Our Team

Robin Appia, Founder & CEO of Educology Solutions (ESI), launched the company in 2009 as a bold, one-person startup with a clear vision: to build a high-performing, impact-driven technology firm capable of solving complex challenges across the public sectors. Under her leadership, ESI has assembled a powerhouse team of technical Subject Matter Experts, specialists, and trainers who design and deliver scalable solutions that drive measurable results for clients. 

Robin’s leadership is grounded in deep technical expertise and hands-on experience. She has successfully navigated the IT industry as a developer, technical delivery manager, and program manager, supporting complex Federal, State, and international initiatives before founding ESI. That multifaceted background enables her to bridge strategy and execution, ensuring that innovation is not just envisioned, but implemented with precision. 

She holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Howard University, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Slippery Rock University. Robin’s analytical rigor, combined with her forward-thinking leadership, continues to position ESI for sustained growth and industry impact. 

Robert Boakai serves as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Educology Solutions (ESI), directing corporate strategy and business growth. With over 25 years of executive leadership, Robert leads high-stakes pursuit activities and oversees the delivery of complex IT solutions for federal agencies. He aligns marketing intelligence with technical win strategies to ensure every pursuit reflects a robust architectural solution and a clear path to mission success. 

Prior to ESI, Robert held senior executive roles at ECCO Select and CACI International, architecting IT portfolios for the Department of Justice, the SEC, and various defense agencies. His foundational experience includes serving as a Branch Chief and Sr. Systems Engineer within the Intelligence Community, where he directed mission-critical systems integration and large-scale infrastructure consolidations. 

Robert holds an M.S. in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland. His expertise is supported by executive finance training from MIT Sloan and credentials as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. He is also IBM Proficient in watsonx Assistant and Orchestrate. 

Desirea L. Hughes brings over twenty-five years of experience building and executing human capital strategies supporting small government contractors. At ESI, she serves in a senior business operations leadership role, overseeing Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and the company’s portfolio of state government contracts. In her role supporting State Projects, she functions as both Executive Project Sponsor and Project Manager for select engagements, ensuring financial performance, client satisfaction, subcontractor oversight, and successful project delivery, while also supporting organic growth and new business pursuits in partnership with business development leadership. 

Throughout her career, Desi has partnered with executive leadership to support high-priority federal and state initiatives, aligning workforce solutions with mission-driven objectives. She is recognized as a trusted advisor and change agent, with a strong track record in team building, organizational development, and operational optimization. Her leadership approach emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and creating environments where people can perform at their best. 

Desi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Virginia State University.  She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Project Management Institute (PMI). 

With more than 20 years of experience supporting law enforcement, municipal government, and non-profits, Lonica is responsible for leading ESI’s Quality Management and Training initiatives. Detail oriented and personable, she leads training projects and works with a team to audit processes, perform quality reviews, and contributes to the identification of improvements. 

Routinely recognized for her commitment and service, Lonica also provides support for B&P activities and strategic initiatives for the company. Her dedication and commitment to business activities is a winning combination for the ESI team and its customers.  

Lonica attended North Carolina Central University and completed a number of trainings during her career in support of professional development and career growth. 

Desiree joined Educology Solutions in July 2025 as a Human Resources Generalist, bringing over six years of experience in HR operations and employee engagement. With a strong foundation in talent management and compliance, she is passionate about creating programs that support professional growth and foster a positive workplace culture. 

At ESI, Desiree plays a key role in managing HR processes and initiatives that align with organizational goals, ensuring employees have the resources and support they need to thrive. Her approach combines practical problem-solving with a people-first mindset, helping to drive efficiency and employee satisfaction across the company. 

Desiree holds a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). 

Mackenzie Freeman serves as a Jr. Technology Specialist at Educology Solutions, where she supports the organization’s digital presence and IT infrastructure. Beginning her journey at ESI as an intern, she has grown into a key contributor in website development, system testing, and digital initiatives that enhance both internal operations and external engagement. She plays an active role in improving web functionality and supporting platform enhancements to ensure ESI’s digital assets remain modern and aligned with organizational goals. 

Over the years, Mackenzie has developed and maintained websites for multiple organizations, strengthening her expertise in front-end development, analytics, and user experience. She also supports system validation and web testing efforts to ensure performance and usability standards are met. 

Mackenzie holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and an Applied Data Analytics Certificate from Fort Hays State University. 

Shaw Skurnick joined Educology Solutions in January of 2024 as the Senior Technical Recruiter where he supports staffing for both open funded positions on new and existing contracts as well as recruiting for proposal efforts. He is also actively involved in raising Educology’s Visibility in the local Washington DC Community through job fairs, community service activities and business networking.  

Before coming to Educology Solutions, over the last 20+ years, Shaw has done recruiting and staffing in the private security industry as well as recruiting for multiple defense contractors and has also done freelance recruiting with small businesses as well. He is very passionate about helping individuals find jobs where they will be happy and successful.  To that end, he coaches people on resume writing and job interviewing.  

Shaw holds a BA in Psychology & Anthropology from Brandeis University.  He is a Former Toastmaster, Rotarian, and is a member of Business Networking International (BNI). 

Joan Lee serves as Proposal Coordinator at ESI, bringing over 5 years of experience supporting business development and proposal operations within the government contracting sector. In this role, Joan manages proposal schedules, coordinates deliverables, and ensures strict compliance with solicitation requirements. Her organizational skills and dedication to process improvement contribute to ESI’s ability to produce high-quality, competitive, and timely proposal submissions. 

Prior to joining ESI, Joan coordinated proposals for prominent federal contractors, working closely with multi-disciplinary teams to secure significant contract awards. She possesses subject matter expertise in interpreting RFP requirements, orchestrating document management processes, and fostering seamless communication among proposal teams and subject matter experts. 

Joan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Bridgewater College and maintains an APMP certification in proposal management. 

Tiffany joined Educology Solutions in December 2024 as Office Manager, bringing over 10 years of experience in administrative operations, Tier 3 IT help desk support, and procurement. In this role, she supports executive leadership while overseeing daily office operations, coordinating internal processes, and ensuring organizational efficiency. She plays a key role in maintaining operational structure, supporting project teams, and strengthening internal systems that enable ESI to deliver high-quality services to its clients. 

Throughout her career, Tiffany has developed expertise in technical troubleshooting, process improvement, and vendor coordination. Her background in Tier 3 IT support allows her to resolve complex technical issues and implement system enhancements that improve productivity. In procurement, she has managed vendor relationships, coordinated purchasing activities, and maintained cost-control practices that support operational accountability and strategic alignment. 

Tiffany attended Savannah State University, where she studied Behavior Analysis.