Meet Our Team

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Summer founded Sheng Global Education with a deep belief that every individual can flourish through education. She holds a PhD in Education and brings over a decade of experience in English language development for children and young people.

In 2015, she established a language school in Xiamen, China, which now serves over 200 students annually and continues to make a lasting impact on the local community. Summer has also held senior leadership roles in international schools, where she directed language centres supporting more than 500 students each year.

With hands-on expertise in educational leadership, curriculum design, and centre operations, Summer is passionate about mentoring aspiring educators and entrepreneurs. Whether you're launching a new centre or refining an existing setup, she provides step-by-step, personalised guidance rooted in real-world experience.

As a multilingual educator fluent in Hokkien, Mandarin, and English, Summer is a firm advocate for early language acquisition and cultural understanding. A dedicated mother of two, she also champions the power of children’s literature, believing that early exposure to quality English books lays a strong foundation for future language success.

CO-DIRECTOR & LEAD CONSULTANT

Alexander is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at University College London (UCL), where his research explores how people engage with online information, focusing on misinformation and the influence of AI. His academic work has strengthened his dedication to promoting reading during the crucial stages of early development.

As a father of two, Alexander values reading as a daily ritual that sparks imagination, encourages curiosity, and nurtures meaningful conversation. His family life and academic background shape a learning philosophy that is inquisitive, reflective, and deeply rooted in the power of stories.

Alongside his research, Alexander brings over five years of experience supporting international students in developing their English language skills, particularly in spoken communication. At Sheng Global Education, he contributes to the design of English training programmes for parents, carers, educators, and language centre leaders, with a strong emphasis on bilingual development and practical, real-world impact.

LEAD RESEARCHER & CONSULTANT

Melike holds a PhD in Early Childhood Education from UCL’s Institute of Education and an MA from the University of Sheffield. Her research focuses on how computational thinking and classroom dialogue support children’s cognitive and linguistic development, particularly through play, storytelling, and early reading.

Originally trained as an early years teacher in Türkiye, Melike brings together academic rigour and hands-on classroom experience. She is passionate about designing creative, child-centred learning environments that nurture curiosity, joy, and deep engagement.

As an international student and English learner herself, Melike has a personal understanding of the opportunities and challenges in bilingual development. At Sheng Global Education, she leads research on children’s cognitive and language growth and develops evidence-based English programmes for young learners.

Melike provides practical, research-informed guidance for educators, parents, and centre owners, helping them create nurturing, high-impact learning environments where children can thrive in English while also developing pride and confidence in their home language and cultural identity.

RESEARCHER, CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATOR & CENTRE DESIGN CONSULTANT

Cynthia is a creative force behind the visual storytelling, atmosphere, and spatial design of our learning environments and materials. She holds a BA in Textile Design from the China Academy of Art (2022) and an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art (2025).

Her illustration work is characterised by the use of bright colours, limited palettes, and a focus on expressive characters. She uses texture and line to capture emotion and detail, creating visuals that resonate with young readers. Cynthia also enjoys illustrating plants and transforming natural elements into simplified, playful patterns.

As both a researcher and illustrator, Cynthia brings picture books to life through artwork that is imaginative, emotionally engaging, and culturally inclusive. She curates and hand-selects English children’s books for our centres and libraries, ensuring every title reflects rich language, diverse perspectives, and creative storytelling.

In addition to her illustration and research work, Cynthia advises on the design of early childhood spaces, crafting environments that are literacy-rich, developmentally appropriate, and filled with warmth and wonder.

RESEARCHER & BOOKSELLER — Lena Peters

Lena studied Ceramic Design at Central Saint Martins, where her love of the visual arts shaped a lasting passion for children’s literature. She believes the most powerful picture books unite words and images to spark language, imagination, and emotion.

With over a decade in bookselling, Lena has managed children’s sections across the UK, curating collections, advising families and educators, and staying attuned to both new publishing trends and enduring classics.

At Sheng Global Education, she led the research and development of the organisation’s first English children’s book database, a growing collection of carefully reviewed titles. Working closely with schools, teachers, and parents, Lena selects picture books that champion early language learning, cultural diversity, and storytelling excellence.

Every title is assessed for literary and visual quality, age suitability, linguistic richness, and educational value, ensuring each one inspires and supports our mission to nurture multilingual, expressive, and curious young readers. We are deeply grateful for Lena’s expertise and dedication.

ARTIST & WEBSITE DESIGNER — Marianne Lumholdt

Marianne played a key role in shaping Sheng Global Education’s digital identity, designing the website, creating logos and slogans, and developing our overall branding. Her own journey of learning and exploring more than five languages brought depth and authenticity to her work, with her multilingual experiences woven into both the visual storytelling and the platform’s voice.

Her passion for English as an additional language and the benefits of multilingualism shaped not only our brand and website but also inspired our team and audience, making the platform more relatable, vibrant, and engaging for learners and educators alike.