Joann Blumenfeld is founder and program director of Catalyst. She is also a special education and STEM teacher at Broughton High School. This past school year, she was recipient of the 2018 Wake County Educator of Excellence Award from NC Department of Public Instruction, the 2019 North Carolina Excellence in Teaching Award from Council of Exceptional Children, and the 2018 Wake Electric Bright Ideas Tar Heel Teacher of the Week.

She has been a Kenan Fellow, NC Science Leadership Fellow, National Science Teacher Association Fellow, and National Endowment for Humanities Scholar and is a current World View Global Music Fellow. She is a lateral entry teacher who worked in STEM prior to teaching. She strives to make opportunities in STEM for all learners.