OUR PEOPLE

Dr. Nancy B. Gutiérrez is President & Lead Executive Officer of The Leadership Academy, guiding the education nonprofit’s strategic direction and long-term growth. Under her leadership, the organization has gained national prominence, strengthening more than 15,000 K–12 education leaders, transforming over 430 school systems, and accelerating learning for 11.5 million students and counting.

A proud daughter of East San José, California, Nancy began her career as a teacher and principal in her home community. She founded Renaissance Academy, which became a California Distinguished School and the highest-performing school in the district. She also led the turnaround of the district’s lowest-performing middle school—the same school her mother had once attended. Her impact earned her the honor of California’s Middle Grades Principal of the Year. She later joined New York City Public Schools, leading an initiative to retain high-performing principals and helping them earn superintendent certification.

She joined The Leadership Academy in 2014, quickly becoming known for her dynamic presence, masterful facilitation, and exceptional coaching abilities with senior education leaders and their teams. Named President & Lead Executive Officer in 2018, she’s led exponential growth and impact, with The Leadership Academy’s work supporting educators in 41 states and Washington, D.C.

Recognized as a 2025 ASU+GSV “Innovator of Color,” one of City & State’s “100 Most Influential Education Leaders in New York,” a University of California, Davis “Rising Star,” and a San José State University “Distinguished Alumna,” Nancy is also a 2019 Pahara Fellow.

She co-authored “Stay and Prevail” (2023), highlighting the impact of education leaders investing in their home communities, and “Coaching Education Leaders” (2024), which shares The Leadership Academy’s groundbreaking coaching model. She is a frequent keynote speaker and her thought leadership has been featured in Education Week, Kappan, The74, and Hechinger Report.

Nancy holds a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, and is also a graduate of San José State University, UC Davis, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. She’s a faculty member at Columbia University’s Teachers College Summer Principals Academy and a former NYU adjunct professor and Harvard Principals’ Center expert guest.

She chairs the board of Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) and serves on the boards of The Hunt Institute, brightbeam, and The Neurodiversity Alliance.

Follow Nancy on LinkedIn.

As the Executive Director of Programs, Dr. David Baiz serves on The Leadership Academy’s Executive Leadership Cabinet, and oversees the organization’s work with leaders in K–12 schools, districts, and systems nationwide. With more than 20 years of education experience, he leads the teams that design and deliver programs and coaching, ensuring that professional learning empowers education leaders to cultivate thriving teams, engaged students, and resilient school communities. David also continues to facilitate client engagements and has worked with school and district leaders across more than a dozen states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, and Texas.

A champion of continuous growth, David drives internal learning for facilitators, coaches, and project managers, drawing on emerging best practices and helping staff bring innovative approaches to their work with school and district leaders. He joined The Leadership Academy in 2020 as a National Designer & Facilitator, after a career as an award-winning math teacher and later, principal.

David was previously principal of Global Tech Prep Middle School in East Harlem, New York. During his tenure, students experienced marked academic growth and the school earned praise for positive school culture, teacher effectiveness, and parent satisfaction. David also previously completed a doctoral residency with the College Board, where he led the expansion of two new AP courses to high schools across the country. Before starting his career in education, David was an Americorps member in New Orleans, focused on disaster relief post-Hurricane Katrina. He received a President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work.

He holds a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. He also holds a Master of Education Leadership from the Bank Street Graduate School of Education and a Master of Science in Education with a Mathematics concentration from the City College of New York. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from The Ohio State University. David is based in New York City.

As Executive Director of Business Development, Communications, and Finance, Mary Jo Dunnington serves on The Leadership Academy’s Executive Leadership Cabinet and is responsible for the teams leading sales strategy and client cultivation, communications and marketing, and finance. Her work aligns mission and resources, bridging external growth strategies with internal financial stewardship, to ensure the organization is offering services that meet the evolving needs of education leaders across the country. With a focus on fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability, she also manages budgeting, financial planning, and oversees accounting systems.

Mary Jo first joined the organization in 2011 as Vice President of National Initiatives, a role where she was tasked with growing The Leadership Academy’s footprint from its New York City origins. She helped expand the organization’s work into 20 new states, and to transform into a national provider of high-quality professional learning and coaching. Her connection to the organization began well before she was a member of the team: she was previously the Chief Operating Officer for the Partnership for New York City, which led the initial fundraising campaign that helped to launch The Leadership Academy.

Her leadership experience in education includes time as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for All Kinds of Minds, a nonprofit that provided training and tools for educators based on the unique ways that people learn. In her early career she developed and implemented teacher training and outreach programs and facilitated the development of teacher leadership networks for the National Geographic Society. She’s also served a mentor to students at the Young Women’s Leadership School in Harlem and the Higher Achievement Program in Washington, D.C.

Mary Jo holds a Master of Arts in Education and a Master of Business Administration, both from Stanford University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She also earned a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University. Mary Jo is based in Durham, North Carolina.

As the Executive Director of Learning & Strategy, Michelle Jarney is a member of The Leadership Academy’s Executive Cabinet and focuses on helping the organization learn from its work and strengthen effectiveness both internally and with school and district leaders. She oversees teams that work on research, evaluation, and impact, project management and internal learning, human resources, and technology. She also leads the grants and philanthropy team, partnering with foundations and other mission-aligned funders that share the organization’s belief in leadership as a lever for change.

Michelle helped to develop The Leadership Academy’s groundbreaking coaching model and is one of the co-authors of The Leadership Academy’s first book, “Coaching Education Leaders.” She continues to coach education leaders today and also facilitates engagements with school and district leaders, drawing from her extensive experience as a curriculum designer to build professional learning that champions leaders’ growth and helps them reach their goals. She’s worked with education leaders in more than 20 states.

She first joined The Leadership Academy in 2004, just one year after the organization was established. Over the course of her more than twenty-year career, she’s held roles where she oversaw coaching, led the expansion of coaching services nationwide, and led professional learning and coaching to specifically support new principals.

Prior to her work with The Leadership Academy, Michelle was the Director of Education for the Union Square Partnership. There, she developed an award-winning, public-private partnership that helped support New York City Public School students with innovative enrichment programs and career readiness opportunities. Her early career in education also includes time at The Dalton School and the Children’s Television Workshop.

Michelle holds a Master of Arts in Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. She is also a graduate of Union College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Spanish. She is based in the New York City tri-state area.

With nearly two decades of education experience in the classroom, as a school leader, and at nonprofits, Dr. Anthony King serves on The Leadership Academy’s Executive Leadership Cabinet as Executive Director of External Engagement. He forges partnerships and engages with nonprofits, funders, and sector leaders to advance The Leadership Academy’s work and impact. In addition to supporting business development and fundraising, he stays connected to education leaders’ needs by facilitating professional learning and coaching. Since joining The Leadership Academy in 2022, he’s worked closely with school and district leaders in Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Texas and more.

Previously, Anthony served as the Director of Continuous Improvement at the Sonoma County Office of Education in Santa Rosa, California. There, he supported school districts in advancing their improvement efforts and developing impactful Local Control and Accountability Plans. He also led the 21st Century California School Leadership Academy across five counties, focused on developing school leaders at every level of the education system. Prior to that, he worked in education policy and strategy as the Director of Strategic Leadership and Inclusion at Education First.

Anthony began his career as a third-grade teacher. After redesigning and implementing a targeted plan to improve student outcomes in English language arts and math—and seeing measurable gains on state assessments—he was inspired to expand his impact to school leadership roles, first as an assistant principal and then as a building principal.

