Deborah Howes

President & Head of Learning

With over 30 years experience in digital transformations, Deb expertly guides clients in the planning and execution of new programs & processes. Her agile, “design-thinking” approach engages stakeholders in generative workshops that catalyzes new thinking about learning and learners. Her hands-on experience supporting diverse learning needs—especially as these pertain to digital platforms—was gained through her leadership appointments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, & Johns Hopkins University where she still teaches in the MA Museum Studies division.  Deb founded HSI as a New York S corporation in 2017. Past highlights include “With Open Eyes” at The Art Institute of Chicago (1990); the award-winning online resource illustrating 5,000 years of world art history: The Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (launched in 2000); and the first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for the Museum for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) on the Coursera platform (launched in 2013).

In her leadership role at HSI, she performs a range of educational consulting services– including digital production and online course design– for museums and other non-profit organizations. Deborah is a frequent presenter at conferences, and teaches regularly in the Museum Studies programs  at both Johns Hopkins University and University Tre Roma. Deborah earned a B.A. in Art History from Wellesley College and an M.A. in Education from University of Chicago.

Sophia Howes

Chief Experience Officer & Head of Production

As HSI’s co-founder and production head, Soph is integral to all aspects of HSI’s process for creating award-winning digital products, including research, design, build, test & evaluation. She also manages and/or creates the graphic, audio, & video media required by our clients. Her varied professional background includes online media production, event management, and both musical and dramatic performance. Clients value Soph’s creative take on designing content strategies, producing live & virtual events, and developing successful programs and platforms. Soph is dedicated to creating spaces, projects and programs that center critical thinking (and critical unlearning) for ALL people.