Gladys Rosa-Mendoza is the Director of Design at Contentra, where she blends human-centered design with strategic insight to transform how publishers and institutions deliver knowledge. With more than two decades of leadership in publishing and design research, she has developed over 400 educational books and products for Pearson, McGraw Hill, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, World Book, and others. These resources have shaped the learning experiences of millions of students worldwide.
Her career highlights include leading a K–6 social studies program in Texas that generated $230 million in two years and developing a California reading program that captured more than 50 percent of the market share in its first year. Before joining Contentra, Gladys built the No. 1 English/Spanish children’s book series in the United States through me+mi publishing, inc., where eleven of her titles sold more than 100,000 copies each, well above the industry average. Her work has been showcased at Book Expo, Toy Fair, NABE, NAEYC, ILA, and ALA.
At Contentra, Gladys advances the company’s mission of content transformation by applying design research, ethnography, and visual communication to translate complex insights into strategies that drive educational impact and business growth. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is known for developing content that bridges cultures and connects communities.
More about Gladys
When she is not designing or collaborating with teams, Gladys enjoys exploring new museums, attending design conferences, and mentoring young creatives. She draws inspiration from her multicultural background and from the stories of learners whose lives have been changed by the power of education.
Why Educational Publishing?
For Gladys, educational publishing is about shaping futures by equipping learners with the tools to thrive in a changing world. She is passionate about creating resources that go beyond curriculum, making education meaningful, equitable, and transformative. Her work ensures that content not only informs but also inspires, empowering students to see knowledge as a lifelong journey.