He holds a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and an Education Specialist of Administration with an emphasis in Elementary Administration from the University of Central Missouri. He’s also a two-time graduate of the University of Missouri, where he earned a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphases in Math, Physics, and Black Studies. Anthony is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil is Superintendent of Schools for New York’s Uniondale Union Free School District, leading a community of more than 6,000 students and their families. Under her leadership, Uniondale has achieved historic results, including a 91% high school graduation rate, the launch of a five-year strategic plan, being named a nationally certified “My Brother’s Keeper Community” by the Obama Foundation, and becoming a model district for the New York State Latina Mentoring Initiative.

With nearly 30 years of education experience, Monique has served as a teacher, staff developer, principal, and assistant superintendent. She was previously Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, Programs, and Policy at the 20,000 student Brentwood School District. She also founded the Academy of Urban Planning High School in Brooklyn and held leadership roles with New York City Public Schools.

A nationally recognized leader, Monique has been honored as a “Superintendent to Watch” by the National School Public Relations Association, and presented at conferences hosted by the Aurora Institute, National School Boards Association, and National Alliance of Black School Educators. She brings an intentional focus on global education to her work and co-authored a chapter in “Global Leadership Perspectives on Industry, Society and Government,” focusing on women in school leadership here and abroad. She’s partnered with schools in Ghana and West Africa on literacy initiatives.

Monique serves on the Middle States Regional Council of The College Board, and the International Ethics Advisory Board of Woxsen University in India. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership, management, and policy from Seton Hall University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in history from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York.

Dr. Sonya Douglass is a Professor of Education Leadership and the Vice Chair of the Department of Organization and Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on education policy, politics, and leadership, and she teaches courses on that topic as well as the social and political contexts of urban education and school reform, and Black education in the post-civil rights era, among others.

She is the Co-Director of the Teachers College Urban Education Leaders Program, an Executive Ed.D. program for aspiring urban district-level school leaders. She is also the founding director of the Black Education Research Center (BERC), which conducts research to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of Black students in the United States and worldwide.

Sonya is the author of five lauded books, with her first book, 2011’s “Learning in a Burning House” receiving a Critics Choice Book Award from the American Educational Studies Association. She’s also published more than 20 journal articles, and presented or served as a keynote speaker at more than 100 conferences.

She served as faculty coordinator for the United States-South Africa Racial Justice Fellowship Program, a partnership between Teachers College and University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) funded by the U.S. Department of State, and board member for the Lemann Center for Leadership and Equity in Education headquartered in Brazil.

Sonya earned her doctorate in educational leadership and a Master of Public Administration, both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also holds an undergraduate degree in communications and journalism from Colorado State University.

Kriste Dragon is the Chief Executive Officer of Pahara Institute, an organization dedicated to supporting and sustaining diverse, values-driven leaders who are transforming public education. She previously served as the CEO and co-founder of Citizens of the World Charter Schools, a national network of public charter schools committed to helping students realize their full potential and thrive in a diverse society. Under her leadership, the network expanded to serve communities in Los Angeles, New York, and Kansas City.

Throughout her career, Kriste has been a champion for educational excellence. She began her work in education as a middle school teacher in South Los Angeles before expanding her impact by moving into leadership roles. At Teach For America, she served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles region and later as a Vice President of Regional Operations. She also directed professional development at UCLA’s Center X and chaired several charter school boards across Los Angeles.

Kriste is actively engaged in advancing the broader education sector. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the National Association of Charter School Authorizers and the Board of Directors for EdNavigator, an organization focused on student-centered improvements in public education. She also serves on the CCSA Advocates Political Council and is the founding co-chair of the National Advisory Board of The Collective, Teach For America’s alumni of color association.

She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama. Kriste is also a Broad Fellow, recognized for her commitment to strengthening leadership and innovation in public education.

Sharif El-Mekki is the founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, an organization dedicated to strengthening the national pipeline of Black teachers. Founded in 2019 as an extension of the Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice, the Center expands efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain Black male and female educators both locally and across the nation.

Sharif has been an educator for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and nationally recognized principal. He led Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus beginning in 2008, where his leadership helped the school earn national and state recognition. The campus was honored by President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, awarded the EPIC award three times for accelerating student achievement, and recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s top schools for Black student achievement. Additional honors included U.S. News & World Report’s bronze medal ranking in 2016, Schools That Can’s 2015 award, and PennCAN’s ranking as the seventh-best high school in the state for Black student achievement.

His contributions have been recognized nationally. In 2013, he served as a U.S. Department of Education Principal Ambassador Fellow, and in 2017 he won second prize in TheBestSchools.org’s Escalante-Gradillas Prize for Best in Education. He has also been named an America Achieves Fellow and received citations from the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives.

Sharif earned a Master of Arts in elementary education with administrative certification from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

David Flink is a social movement leader and lifelong advocate for students who learn differently. Identified with dyslexia and ADHD at a young age, he turned his personal journey into a powerful mission: to build a world where every learner is seen, heard, and valued. While a student at Brown University in 1998, David co-founded Eye to Eye, a peer-mentoring program for young people with learning differences. Over 25 years, that grassroots effort grew into The Neurodiversity Alliance, believed to be the only national organization run for and by people who are neurodivergent. Today, as Co-Founder and CEO, he leads the organization in its mission to transform education and society through greater understanding and inclusion.

David has delivered keynote talks at the International Dyslexia Association’s Annual Conference, the Education Revolution Conference at San Francisco’s Oracle Park, and the Arts and Special Education Conference at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

He is a previous Ashoka Fellow, Prime Movers Fellows, and Pahara Fellow, and has served on the boards of CAST, Generation Citizen, and on the New Profit Reimagine Learning Advisory Board. For his impact on the learning rights movement, he was recognized by GQ in 2015 as a “Man of the Year” by GQ, and named a 2021 “CNN Hero” by the news organization.

David earned a master’s degree in dis/ability studies in education from Columbia University and bachelor’s degrees with honors in education and psychology from Brown University. He is the author of “Thinking Differently” (2014), a guide for parents and educators supporting children with learning differences.

Dr. Ann M. Ishimaru is the Kerry & Linda Killinger Endowed Chair and Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy at the University of Washington College of Education, where her work centers on cultivating the leadership and solidarities of educators, students of color, families, and communities.

As a community-based and community-engaged researcher, Ann seeks to advance knowledge of leadership practices, organizational conditions, inquiry, systems change, and approaches that build trust across diverse communities, supporting them in shaping their own educational futures. She directs the Just Educational Leadership Institute and serves as Faculty Research Director of the Leadership for Learning EdD program, where she collaborates with leaders and networks to co-design educational systems rooted in data literacies, and relational practices.

Her work has been widely published in leading educational research journals and she is the author of two books. “Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change” (2025), co-written with Dr. Decoteau J. Irby reveals the complex work of sustaining justice-focused educational systems, and “Just Schools: Building Equitable Collaborations with Families and Communities” (2020), is a widely regarded work on partnership in education.

Ann holds a Doctorate in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she also earned a master’s in education policy management. She earned a master’s in curriculum and teacher education from Stanford University’s School of Education.

Dr. Eva Mejia has built her career at the intersection of education, innovation, and community. Born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico and based today in northern California, she is driven by a lifelong belief in learning as a catalyst for opportunity and transformation.

Eva is an Executive Director of IDEO, where she leads the firm’s education practice and its systems and strategy design work. With more than 20 years of experience in education and youth development, she is recognized as a trusted strategist, leadership coach, and organizational improvement expert.

