function in young children. With a growing appreciation of the need for services around Executive Function, and with support from the National Institutes of Health, the Co-founders created the best measure of Executive Function available today, a direct behavioral assessment of the neurocognitive skills that are most vital to academic and life success.

After seeing the effectiveness of the assessment in their own research, Dr. Carlson and Dr. Zelazo created Reflection Sciences in 2014 to bring it to the broader educational community. Our assessment and related products are now being used around the world to accurately measure Executive Function in preschools, K-12 schools, after-school programs, Head Start programs, pediatric clinics, and research universities.

Measuring Cognitive Flexibility, Working Memory, and Inhibitory Control Skills

Reflection Sciences is the culmination of twenty years of groundbreaking research, constant curiosity, and unwavering passion for Executive Function skills, development, and advocacy. Phil Zelazo, Ph.D. and Stephanie Carlson, Ph.D., researchers at the University of Minnesota and Co-founders of Reflection Sciences, spent years studying Executive Function and determining how it could be improved, and how that, in turn, could improve early childhood education. They soon realized a key component was missing: an effective way to scientifically and objectively measure Executive Function in young children. With a growing appreciation of the need for services around Executive Function, and with support from the National Institutes of Health, the Co-founders created the best measure of Executive Function available today – the Minnesota Executive Function Scale – a direct behavioral assessment of the neurocognitive skills that are most vital to academic and life success.

After seeing the effectiveness of the MEFS™ App in their own research, Dr. Carlson and Dr. Zelazo created Reflection Sciences in 2014 to bring the MEFS™ App to the broader educational community. It is now being used across the nation and internationally to accurately measure Executive Function in preschools, K-12 schools, after-school programs, Head Start programs, and pediatric clinics.

Our Mission

Our aim is to reduce gaps in achievement and opportunity by advancing the science and practice of Executive Function to accelerate learning. Research indicates our work is impactful, and we want educators worldwide to benefit directly from our products and services, contribute their own data, and play an active role in Executive Function growth.

Reflection Sciences Team

Isaac Van Wesep Chief Executive Officer
Education Technology Leader
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Shawn Wood Chief Technology Officer
Shawn Wood is our Chief Technology Officer responsible for Product and Technology. He has been…
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Hailey Buysse Director of Partnerships
Hailey Buysse is the Director of Partnerships here at Reflection Sciences. Before working with us,…
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Sindy Rodriguez Implementation Specialist
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Mills Snowden VP Sales & Marketing
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Jazz Williams, M.Ed. User Experience Design Lead
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Renae Ouillette Implementation Specialist
Renae is our implementation specialist. She has over 25 years of experience as a district-level…
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Eden Salley Staff Writer
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Heather Stobbs Implementation Specialist
Former school district administrator.
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Josh Harrod Client Success Manager
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Board of Directors

Stephanie M. Carlson, Ph.D. Chairman and Co-Founder
Dr. Stephanie Carlson is our Co-Founder and Distinguished McKnight University…
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Eileen Rudden Co-Founder, LearnLaunch
Former Chief, College and Career Preparation, Chicago Public Schools
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Isaac Van Wesep Chief Executive Officer
Education Technology Leader
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Mike Trimarchi CFO, Edmentum
Mike brings extensive experience scaling companies by improving business efficiencies…
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Phil Zelazo, Ph.D. Board Observer and Co-Founder
Phil Zelazo, Ph. D. is our Co-Founder and a Nancy…
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Andrew Morrow Board Observer
Technology Licensing Officer, Office of Technology Commercialization, University of Minnesota
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Advisors

Michael Feuer, Ph.D. Dean and Professor Of Education Policy, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, The George Washington University
Michael Feuer is Dean of the Graduate School of Education…
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Brenda Jones Harden, Ph.D. Professor of Department of Human Development And Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland College Park
Brenda Jones Harden is a Professor in the Department of…
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James Pennington Business Advisor
Began his career in education as a Physics Teacher, before…
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Shelley Bromberek-Lambert Business Advisor
Education Executive with over 30 years experience working in the…
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Ellen Galinsky Chief Science Officer of Bezos Family Foundation
Ellen Galinsky is the President of Families and Work Institute…
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