Launch x Sanford is a speaker series with a focus on careers and non-linear pathways–thus the name ‘Launch x Sanford: Pathways and Professions.’ We welcome Sanford Middle and Upper School students to come meet and ask questions of our distinguished guests, all of whom are ready to talk about their own winding academic and career stories! Check this space often and listen at morning meetings for upcoming events!
Surinder is the co-founder of Smart Kidz Club, a global digital learning platform dedicated to improving early literacy by pairing mobile technology with high-quality, developmentally appropriate content. With more than 20 years of experience in publishing and IT, she launched Smart Kidz Club to inspire a lifelong love of reading and to give children around the world meaningful access to learning. Driven by the belief that education is the path to equity, she has authored over 52 children’s books and continues to champion engaging, culturally relevant resources that help young readers grow. She holds an MBA in Marketing and a BA in Economics from Delhi University. Beyond her work in digital education, she is deeply committed to uplifting young people. She serves as a judge for the University of Delaware’s Diamond Challenge, a global entrepreneurship competition for high school students, and previously mentored students through the Dual School program.
Prim is a digital workplace and collaboration leader who helps large companies work smarter by using modern technology. He designs the systems that make it easy for thousands of employees to communicate, share ideas, and stay productive—kind of like building the digital “infrastructure” that keeps a whole organization connected and running smoothly. He’s worked on major projects that bring teams together during big transitions, including mergers and new technology rollouts, and he focuses on creating tools that help people do their best work while staying secure in the cloud. What really sets him apart is how he leads people. He’s known for building strong, supportive teams and helping individuals grow from early-career talent into confident leaders. Through mentorship, trust, and a culture of constant learning, he creates an environment where people can develop real skills and make a meaningful impact.
Kajal Law is a Senior Relationship Manager at Millennium in London, where she builds strong partnerships with major clients and helps guide strategic decisions for the firm. Before joining Millennium, she served as an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley UK, one of the world’s leading financial institutions. There, she worked in Prime Brokerage, a division that supports hedge funds with trading, financing, and risk-management services. As the Head of Prime Brokerage, she played a key role in helping investment firms operate smoothly and successfully. Kajal is known for her ability to understand complex financial systems while also building strong, trusted relationships with the people she works with. Across her career, she has earned a reputation for leadership, professionalism, and clear communication. Today, she continues to grow her impact in the financial industry while serving as a mentor and role model for young people interested in business, finance, and global markets.
Michael Barlow is a partner at corporate law-firm, Abrams & Bayliss LLP. Michael received his Bachelors of Arts with Honors in economics and political science from the University of Delaware and then went on to pursue law at Harvard Law School. Michael has an extensive background in the field of law as he has previously worked as a law clerk as well as in other corporate law firms. He has most notably worked as Chief of Staff for Governor Jack Markell for 7 years!
Dr. John Powell is the chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Christiana Care, however his journey did not start in a hospital. John received his Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of Delaware and attended medical school at Thomas Jefferson University. He then went on to become a medical officer in the US Navy. After being stationed overseas for 3 years, he later received a Masters Degree in health care delivery science from Dartmouth.
Ryan Haydu is the director of global process owner strategic field operations at AztraZeneca. He was the administrative director of the ChristianaCare Kidney Transplant Program, with a prior career in pharmaceutical commercial operations. Ryan uses his extensive background in business management, analytics, sales, marketing, and leading teams to deliver high-quality solutions and create an exceptional experience for patients and staff. He has a passion for building successful programs, quality-driven processes, and leading a team of highly engaged professionals. Ryan received his MBA in marketing from Case Western Reserve University, a Master of Arts in communication from the University of Akron, and a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communication from Youngstown State University.