Before joining IDEO, she served as Chief Program and Strategy Officer at Big Picture Learning, guiding a national network of schools centered on personalized, real-world learning. She also directed networked improvement science at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, mentoring teams in systems thinking and improvement methods. Earlier roles include curriculum design and coaching with the Data Wise Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and consulting with higher education institutions to strengthen student success strategies.

Her career began in direct service as a social worker, coordinating mentorship, parent engagement, and tutoring programs. This early work grounded her strengths-based approach and deepened her commitment to supporting young people and families across communities.

Eva holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as well as a Master of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stanford University.

Gene Pinkard serves as President of Instruction Partners, a national K-12 education nonprofit dedicated to strengthening instructional leadership in schools, systems, and states to improve outcomes for all students. He is the first person to hold the President role at the organization, where he oversees research and development, partnership programs, and professional learning for staff, ensuring schools and educators have the tools to help students thrive.

Gene previously served as Director of K-12 Leadership at the Aspen Institute, developing sector-leading resources and convening education leaders from across the nation. At Washington D.C. Public Schools, he was a cabinet member and Chief of School Design and Continuous Improvement, as well as a principal supervisor, where his teams advanced school turnaround, innovation, and programs supporting young men and educators of color.

Earlier in his career, Gene was a principal for nine years—first turning around an alternative charter high school and later leading a dual language elementary school—earning recognition for student and school success. He began his work in education as a teacher in rural South Africa before returning to classrooms in U.S. public and private schools.

Gene is a Pahara Fellow and currently serves on the boards of the Folger Shakespeare Library, Trinity Washington University and the School Leader Lab. His thought leadership has been featured in EdWeek, The 74, The Hechinger Report, and USA Today.

He holds a Master of School Administration from Trinity Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Theology from Georgetown University.

Jessica Santana is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of America On Tech (AOT), a national nonprofit preparing the next generation of technology leaders from underestimated communities. AOT creates pathways into technology degrees and careers through development, mentoring, networking, and professional experiences. Its work has been featured in outlets including Forbes, CNN, TechCrunch, BET, Huffington Post, and Black Enterprise.

Previously a technology consultant for JPMorgan Chase, Accenture, and Deloitte, Jessica’s leadership has earned her recognition that includes being named to Forbes 30 Under 30, Crain’s New York 40 Under 40, New York Nonprofit Media’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars, and Innov8tiv Magazine’s “50 Visionary Women Leaders to Watch.” City and State New York also named her a Brooklyn Hero and Causeartist included her among “37 Social Entrepreneurs to Watch.”

She is an Ashoka Emerging Innovator, Pahara Institute Next-Gen Leader, and World Economic Forum Global Shaper. She has held fellowships with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Stand Together Foundation, Roddenberry Foundation, REDF, Camelback Ventures, Points of Light Civic Accelerator, and 4.0 Schools. Additional honors include recognition as a Wells Fargo Millennial Activist, JPMorgan Chase Global Enterprise Technology Leader, Morgan Stanley Emerging Leader, and Deloitte Future Leaders Apprentice. She was also one of Univision’s inaugural technology anchors and a former Entrepreneur in Residence at General Assembly.

Jessica has spoken before more than 100 audiences, including at the White House, SXSW EDU, TechCrunch, Google for Entrepreneurs, Thomson Reuters, and Bloomberg. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting and technology from Syracuse University and completed Executive Education in Social Enterprise at Columbia University’s Business School.

Dr. Robert Sheffield is the Founding Partner and Managing Director of ScaleUp, a strategic growth consultancy that supports education organizations in scaling and sustaining evidence-based solutions that improve student outcomes. With deep expertise in organizational development, performance management, and leadership development, he is a highly sought-after consultant to nonprofits, startups, and philanthropic organizations.

Prior to launching ScaleUp, Robert served as President of CORE Learning, where he set the strategic vision and led the organization through a period of rapid growth that included national recognition in the New York Times, multiple U.S. Department of Education funding awards, and a merger with UnboundEd. Earlier, at WestEd, he directed the Quality Schools and Districts team, supporting high-priority schools that primarily serve diverse and low-income communities. He also held senior roles at the College Board, where he helped expand the SpringBoard program to 1.1 million additional students in just four years and contributed to the 2014 SpringBoard Math curriculum.

Robert’s pathway to executive leadership is grounded in his experience as an educator. He began his career as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional before teaching World and American History in his hometown of Daytona Beach, Florida. He later served as a district curriculum specialist and administrator, expanding college readiness opportunities for students, and returned to the classroom as a pre-service instructor at California State University, Long Beach, where he continues to teach future History/Social Science educators.

He earned his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Master of Science in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology from Nova Southeastern University, and his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.

Rens van den Broek is a partner at ghSMART, where he helps organizations build and develop winning leadership teams. He is passionate about empowering leaders and teams to unlock their full potential, maximize impact, and achieve meaningful goals. In addition to serving clients, Rens leads the firm’s continuous improvement efforts, ensuring that organizations experience the highest level of partnership and results.

For more than 15 years, Rens has worked alongside executive teams at Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized businesses, public entities, and nonprofits. His expertise spans setting bold strategies, strengthening organizational capabilities, and aligning talent to drive lasting success. Prior to joining ghSMART, he was a partner at McKinsey & Company in the Telecommunications, Media & Technology and Organization practices. There, he also led pro bono work in North America, advancing the firm’s support of underrepresented founders’ startups.

Rens’ career began at Houthoff, a leading Dutch law firm, where he specialized in corporate law and financial markets. He then transitioned to the nonprofit sector as Head of Financial Inclusion at Child and Youth Finance International. He also gained operational leadership experience as Assistant General Manager of Sales and Customer Experience at Shift Technologies.

He holds both a Master of Science in Economics of Markets, Organizations, and Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business from Erasmus School of Economics. He also earned a Master of Law in Company Law and a Bachelor of Law in Dutch Law from Erasmus School of Law. Rens is a certified executive coach through Newfield Networks and serves as a Global Council Member at Junior Achievement Worldwide.

Dr. Joanna Yip 葉天恩 is a multilingual learner consultant who partners with education leaders to strengthen strategic planning and curriculum strategy in support of student success. She most recently served as Director of State and District Engagements at the English Learners Success Forum, where she led the design and implementation of programming for states, districts, and professional learning organizations to advance a shared vision of multilingual learner inclusion in curriculum adoption and implementation.

Earlier in her career, Joanna supported language and literacy development for multilingual learners as an instructional coach with the Internationals Network for Public Schools, a network-level instructional lead with New Visions for Public Schools, and a facilitator of professional learning for educators. She also teaches in teacher and school administrator preparation programs in New York City.

Joanna is the co-author of “School-wide Systems for Multilingual Learner Success” and “Sentence Strategies for Multilingual Learners,” two books that provide practical guidance for educators. She brings expertise that bridges research, policy, and practice, drawing on her experience as a school leader, coach, and instructional specialist.

She earned a Ph.D. in Urban Education Policy from the City University of New York Graduate Center, a Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Hunter College of the City University of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Barnard College. She holds professional coaching certifications from the Co-Active Training Institute and New York University’s School for Professional Studies.

Jonathan M. Moses is a Partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen, & Katz, and co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. He represents clients across a wide range of industries, including financial institutions, media companies, and industrial firms. His practice spans complex commercial and securities litigation, antitrust matters, government investigations, and both international and domestic arbitration.

