2025 Speakers
Carla Engelbrecht, Founder & CEO, Betweened
Dr. Carla Engelbrecht, CEO & Founder of Betweened, is an internationally recognized expert in developing interactive and educational media. She led the interactive storytelling division at Netflix, which includes Emmy-award winning Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, You vs Wild with Bear Grylls, and Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale from Dreamworks Animation. She’s worked for Highlights for Children, Sesame Workshop, PBS KIDS, Literati, and WW (formerly Weight Watchers), and founded game design consulting firm No Crusts Interactive. Among her game credits are Elmo’s Musical Monsterpiece and Ready, Set, Grover! for Nintendo Wii and DS and indie game Stride & Prejudice. Carla is the author of Designing Games for Children: Developmental, Usability, and Design Considerations for Making Games for Kids (Focal Press 2014) and holds a doctorate in instructional technology and media from Columbia University as well as a master’s degree in media studies from the New School University. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Strong National Museum of Play, and in her free time, performs improv comedy with ComedySportz San Jose, enjoys backpacking and hiking, and has been known to make balloon animals and hats, which no longer amuses her 13-year-old daughter.
