Dr. Brandee Mau joined Avant after eight years as a German and Russian Dual Language Immersion director in Utah and 16 years as a Wyoming high school German teacher and district curriculum facilitator. During this time, she developed curriculum and coached language teachers of all grades, contributed to multiple state standards revisions, served on state and national language association boards and committees, and worked to align proficiency and course expectations. Additionally, as part of the College Board committee, she created and developed the new AP German Language and Culture exam. She was also a Wyoming Department of Education Teacher of the Year finalist and an ACTFL National Teacher of the Year finalist. 
At Avant, she works with language learning leaders to support and grow language programs of all types. Her research interests focus on effective language learning, assessments, and fostering potential in our profession and our language students. After hours, Brandee loves spending time with family and friends, reading, planning and enjoying new adventures, and working in her flower beds.

Dr. Liza Trejo has been an adjunct professor for ESOL certification and a middle school ESOL teacher. She has also been a DLI Specialist and Coordinator for World Languages and Immersion before returning to the classroom. Her B.A. is in Spanish, she has an MAT in teaching Foreign Languages and a PhD in Language and Literacy. She specializes in teaching teachers, language and literacy and curriculum development. She has led districts across the country to use data to improve instruction, incorporate literacy strategies in their language courses and create curriculum. She is certified in Spanish K-12, ESOL, Elementary Education and Literacy Practices.

Marnina taught Spanish for nine years in Detroit Public Schools at Foreign Language Immersion and Culture Studies, collaborating on the development of Spanish I and II curricula and leading district-wide training. Previously, she taught English in Costa Rica, developing programs for all ages and cultivating a love for Latin dance and travel. As a Fulbright-Hays and Fund for Teachers fellow, she explored Afro-Latin culture in Brazil and Cuba, creating intercultural Spanish resources. Marnina later worked as an Instructional Strategist at Wayside Publishing, supporting teachers nationwide. She has presented at conferences such as MittenCI, MIWLA, and CSCTFL, and earned an ATD Instructional Design Certificate. Passionate about instructional design, she enjoys developing inspirational learning experiences and sharing strategies to make language teaching manageable, impactful, and joyful.