He also oversees the firm’s pro bono efforts, maintaining an active pro bono docket. His professional service extends beyond his legal practice. He is a past president of the Federal Bar Council in the Second Circuit and a member of the American Law Institute. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Stephen F. Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Before joining the firm in 1998, Jonathan served as an attorney for the New York Daily News, where he handled First Amendment issues. Earlier in his career, he was a journalist, working as a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal and in other reporting roles

Jonathan is deeply committed to public service, education and civic leadership. In addition to being the chair of The Leadership Academy’s board of directors, he also serves on the boards of The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization focused on criminal justice, and of The New York Historical, which has the distinction of being New York City’s first museum. He was previously on the board of Prep for Prep, a leadership development dedicated to expanding educational access.

The recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship that took him to Hong Kong after graduating from college, Jonathan earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.

Dr. Kerri Briggs is the Executive Director of Educate Texas, an initiative of the Communities Foundation of Texas. She leads the organization’s efforts to help solve some of the biggest challenges in public education.

Her extensive education career spans a variety of roles in nonprofits, school systems, companies, and government, including serving as the Chief of Staff in Texas’ Houston I.S.D., and as the State Superintendent of Education for Washington D.C. Kerri spent nearly eight years serving in the U.S. Department of Education, with roles in the Office of the Deputy Secretary, followed by the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, before ultimately being appointed the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education by President George W. Bush. She was later the founding Director of Education Reform at the George W. Bush Institute.

Kerri’s work in the private sector also centered K-12 education. She was previously a partner at Cicero Group, where she helped to measure, evaluate, and implement strategies that realize change. She was also previously an Education Program and Policy Officer for ExxonMobil, where she managed the education grantmaking portfolio and provided counsel on issues related to federal policy, state standards, and teacher quality.

A 2019 Pahara Fellow, Kerri holds advanced degrees from the University of Southern California, including a Ph.D. in Education Policy and a master’s degree in public policy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Brandon Cardet-Hernandez is President of Mrs Wordsmith, where he’s transformed the company into a global leader in education, inspiring millions of children to embrace reading and writing. Under his leadership, Mrs Wordsmith has redefined how children learn, leveraging research-driven tools that blend the science of reading with storytelling and game design.

Throughout his career, Brandon’s challenged convention to drive lasting change across classrooms, school systems, and cities. As Senior Education Advisor to former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, he led initiatives that reshaped the nation’s largest school system—expanding early childhood education, investing $30 million in restorative justice, and launching a groundbreaking effort to attract and retain teachers in high-need schools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped sustain learning for 1.1 million students.

As principal of The Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters, Brandon led a turnaround that became a model for urban school transformation. His approach—rooted in high expectations, innovation, and student voice—raised graduation and college readiness rates while empowering students to lead change.

He later served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the NYC Department of Education and as Executive Director of Ivy Street Programs, where he expanded access for neurodivergent young people and advanced disability justice. Brandon remains active in advocacy today, serving on the Boston School Committee and the Massachusetts Council for Latino Empowerment.

An alumnus of The Leadership Academy’s Aspiring Principals Program, Brandon holds master’s degrees in educational leadership and as a teacher of students with disabilities, both from The City University of New York. He also earned a school district leader certification from Queens College and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from The New School.

Dr. Kendra Ferguson has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing educational opportunities for all students as a teacher, principal, mentor, and school system leader. She is the Founder and Principal of Ferguson Brown Consulting Group, where she and her partners provide strategic, operational, and mindful organizational support to help leaders and teams achieve excellence.

Before launching her consulting practice, Kendra served as Chief Executive Officer of KIPP Memphis, a seven-school charter network with a 100 percent high school graduation rate and 87 percent college matriculation rate. Earlier, she was Chief People Officer and Chief of Schools at KIPP Bay Area Schools (now KIPP NorCal). During her five-year tenure, all of the network’s schools earned the national Blue Ribbon designation, student success indicators rose significantly, and teacher diversity increased. Kendra also held leadership roles at the KIPP Foundation, consulted for charter and traditional schools nationwide, and was a founding school leader with Aspire Public Schools.

Incorporating her practice as a Gestalt theorist, Kendra highlights the roles of interventions, resistance, awareness and presences as the client digs deep into their current condition. Kendra partners with organizations to clarify and design where they want and need to go. She is certified by the International Gestalt Organizational Leadership & Development Program.

A nationally recognized coach and mentor, Kendra continues to guide educational leaders across the country. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National-Louis University, completing a dissertation on sponsorship as a pathway to executive success for African American women. She also holds a master’s degree in education policy analysis and administration from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington.

Marisa Gondrez is the Head of Legal U.S. and the New York Director of Operations for Maven Securities U.S. Limited, a market-leading proprietary trading firm. In her dual role, she is responsible for all legal matters relating to Maven’s U.S. business, including oversight of the firm’s proprietary trading and market-making activities, regulatory compliance, and broker-dealer operations. As Director of Operations, Marisa also ensures the effective use of resources and smooth day-to-day operations of Maven’s New York office, helping to strengthen the company’s footprint in the U.S. market.

Marisa has more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Maven, she served for over ten years as General Counsel for Portfolio and Corporate Finance at Sculptor Capital Management (formerly Och-Ziff Capital Management), where she advised on a wide range of corporate, transactional, and regulatory issues. Earlier in her career, she practiced law as an Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP and Dewey Ballantine LLP.

Over the course of her career, Marisa has developed deep expertise in the negotiation, structuring, and documentation of complex transactions. Her experience spans over-the-counter and exchange-traded derivatives, financing arrangements, investment management matters, broker-dealer compliance, employment law, and general corporate governance. Known for her ability to navigate complex legal frameworks while supporting business growth, she has been a trusted advisor to both executives and investment professionals.

Marisa earned a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Japanese from Tufts University.

Bibb Hubbard is the founder and CEO of Learning Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to helping parents advocate effectively for their children’s educational success. Grounded in her belief that public education is a critical driver of opportunity and economic mobility, Bibb launched Learning Heroes to strengthen the partnership between families and educators so that every child has the support they need to thrive.

With more than two decades of experience in communications, policy, and advocacy, Bibb has led efforts across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors. She previously held leadership roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Widmeyer Communications, and Scholastic. Her public service includes positions at the White House, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Senate, where she developed a deep understanding of how policy and practice intersect to shape student opportunity.

Bibb is recognized nationally as a leading voice on parent mindsets and family engagement in education. Her insights and work have been featured on “Good Morning America,” and in The New York Times, TIME, The Hill, Education Week, The Washington Post, and other outlets. A frequent speaker, she is sought after for her expertise on the ways families and schools can collaborate to support student learning, well-being, and long-term success.

Beyond her leadership at Learning Heroes, Bibb is deeply engaged in advancing the education field. She is a Pahara Fellow, and has contributed to the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on the American Workforce through its Working Group on Elementary and Secondary Education.

Bibb earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Dickinson College.

A partner at national law firm BCLP, Erik W. Kahn has served clients across industries including software, telecommunications, financial services, consumer brands, healthcare, aviation, entertainment, publishing, and fashion. He has extensive experience in complex technology transactions and intellectual property protection, advising on all aspects of technology development, acquisition, licensing, and transfer; global brand protection and enforcement strategies; content and brand licensing; intellectual property in corporate transactions; and audits of intellectual property portfolios. His practice also includes litigation involving trademark and trade dress infringement, copyright infringement, domain name disputes, licensing conflicts, and defamation.

Erik’s expertise in his field is widely recognized. World Trademark Review has recommended him in New York since 2018 for his skill in managing complex technology transactions and intellectual property litigation. He is also listed in Best Lawyers in America and New York Super Lawyers, reflecting his strong reputation among peers and clients alike. A leader within his firm, Erik previously served on its executive committee and led the global Intellectual Property practice group. He has represented a wide range of clients across the country.

