Our Leadership Team

Meet the dedicated individuals driving Copperstone Education's mission to expand access to quality learning. Our passionate team brings together diverse expertise in education, technology, and operations, all united by a commitment to student success and innovation in online and hybrid learning across the Middle East and Africa.

Jeffrey Smith

Managing Director

Veronica Griffin

Vice President of Education

Eli Ghazel

Vice President of Curriculum Design

Azeezah Saheed

Operations Manager

Misti-Dawn Curry

Director of School Services

Our University Prep Specialists

The Copperstone Education University Prep Team is a group of elite, U.S.-based exam preparation experts with proven track records of helping students achieve top scores on the SAT®, ACT®, and AP® other university entrance exams. Combining deep subject expertise with engaging teaching methods and state-of-the-art digital tools, our team equips students with the strategies and confidence needed for success.

Becca Priede

Pepperdine University

Jeanette Figueroa

Texas A & M University

Melissa Cargnino

Georgetown University

Maneeza Khan

Johns Hopkins University

Carolyn Daniels

Northeastern University

John Alzate

Dartmouth University

Karen Wolff

Bradley University

Dr. Ann Lamb

University of South Dakota

Dylan Hall

Emory University

Jeffrey Smith

Managing Director

Jeffrey Smith is the Managing Director of Copperstone Education and Co-Founder of the Common Core Boot Camp, where his visionary leadership has driven innovative collaborations that expand opportunities for students and schools. With decades of success in international education, Jeffrey is recognized for building strategic partnerships that connect schools, families, and communities with impactful learning solutions. He has played a key role in launching high-impact academic initiatives, including the Copperstone University Exam Preparation, while fostering collaborations that enhance student outcomes and institutional growth. His leadership style emphasizes teamwork, shared vision, and long-term relationships, positioning Copperstone Education as a trusted partner in the region. Known for his ability to inspire others and unite stakeholders around common goals, Jeffrey continues to advance Copperstone’s mission of empowering students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed in higher education and beyond.

Veronica Griffin

Vice President of Education

For over 25 years, Veronica Griffin has distinguished herself as a service-oriented leader in academic and community spheres, now serving as Vice President of Education for Copperstone Education. Her extensive experience spans senior leadership roles across school systems in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, where she notably excelled in three Founding Director/Principal positions.
Leveraging her extensive experience and co-founding success with the Common Core Boot Camp, Veronica is spearheading the development of several key strategic initiatives at Copperstone. These include expanding professional development services in international schools under the Boot Camp's established framework and creating impactful secondary school programs designed to reach students across the Middle East and Africa.
Beyond her impactful professional journey, Veronica demonstrates a deep commitment to volunteerism, exemplified by her election as the Founding President of the Arabian Gulf Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 2020, leading a chapter of 83 members. Her exceptional leadership skills, combined with her genuine warmth and ability to connect with people, drive transformative change and underscore her dedication to empowering those around her.

Eli Ghazel

Vice President of Curriculum Design

Eli Ghazel, MA, serves as the Vice President of Curriculum Design, where he leads the implementation, training, and ongoing enhancement of Copperstone Education's curriculum.
With nearly 25 years of experience creating and delivering educational training across the Gulf, Middle East, UK, and USA, Eli brings a wealth of expertise to his role. He is a published author of several textbooks and has delivered professional development to thousands of educators.
Globally recognized for his insights, Eli is also a sought-after presenter and keynote speaker at English language learner conferences. His leadership ensures Copperstone's curriculum remains innovative and impactful.

Azeezah Saheed

Operations Manager

As Operations Manager, Azeezah Saheed provides crucial support to the executive leadership team in areas such as strategic planning, staffing, special project coordination, reporting, budget analysis, and customer care and support. Notably, Azeezah expertly manages all aspects of organizational planning for the Common Core Boot Camp, a key initiative organized by Copperstone.
A native of Lagos, Nigeria, and a graduate of the Yaba College of Technology, Azeezah honed her strong organizational, project management, and communication skills through early roles in the Nigerian government. Since moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2015 and transitioning to the education sector.
Azeezah has found a deep sense of purpose in Copperstone's mission to expand access to quality education, a passion instilled in her from a young age. Her meticulous approach and commitment are integral to Copperstone's operational success and impact.

Misti-Dawn Curry

Director of School Services

Misti-Dawn Curry serves as Director of School Services for Copperstone Education, where she oversees the Achievement Zone targeted school intervention program and supports international schools with the implementation of SAT and ACT Prep programs across the region. With two decades of experience, she combines expertise in curriculum design, professional development, and program training to strengthen teaching and learning in both in-person and virtual settings across the MENA region.
A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Misti-Dawn earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Tuskegee University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Literacy from Lesley University. She has served as a K–8 teacher, gifted and intervention educator, undergraduate instructor, and coordinator in both the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
She also holds certifications in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from the University of Toronto and Transformational Leadership from Murdoch University. Guided by her belief that “passion becomes powerful when it is practiced and made practical,” Misti-Dawn is committed to safeguarding student wellbeing and opening future pathways for learners.

Becca Priede

Pepperdine University

Becca, originally from North Carolina, holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Pepperdine University and a Master's in Development Economics from Université Paris-Est Créteil. With over five years of SAT tutoring experience, she has supported more than 300 students in their college preparation journeys.
Specializing in all sections of the SAT, Becca has designed customized curricula for the exam’s evolving digital format for multiple SAT agencies. She brings a deep understanding of the SAT and a personalized approach to her teaching—assessing each student’s strengths, addressing areas for improvement, and developing tailored study plans. Her focus is on mastering content, building exam confidence, and fostering a supportive environment where students feel empowered to excel.

