About Us
Our Leadership Team
David Beiser | Global Seed Founder & President
David Beiser is a recognized international educator with a passion for bridging cultures and fostering global understanding through education. With over three decades of experience in the field, David has dedicated his career to developing and implementing innovative educational programs that prepare students to thrive in an interconnected world.
David’s journey in international education began with his own experiences living and studying abroad, where he developed a deep appreciation for the transformative power of cross-cultural exchange. Throughout his career, David has worked with educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies across the globe. Since founding Global Seed, he has designed and led programs all over the world impacting thousands of students and educators. His expertise spans curriculum development, intercultural communication, and experiential learning. David is particularly passionate about creating opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. His innovative approach to education emphasizes real-world applications and the development of critical skills such as leadership, problem-solving, and cross-cultural competence.
Contact:
Deborah McKoy | CC+S/Y-PLAN Executive Director
Deborah L. McKoy (she/her) is a Research Professor of City and Regional Planning and Executive Director and Founder of the UC Berkeley Center for Cities + Schools at the Institute of Urban and Regional Development. Her research and teaching focus on the intersection of educational reform, urban & metropolitan planning, community development, and public policy. Central to her work is the critical role young people play in urban and metropolitan change and transformation.
For over two decades, Deborah’s work has bridged the worlds of research, policy, and practice, including a wide range of professional experiences: Consultant to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Chief of Economic Development at the NYC Housing Authority; Director of Refugee Services for CAMBA, a NYC non-profit organization; and Consultant to the United Nations Education For All initiative. Deborah has published numerous articles and reports for academic and peer-reviewed journals and her work and teaching have won a range of awards. She recently published the well-received book, Planning Cities With Young People and Schools: Forging Justice and Generating Joy with Amanda Eppley and Dr Shirl Buss, by Routledge Press.
Contact: debmckoy@berkeley.edu
Shirl Buss | Y-PLAN Creative Director
Shirl Buss is a designer, educator and urban planner. For more than 25 years, Shirl has worked with children and adults on architectural, interpretive design and community development projects, with a specialty in consensus-based participation in the design process. She is an award-winning researcher and educator who has lectured in design and architecture at San Francisco State University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and California College of the Arts. Shirl has directed programs, facilitated professional development workshops and taught K-college students in schools, museums and informal settings including SFMOMA, Headlands Center for the Arts, Zeum, Asian Art Museum, Museum of Children’s Art and Headlands Center for the Arts. Shirl feels that projects focused on the built environment create a framework for powerful learning about self, about the physical and natural world, and about community. The processes encouraged in the best design and architectural studios – critical thinking, creative problem solving, teamwork and integrative learning – are those which are central to a high-quality educational experience.
Shirl holds BA and MArch degrees from University of California, Los Angeles, an MA from Pacific Oaks College, and a PhD in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Contact: shirl@lsa-design.com