His civic engagement includes serving on the board of directors for organizations that include Public Health Solutions and Pibolous Dance Theater, and he is a Corporate Partner for the Partnership for New York City.

He is admitted to practice in New York and before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the Second and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Erik earned his Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Mark Kornblau is Managing Partner and Global Head of Communications for Softbank Group, one of the world’s largest technology investment firms. There, he leads communications and brand strategy across SoftBank and partners with its 450+ portfolio companies. Prior to that, Mark was Executive Vice President of Communications for NBCUniversal News Group, where he oversaw communications for an award-winning portfolio of news brands including NBC News, MSNBC, TODAY, Nightly News, Meet the Press, and all related digital properties. He also previously served as Managing Director of Corporate Communications for JP Morgan Chase. Mark’s career includes experience in politics and government as well. During the Obama Administration, he led strategic communications and message development for U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice at the United Nations. He’s also held senior communications roles with two U.S. presidential campaigns as well as for elected officials in the U.S. House and Senate. Mark earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  

Dr. Jessica Mindnich is the Senior Director of Strategic Learning and Evaluation at The Mellon Foundation. She works with leadership and program teams to weave a thread of evaluation and learning throughout the Foundation’s work, helping to build its capacity for strategic learning and evaluation in its grantmaking portfolio.

Prior to joining Mellon, Jessica was the Senior Director of Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Stories for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. She also previously worked at the San Francisco Foundation where she created the evaluation department, and at Children Now, where she led the research department.

Jessica has long been an advocate for more just systems. As the descendant of migrant farm workers, she grew up with a keen awareness of inequity while holding onto the immigrant optimism that had been passed down to her. Her commitment to equity has remained steadfast throughout her career. Notably, Jessica spent nearly a decade using her analytical skills to bring attention to inequities in the health, education, and well-being of California’s children. As a policy advocate, she championed critical policies including the expansion of Medi-Cal to include undocumented children, an overhaul of school discipline policies, and the passage of California’s Local Control Funding Formula which ties state funds to student needs. She is also deeply committed to leadership development, having served on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s National KIDS COUNT Steering Committee, as well as participating in their Leadership in State-Based Advocacy Program, leading as a Results Count organizational resource, and participating in their Advanced Practitioners Program for Results Count Leaders.

Jessica is a three-time graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Dr. Hector Montenegro has dedicated his career to advancing student success through leadership, inclusion, and innovation. He is President and CEO of Montenegro Consulting Group, LLC, where he advises school districts nationally and internationally on transformation, the systemic implementation of Social and Emotional Learning, English learner strategies, and leadership development.

Hector started his education career as a junior and senior high school math teacher in San Jose, California, before later teaching in Washington D.C. He moved into leadership, as an assistant principal, then principal there and in Virginia, and then became Chief of Staff for D.C. Public Schools. He went on to hold leadership roles in Texas as a principal, area superintendent in Austin, deputy superintendent in Dallas, and superintendent of schools in San Marcos, Ysleta, and Arlington. He was also an area superintendent in San Diego, California.

An internationally recognized speaker, Hector has presented hundreds of workshops, seminars, keynotes, and webinars across the U.S. and in more than 23 countries. He has also served as an educational advisor to Guatemala, Chile, Peru, and Saudi Arabia through the U.S. State Department.

Hector’s leadership has earned him numerous awards, including the National Technology Savvy Superintendents Award, the Texas Technology Superintendent of the Year Award, the Texas Association for Bilingual Education Honoree Award, and the National LULAC Educator of the Year Award. He’s served on the board of directors for Educational Leadership and Parent-Teacher Home Visits.

A founding member of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), he is co-director of the ALAS Superintendent’s Leadership Academy.

Hector earned a doctorate in education from the University of Texas, Austin, and a master’s degree from Stanford University.

Jeanny Pak is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the New York City Economic Development Corporation. With more than 25 years of experience in public investment finance, she oversees all the financials for the organization, which focuses on helping to position the city as a great place for people and companies to call home. Previously, she was Managing Director and Head of the East Region Public Finance Division for UBS Financial Services. In that role, she led the firm’s efforts in providing financial solutions to states and municipalities in the New York/Mid-Atlantic region, raising capital for vital public infrastructure and projects. Throughout her career she’s worked closely with New York State, New York City, and a variety of New York governmental authorities such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Dormitory Authority of NY, Port Authority of NY & NJ, New York City Municipal Finance Authority, and Empire State Development Corporation. Jeanny’s experience also includes tenure at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and at Jefferies. Prior to her career in public finance, Jeanny taught elementary school in Houston as an inaugural Teach for America corps member. She later joined the Teach for America organization’s New York headquarters, where worked to train, place, and support corps members throughout the country. Jeanny graduated cum laude from Cornell University and holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Diane Robinson, Ed.L.D., is a filmmaker and the founder of Yard Girl Productions, developing and producing stories that create meaningful societal impact. Her first film, “The Young Vote,” follows young adults through the 2020 election, capturing what motivates them to participate in democracy. It’s available to schools and colleges and can be seen on PBS. She is currently developing her next two film projects. Diane is also a leadership consultant, drawing on her storytelling expertise and years on the front lines of education to provide strategic and philanthropic support to nonprofit executives.

With more than two decades of experience as an education leader, Diane began her career as an elementary school bilingual teacher. Later, she held leadership roles with Teach for America in California and Hawaii, where she oversaw site development, helped lead fundraising, and served as executive director and a senior team member. Diane also worked at the KIPP Foundation, where she led national recruitment for school leaders and helped to scale that organization. She later expanded her focus globally, joining the nonprofit Teach For All. There, she worked to secure the resources to grow the organization’s presence and impact in Africa.

Diane earned a Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, a master’s degree in education from California State University-Dominguez Hills, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Vassar College. Diane is a 2025 Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Resident, a 2021 Pahara Fellow, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Dr. Darline Robles is an expert in urban education, program development, and school leadership. A Professor of Clinical Education and Associate Dean at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, she teaches and serves as dissertation chair for students pursuing doctorate degrees and oversees the professional learning department, managing programs serving the broader K-12 community.

Before joining USC, Darline was a school superintendent for twenty years in three public school organizations. She retired after serving eight years as the County superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), the nation’s largest regional service agency where she was the first Latina to ever hold the role. Prior to that, she was chief of the Salt Lake City School District for eight years and was recognized for raising student achievement. Dr. Robles also served as Superintendent of the Montebello Unified School District, where she successfully averted a state takeover.

Her leadership and impact have been widely recognized. She was twice named to Hispanic Business Magazine’s list of “Top 100 Influential Hispanic Americans,” honored as “Woman of the Year” by the L.A. County Commission for Women, and was recognized in 2022 by MALDEF, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She also served for six years on President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

She holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Administration from USC, a bachelor’s degree in history from California State University, Los Angeles, and an associate’s degree from East Los Angeles College. Darline is the co-author of two books, “A Culturally Proficient Society Begins in School” and “Now What? Confronting Uncomfortable Truths About Inequity in Schools.”

Scott Widmeyer has spent his career providing strategic counsel to scores of decision-makers, including presidents, governors, chief executive officers, and union leaders. His track record of successes in education, health care, politics, campaign finance, technology, trade and other public policy matters illustrate his impact as a change agent. Scott founded Widmeyer Communications in 1988, building on a career in newspaper reporting and serving in major communications positions for highly respected leaders including President Jimmy Carter, Vice President Walter Mondale, U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, and the American Federation of Teachers president Albert Shanker. Scott was named to the PR News Hall of Fame in 2010, and his firm was later recognized for Diversity Distinction in Public Relations by the Council of Public Relations Firms. Widmeyer Communications became a Finn Partners company in 2013.