Jeanette Figueroa

Texas A & M University

Dr. Jeanette Figueroa, a graduate of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, is passionate about inspiring curiosity and empowering students to see themselves as capable, critical thinkers. She takes joy in creating engaging learning experiences that connect academic concepts to real-world applications, helping students build both skill and confidence.
Her teaching philosophy is rooted in equity, relevance, and active learning. She designs curricula that not only challenge students intellectually but also honor their diverse backgrounds and voices. Believing that every learner brings unique strengths to the classroom, Dr. Figueroa is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where those strengths can thrive.

Melissa Cargnino

Georgetown University

A former litigator and proud Georgetown University alumna, Melissa has helped hundreds of students from across the globe boost their SAT test scores and write knockout college essays. Her students have been offered admission to schools including Columbia, Stanford, Dartmouth, University of Virginia, Georgetown, and Northwestern. These results come from thousands of hours breaking down SAT questions and essay writing into manageable, easy-to-digest steps. Melissa employs the Socratic Method during her sessions to ensure that students are active participants and able to articulate the necessary steps to answer the questions on their own. Students leave sessions energized and confident in their abilities.

Maneeza Khan

Johns Hopkins University

Maneeza Khan is a junior at Johns Hopkins University, attending on a full scholarship and majoring in Public Health. With over two years of tutoring experience, she specializes in SAT/ACT test preparation, IB Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and college application advising. She has successfully guided more than 50 students to achieve SAT scores between 1520 and 1600, with many earning admission to Ivy League and other top 20 U.S. universities.
Passionate about mentoring, Maneeza is dedicated to helping students become confident, engaged, and lifelong learners. She tailors her teaching approach to each student’s individual needs, fostering open communication and understanding through strong personal connections. Drawing on a range of resources—including test prep books, practice exams, and targeted mini-review sessions—she ensures her lessons are both effective and engaging.

Carolyn Daniels

Northeastern University

Carolyn Daniels is an education consultant and experienced mathematics and standardized test instructor. She graduated from Northeastern University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Early in her college career, Carolyn struggled with Calculus, an experience that transformed her approach to learning and inspired a versatile teaching style focused on building confidence, strengthening fundamentals, and emphasizing attention to detail.
With 25 years of teaching experience, Carolyn has developed a well-rounded skill set, including excellent communication, patience, and problem-solving abilities. She understands the anxiety that often accompanies testing and is dedicated to helping students overcome obstacles that impede their progress. Known for providing support in special circumstances, she adapts course material to meet the specific needs of each student.

John Alzate

Dartmouth University

John, a Dartmouth College alumnus, has worked in education for nearly 15 years, teaching over 400 students in SAT, ACT, IB Math, Calculus, and Writing. His students have achieved perfect SAT scores and gained admission to prestigious universities including Columbia, Yale, and NYU. His experience spans work with students at city non-profits, elite private schools for aspiring professional athletes, and international summer programs on the UC Berkeley campus.
For the past six years, John has taught remotely, working with students from Canada, the U.S., France, Brazil, the U.K., and China. His teaching philosophy focuses on identifying and addressing content gaps early, then steadily increasing the level of challenge. By incorporating students’ personal interests into lessons, he makes learning more engaging and ensures concepts are retained more effectively.

Karen Wolff

Bradley University

Karen, a graduate of Bradley University in Illinois, has nearly 20 years of experience teaching standardized tests and entrance exams. She is passionate about helping students master both the content and strategies needed to approach each test section effectively.
Her instructional approach involves guiding students through question types step by step: first modeling the thought process, then allowing students to practice independently, and finally reviewing and reinforcing key concepts. When a student struggles, Karen adapts her methods, particularly in math, exploring alternative strategies to ensure understanding. She finds great satisfaction in helping students make consistent progress toward achieving their score goals.

Dr. Ann Lamb

University of South Dakota

Dr. Ann F. Lamb brings over two decades of experience working with families and youth, including those with exceptionalities and diverse needs, in public and charter schools, community programs, and at the university level—both in-person and online. Her expertise spans behavior, assessment, curriculum and instruction, pedagogy, and methodology across PreK–college levels. She is well-versed in due process, assistive and instructional technology, improving academic outcomes, SAT/ACT preparation, and building English language skills.
Dr. Lamb embraces a student-led instructional approach that actively engages learners with the curriculum, boosting both their mastery and confidence. She finds joy in every stage of the teaching and learning process, believing that the enthusiasm she shares serves as a catalyst for student motivation and success.

Dylan Hall

Emory University

Hi! My name is Dylan Hall, and I am a student at Emory University. What I enjoy most about teaching is the opportunity to empower students. It is incredibly rewarding to help students move past the points of confusion and uncertainty into a place of confidence. With something as high-stakes and stressful as the SAT, I know how important it is for students to have strong support. As someone who once struggled with test-taking anxiety, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing my students gain confidence and believe in their own abilities. My teaching philosophy is centered on patience, positivity, and encouragement. I aim to create a space where students can feel comfortable asking any question, and can learn from mistakes instead of feeling bad about making them. Rather than focusing on tricks or shortcuts, I emphasize a deep understanding of the material.