Dr. Mariana Diaz-Wionczek is a dedicated children’s media producer, advisor, and curriculum consultant with a passion for creating educational content that emphasizes inclusive storytelling and cultural authenticity. As a multicultural Latina, Mariana draws on her lived experiences to develop media that resonates with diverse audiences and nurtures children’s cognitive, language, and social-emotional development. She developed the educational framework for Alma’s Way and serves as an advisor across various projects at Fred Rogers Productions (FRP).

Mariana holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from CUNY’s Graduate Center and a B.A. from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She is the Executive Producer for the PBS KIDS series Rosie’s Rules and Co-Executive Producer for the first season of Dora, the reboot of Dora the Explorer, for which she served as Head of Education and Research and Producer for more than a decade.

Mariana’s recent work with generative AI and new technologies highlights her commitment to leveraging innovative tools to enhance children’s learning experiences and support families. Her extensive collaborations continue to inspire and empower the next generation of media creators and audiences.

She teaches the graduate course she designed, Psychological Influence of Children’s Media, in NYU’s Psychology Department. She also serves on Sesame Workshop’s International Surge Roster, is a review panelist for the National Science Foundation, and sits on the Advisory Board at Bridge Multimedia. She has delivered a TEDx talk on ethnic identity and remains an active contributor to industry discussions.

Dedicated to mentoring the next generation of diverse media creators, Mariana is actively involved in programs with the Children’s Media Association and Kidscreen. She is the proud mom of two amazing sons (plus a dog and two cats!). Raising her multicultural, bilingual family in Astoria, Queens is a constant source of inspiration for her work. Originally from Mexico City, she enjoys spending time in the countryside.