Active in many civic and philanthropic causes past and present, Scott’s community involvement has included serving on the boards of the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications, the Catskill Mountain Foundation, the Country Roads Angel Network, the LGBT Community Center of New York, the Contemporary American Theater Festival, and the Education Writers Association. He has been the National Council chair of the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs since 2017. He is a past David Rockefeller Fellow, a Partnership for New York City program that prepares senior executives for active leadership in civic and public affairs.

His commitment to education-focused causes is significant. He was a member of the concept team that developed “A Celebration of Teaching & Learning,” a 10-year effort by WNET/Channel Thirteen to showcase great teaching in New York-area schools and nationwide. This initiative, at its peak, attracted up to 10,000 educators and Scott played a lead role in generating nearly $30 million in funder support from the corporate, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors. He was also part of a group that led “Public Schools for the 21^st Century,” a two-year program grounded to promote the value of public education and showcase the amazing talent and graduates who benefitted from public schools.

Scott is a graduate of West Virginia University (WVU) where he has established two scholarship funds to benefit African-American and first-generation West Virginian college students seeking a degree in journalism. To date, more than 50 students have benefited from these scholarships, and in 2005, his firm established the endowed Widmeyer Communications Professorship in Public Relations at WVU. He has received the university’s most prestigious journalism award, The P.I. Reed Achievement Award, and in 2009 he was inducted into the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni. Former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise also recognized Scott with the highest honor the state’s leader can bestow, the “Distinguished West Virginian Award.”

Former West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise has spent his career advancing education opportunities for our nation’s students. He recently completed 14 years as president of the Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed), a Washington, DC–based national nonprofit that has become a national leader in advocating the policies and practices necessary for secondary school students to be ready for postsecondary education and careers. Currently coordinating the development of the Global Science of Learning Education Network (GSoLEN), Gov. Wise’s accomplishments include leading the development of Future Ready Schools®, a network of 3300 school districts committed to the effective use of digital learning to assist teachers and improve student learning outcomes. He recently launched a science of adolescent learning initiative to guide education policy and practice decisions. He works closely with school district, state, and national leaders for evidence-based systems-change that advances 21^st century learning that meets each student’s needs. After serving twenty-four years as governor, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and state legislator, Gov. Wise has become a prominent speaker and advisor on education issues and trends. He has advised the U.S. Department of Education, White House, and key state and federal policymakers. As governor and U.S. congressman, he focused on  improving financial aid for college and early childhood development. Gov. Wise authored Raising the Grade: How High School Reform Can Save Our Youth and Our Nation. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a J.D. from Tulane University. Working from Washington, D.C. and California, Gov. Wise constantly strives to improve education opportunities for all students.

As a Director of Leadership Development, Ashley Brailsford serves as a project manager for The Leadership Academy’s engagements with school and district clients, ensuring that the organization’s work with education leaders delivers on its promise. She helps to align programs with client goals, ensuring that professional learning and coaching achieves system and district clients’ desired outcomes and always strengthens the education leaders who are participating. Ashley has supported clients in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington D.C.

She joined The Leadership Academy in 2021 as an Associate Director of Leadership Development before subsequently being promoted to her current role. Building on her project management expertise, she has also supported the organization’s strategic partnership efforts by helping to develop tailored proposals and project scopes for education leaders. She’s also engaged with potential clients to identify needs and create learning and coaching proposals that address their specific district and system challenges.

Ashley’s experience with education nonprofits precedes her time with The Leadership Academy. She spent nearly a decade with Council for Aid to Education where she held a variety of roles focused on client relationship management, strategic partnerships, and on planning, executing and managing projections.

Ashley is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. She is based in New York City.

As a Director of Leadership Development at The Leadership Academy, Lindsey Brown partners with schools and districts to manage projects and assist in designing professional learning and coaching that prioritizes clients’ unique needs while fostering education leaders’ lasting growth. She also contributes to the development of tools and resources, helping to support leaders putting learning into practice. Lindsey’s worked with school and district leaders in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

She joined The Leadership Academy in 2019, and in addition to her role leading project management, she is a lead facilitator for the organization’s internal knowledge management team, helping to design systems that encourage cross-team information and skill sharing. Lindsay has a strong foundation in organization and systems and previously spent six years in publishing, first at HarperCollins Publishers, then MacMillian Publishers, where she was a product manager for workflow systems.

Lindsey is a two-time graduate of Binghamton University, with a Master of Arts in Early Modern European History and a Bachelor of Arts in History. She is based in Central New York.

As a National Designer & Facilitator and the Lead for District Leadership, Nicole Cathey draws on her nearly 30 years of education experience to design and facilitate professional learning and coaching for school and district leaders nationwide. Her work helps education leaders cultivate the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to create transformative student-centered change. She also leads design of the content, tools, and resources that shape the organization’s work at the district leadership level and leads the organization’s Transformative Principal Supervision national cohort program.

Since joining The Leadership Academy in 2022, Nicole has coached more than 125 system-level leaders in California, Kentucky, and Massachusetts among other states, and she’s led complex multi-year initiatives focused on everything from strengthening superintendent pipelines to increasing the use of data-driven practices.

She’s served as district-level leader, nonprofit education leader, and teacher. She was previously the managing director of schools for Southwest ISD in San Antonio, Texas, where she managed principal supervisors, oversaw development for aspiring district leaders, and led implementation of instructional initiatives. She’s also directed leadership pipeline operations for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina and was a program director at The Holdsworth Center, developing the nonprofit’s inaugural leadership program for Texas-based educators. She began her career in education as an elementary and middle school teacher in Maryland, where she also served as a reading and instructional technology specialist before becoming a principal in residence and staff developer.

Nicole holds a Master of Education in Education Administration and Supervision from Trinity Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Individual Family Studies & Gerontology from Kent State University. She also holds multiple education certifications. She is based in San Antonio, Texas.

Jess Cihal is Associate Vice President of Learning & Strategy at The Leadership Academy and serves as the Content Lead for the organization’s aspiring leader pathways, supporting teacher leaders, assistant principals, and principals. Jess has partnered with school and district leaders across Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington D.C.

She brings deep experience leading complex, multi-year, multi-partner projects. She collaborates with education leaders to identify their specific opportunities and barriers and co-develop strategies to address challenges. In her work with aspiring leaders, she designs and facilitates pathway programs that strengthen district leadership at all levels and cultivate cultures that help all school staff see themselves as leaders of student change. Among the unique programs she’s helped design and implement are a multi-year initiative for aspiring leaders centering multilingual learners and a districtwide leadership development system—spanning the creation of a leadership standards continuum, strengthened hiring and leadership development processes, and the launch of an aspiring principal academy.

Internally, she leads the project management team and oversees client engagement staffing, ensuring talent is thoughtfully aligned to make the greatest impact. She also leads the team responsible for The Leadership Academy’s internal employee learning and development, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.

Prior to joining The Leadership Academy in 2012, Jess spent her early education career abroad, in teaching and education roles in Eastern Europe and Central America. She then spent six years working at a K-12 school in San Antonio, Texas.

Jess holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Youth & Human Services from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and a Master of Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management from New York University’s Wagner School. She is based in Dallas, Texas.

As Associate Vice President of Research, Evaluation, & Impact, Dr. Marianna Fischer sets the strategic vision for how The Leadership Academy measures, learns from, and shares its impact. Since joining the organization in 2019, she’s led cross-functional efforts to design rigorous evaluation plans, build sustainable data systems, and embed cycles of learning across the organization. Her portfolio spans districtwide reviews, community engagement studies, and national research partnerships that inform both practice and policy. She also leads an internal committee focused on organizational culture and community.

