Ana Cubillo, The Jacobs Foundation

Describe yourself in three words or phrases.

Curious, determined, and flexible.

What do you like most about your job?

I most enjoy interacting with so many different people from diverse backgrounds, with us all working toward a shared goal: ensuring children have every opportunity they need to learn, develop, and thrive as the best versions of themselves. I also value the flexibility my role provides for developing and executing our new ideas.

Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you.

I’m currently overseeing the LEVANTE program (Learning Variability Network Exchange), a flagship initiative by the Jacobs Foundation. It brings together researchers from around the globe to provide evidence on how children learn and develop, and to improve our understanding of the complexities of developmental variability and its impact on learning outcomes. It’s been brilliant to work with Stanford University to bring on board our current cohort of LEVANTE sites, which includes institutions such as the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Germany and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in Argentina.

Beyond this, I also oversee the Foundation’s co-funding mechanism in Colombia – a multi-stakeholder partnership scaling up sustainable transformation. A key part of my role includes supporting the development of Education Evidence Labs (EdLabs), designed to embed evidence into decision-making processes. It’s very exciting to see how these mechanisms are helping bridge the gap between research and practice – whether at the national or local level.

What’s a piece of work you’re proud of – and what did it teach you?

I’m particularly proud of the progress of our work in Colombia. The combination of these experiences with those more directly related to research has significantly strengthened my ability to manage relationships with stakeholders across disciplines and sectors, from local decision-makers to university academics and private foundations.

I’ve also learned how critical it is to listen to what matters within different contexts. Regional, institutional, and historical factors all shape the effectiveness, impact, and long-term outcomes of initiatives, and recognizing these nuances is essential to successfully informing education practice through evidence.

What’s a small daily habit that helps you in your work?

Every morning, I do a 60- to 90-minute workout. I find this a great way to manage stress and boost my energy levels.

What’s one change you’d like to see in your sector over the next few years?

Greater recognition for the relevance of science in shaping educational solutions.

This means going beyond simply applying academic research to decision-making. I’d like to see a deeper understanding among stakeholders about the mechanisms that improve learning outcomes – so they can see not only what works, but why it works for one student and not for another.

What idea, book, podcast, or conversation has stayed with you recently?

I recently read Let’s Change the World by Emiliana Vegas. In this very personal and inspiring account, and drawing on her decades of experience working with international development organisations, Vegas reflects on the importance of balancing personal and professional life and new challenges with a sense of routine.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in this field?

Be patient. Take the time to truly interrogate and understand what is needed to address the challenges at hand.

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