Marianna also helps to support districts directly, partnering on client engagements to help education leaders better understand their data and to track the impact that changes in leadership practices can have on students’ experiences. In addition, she collaborates with universities, funding partners, and education leaders to share and present research and findings that shape the field of educational leadership.

Marianna previously shaped the research initiatives and organizational learning at New Leaders for eight years. She led the organization’s federal grants, including a randomized control trial of a leadership training program and a multi-year study of innovation in leadership development, ultimately sharing the findings with the broader field and authoring works that encouraged adoption of the promising practices the trial revealed. Prior to that, Marianna conducted numerous empirical program evaluations of federal and state grant interventions with low-income youth across universities and community nonprofits. She also previously served as an undergraduate instructor at the University of Hawaii, and Montclair University, and coordinated federal grants at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Marianna is a two-time graduate of the University of Hawaii, with a Ph.D. and a Master of Arts, both in Community and Culture Psychology. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Tulane University. She is based in Colorado.

As Senior Director of Leadership Development and the National Coaching Services Lead, Michael Kim plays a central role in shaping The Leadership Academy’s coaching practice for school and district leaders. He leads design of the organization’s educator coach training program, oversees leader and executive coaching, and develops innovative coaching tools and resources to strengthen leadership capacity across districts. His work ensures that school and system leaders are equipped with the skills, strategies, and supports they need to drive meaningful, student-centered change.

Beyond his coaching work, Michael partners directly with education leaders on a wide range of critical priorities—including strategic planning, early-career leadership development, and building effective teams. Since joining the organization in 2007, he’s supported clients in more than a dozen states, from Arizona to Maine, bringing both breadth and depth of experience to his practice. His expertise extends to thought leadership as well: he co-authored The Leadership Academy’s first book, “Coaching Education Leaders,” which shares the organization’s groundbreaking coaching approach. His insights have also been featured in Education Week.

Before joining The Leadership Academy, Michael served in AmeriCorps, where he supported a school-based youth services program for a New Jersey high school. He provided academic tutoring and counseling, and helped with teen center programming, which included mentoring, community service and volunteerism. He also supported the New Jersey Community Development Corporation and its efforts to support the Paterson, New Jersey community with youth development, housing initiatives, and large-scale community events. During his tenure with AmeriCorps, he also traveled to Mississippi and Louisiana to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rutgers College. He is based in the New York tri-state area.

As a Director of Leadership Development, Lauren McElrath guides project management and program alignment for The Leadership Academy’s school and district clients. Her work ensures that professional learning and coaching helps education leaders build their skills, strengthen their effectiveness, and make meaningful progress towards their goals. She also assesses client needs, supports in the design of engagements, and assists with creating tools, resources, and curriculum that foster development and growth. She’s worked with school and district leaders in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and Michigan.

Lauren first joined The Leadership Academy in 2018 as a program manager for a regional effort that provided professional learning and coaching to education leaders in West Michigan. She helped to implement programming and managed logistics for the multi-year program, which ultimately strengthened nearly 150 education leaders across five school districts.

Her career experience in education began in West Michigan at her alma mater, Grand Valley State University, where she spent nearly a decade in a variety of roles. She ultimately advanced to become Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, managing more than 400 scholarships and scholarship programs, collaborating with faculty and staff to ensure student success, and developing and implementing programming designed to increase student involvement. She was honored by Athena Grand Rapids with the 2018 Young Professional Award, recognizing her leadership in empowering, connecting, and equipping women in West Michigan for success.

Lauren is a two-time graduate of Grand Valley State University, where she earned both a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting. She is based in Michigan.

As Senior Director of Research, Evaluation, and Impact, Nikki Nagler designs systems to measure The Leadership Academy’s effectiveness, leveraging findings to drive innovation, continuous program improvement, and to help the organization’s staff and the education leaders they support to make stronger, data-driven decisions. She works closely with the programs team and with education leaders directly to conceptualize research and consistent evaluation methods, instruments, and processes, ultimately gathering qualitative and quantitative data to help inform strategic initiatives and actions.

Nikki also conducts research and literature reviews that help to support the organization’s frameworks, tools, and resources, and has co-authored several scholarly articles on education leader coaching and organizational health. She is also a founding member of an internal team that focuses on organizational culture.

She joined The Leadership Academy in 2016 after previously working as the Director of Assessment for Hunter College of the City University of New York. In that role, she collaborated with faculty to design and implement learning outcomes and assessment initiatives that promoted continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness.

Nikki holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Hunter College. She is based in New York City.

As Associate Vice President of Programs, Rachel Scott helps to lead the development of products and services and the organizational processes that advance The Leadership Academy’s work with education leaders from concept to delivery. She also plays a central role in creating tools and resources for client engagements and equips staff with the training needed to use them effectively with education leaders. Rachel also partners with school and district leaders to facilitate professional learning and has worked with leaders in more than a dozen states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon.

She joined The Leadership Academy in 2014 as Senior Director of Learning Systems, bringing deep expertise in online professional learning and leading the organization’s development of blended learning strategies for school and district leaders. She’s helped to design blended services to support both sitting and aspiring leaders, and helped to develop complex, multi-year, systemwide engagements that have strengthened leadership capacity and introduced scalable instructional practices.

With more than 20 years of experience designing and facilitating professional learning for educators, Rachel’s previous roles include working at school districts, universities, and education nonprofits to support growth and transformation at every level of the system. She’s also authored works for several publications highlighting the benefits of technology to support learning.

Rachel is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She also holds a certification in teaching English as a second language. She is based in New York City.

With more than 30 years of education experience, Corinne Vinal is a National Facilitator & Coach at The Leadership Academy. She works with clients who include district leaders, principals, assistant principals, and other school-level leaders, providing coaching support and designing and delivering professional learning focused on student-centered practice and talent development.

Corinne joined The Leadership Academy in 2014 as a facilitator and coach for the organization’s work with aspiring principals. In her time with The Leadership Academy, she’s partnered with districts and systems in Arizona, Nevada, New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, helping education leaders in public and charter school systems, as well as blended learning schools. Corinne’s work has also included facilitating professional learning for leaders at education nonprofits and helping to grow the next generation of leaders by supporting engagements with students at Bank Street College of Education and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.

She started her education career as a teacher before later becoming a school leader. Her connection to The Leadership Academy began when she was a member of the organization’s first Aspiring Principals Program cohort. She was later a mentor principal to other aspiring leaders as they went through that same program. Corinne was previously the principal at Manhattan Center for Science & Mathematics in New York City, as well as the founding principal of Sunset Park High School in Brooklyn, New York.

A graduate of Baruch College with a Master of Public Administration, Corinne also earned two degrees in English—a Master of Arts from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Bachelor of Arts from Wagner College. She also holds a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership & Administration from City University of New York, College of Staten Island. Corinne is based in New York City.

As a National Designer & Facilitator, Dr. Kendra Washington-Bass leverages her more than 30 years of education experience at every level of the system to partner with The Leadership Academy’s school and district leader clients. She designs and facilitates professional learning and coaching that centers student success, fosters a sense of purpose and agency, and helps leaders deeply reflect on their impact. She’s worked with educators at the school, district, and system levels in Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, and New York.

She began her career as an elementary and middle school teacher in her native New York City, later becoming a school principal. Prior to joining The Leadership Academy, Kendra was in district leadership for nearly 15 years with Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia. There, she oversaw development initiatives for both experienced and aspiring leaders, work that laid the foundation for her expertise in designing and delivering high-impact programs for aspiring assistant principals, principals, and district leaders. Kendra’s pathway programs, aligned with intention to district priorities and instructional excellence, have advanced hundreds of educators into leadership positions.

A respected voice in the sector, Kendra is the co-author of “Unwrapped: The Pursuit of Justice for Women Educators” (2023), a book that explores why women remain underrepresented in education leadership and calls for new ways of empowering women to lead. She has also contributed to magazines and blogs and is a frequent keynote speaker and podcast guest.

Kendra holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and an Educational Specialist degree, both from Mercer University. She also holds a Master of Science in Urban and Multicultural Education from the University of Mount Saint Vincent, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Film from the University of Notre Dame, and multiple coaching certifications. She is based in Georgia.

As Associate Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Philip Benowitz is responsible for helping The Leadership Academy establish purposeful partnerships with K-12 school systems, state departments of education, and universities. Often the first point of contact for leaders who are interested in learning more about how The Leadership Academy can help their school, system, or state, Phil partners with those education leaders to deeply understand their priorities and challenges. He then aligns the organization’s expertise with educators’ needs, designing professional learning and coaching proposals that outline how working with The Leadership Academy will help leaders to drive measurable impact.

Phil has spent his career supporting educational institutions at all levels. Prior to joining The Leadership Academy in 2016, he worked with Teach for America on a project to strengthen their national and regional data and reporting capabilities. He also previously worked with Deloitte Consulting for over 25 years as director of the company’s state education consulting practice. In that role, he helped to market professional services to state education organizations. In addition to his deep experience in business development, Phil’s also worked with clients directly, supporting systems with process and organizational redesign, data system implementation, and analytics.

A two-time graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Phil holds a Master of Science in Public Management and a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy. He’s based in the New York tri-state area.

As Director of Strategic Partnerships, Ashley Everett helps to drive The Leadership Academy’s business development strategy. She partners with prospective and existing clients to understand the priorities and unique needs of their schools, districts, and systems, then creates proposals for the tailored coaching and professional learning experiences that will help education leaders succeed. She also leverages data and insights to anticipate market needs, helping the organization to remain innovative and future-focused.

Ashley joined The Leadership Academy in 2023, as Associate Director of Leadership Development. She was a project manager who supported the design and implementation of professional learning, with her work helping education leaders in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas. She also helped with the development of the organization’s research-based tools.

Her commitment to education started at the beginning of her career, as a high school biology teacher in Newark, New Jersey. With a desire to expand her impact on young people and families, she reached beyond the classroom by working on community health initiatives, eventually joining the nonprofit Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies as a Senior Program Manager of Adolescent Health. There, she was dedicated to improving the overall wellbeing of women, families, and communities of color.

Ashley is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned a Master of Public Health. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ashley is a Certified Health Education Specialist and a Teach for America alumna. She’s based in Virginia.

As Director of Marketing & Communications, Lorene Sachwald leads development of The Leadership Academy’s digital marketing strategy and materials, helping to shape and share the story of the organization’s impact in schools, districts, systems, and state education departments across the nation. In addition to leading email marketing, Lorene collaborates with the strategic partnerships team to align marketing strategy with organizational growth goals. Since joining The Leadership Academy in 2018 she’s driven major marketing initiatives, most notably a 2020 rebrand that increased national visibility, strengthened brand recognition, and accelerated digital growth.

With more than 15 years of marketing experience, including a decade in the education publishing sector, Lorene was previously a Marketing and Business Lead for Scholastic. There, she oversaw the business strategy for and sales of digital eBook products across districts nationwide, supporting school and district leaders in their efforts to implement new technology and boost student reading skills. Prior to that, she was Marketing Director for Kids Discover, a digital- and print-based literacy product for K-6 students. Lorene began her career in magazine publishing, establishing successful marketing programs for magazines that included Time Out New York, Rolling Stone, Us Weekly, and Men’s Journal.

She is a graduate of Vassar College, with bachelor’s degrees in French and International Politics. Lorene is based in New York.

As Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications, Erica Van Ross leads integrated communications, drawing on more than two decades of communications, public relations, and journalism experience to strengthen The Leadership Academy’s visibility and reputation. She oversees internal and external communications, content strategy, and brand marketing, ensuring mission-aligned storytelling showcases the organization’s professional learning and coaching expertise, deepening connection with education leaders nationwide.

Erica joined The Leadership Academy in 2023, after serving in public and private sector leadership roles. She was previously HP Inc.’s Head of CEO Communications, where she led communications for the largest acquisition in HP’s history. Before that, she was the Head of Communications & Community Engagement for Schnuck Markets, leading teams managing corporate narrative and philanthropy. Erica was also previously Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Communications for Wells Fargo, leading messaging for the bank’s philanthropic initiatives. Prior to that, she led communications for the Metropolitan Police Department in the City of St. Louis.

Before moving into communications, Erica was a television journalist in St. Louis, Missouri and Syracuse, New York. She began her career in higher education, recruiting first-generation college students to the University of Kansas.

Erica is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, with a Master of Science in Journalism. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal & Organizational Communication from the University of Kansas, and earned an Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America. She’s based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

As an Information Technology Operations Specialist, Magen Bouchard advances The Leadership Academy’s use of technology by implementing solutions, supporting project management, leading learning management system development, and providing technical and logistical support for in-person and virtual engagements. She also plays a key role in knowledge management and staff development, designing trainings that build confidence and skills with new software, platforms, and digital tools.

Magen joined The Leadership Academy in 2024, bringing extensive experience in education technology, instructional design technology, and web development. She was previously a Senior Learning Management Systems administrator at Princeton University, where she was responsible for system configuration and integrations, along with providing student and faculty support. Prior to that, she was with Orange County Public Schools in Florida, where she was an administrator in the career and technical education department. Magen’s career in education began in the classroom, as a chemistry teacher.

Magen holds a Master of Education in Education Technology from the American College of Education and a certificate in full-stack web development from the University of Central Florida. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. She is based in Florida.

As Associate Vice President of Strategic Projects, Dr. Ashley Fortner-Domínguez works in the Office of the President, supporting the Lead Executive Officer and overseeing strategic initiatives and priorities, executive operations, and efforts that strengthen organizational effectiveness and drive growth. She also supports with the planning and development of tools and resources and has leveraged her district-level leadership experience to facilitate professional learning with school and system leaders in states that include California, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Mexico.

Ashley’s worked with clients to develop aspiring leaders, conduct districtwide audits of leadership development systems, create leader standards, and provide executive coaching and strategic support to district leaders navigating complex change. Before joining The Leadership Academy full-time in 2025, she was the organization’s Harvard Resident, completing a yearlong doctoral fellowship and playing a pivotal role supporting strategic planning.

With more than 15 years of education experience, Ashley’s systems-level perspective is rooted in on-the-ground experience in the U.S. and abroad. In her early career she was an instructor and curriculum designer in Jordan and Egypt. Her passion for supporting multilingual learners continued in her first U.S. teaching role, when she returned to her hometown as a dual language elementary school teacher at Dallas ISD in Texas. She went on to hold roles as a campus instructional coach and school leader, then moved into district leadership, where she managed leader recruitment, selection, and pipeline systems, developing a strong bench of assistant principals, principals, and other district leaders.

Ashley earned a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and holds a Master of Education in Education Leadership from Southern Methodist University, and a Master of Arts in Middle East Studies from The American University of Cairo. She’s also a graduate of the University of Richmond, with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with Minors in Arabic, Philosophy, and Women & Gender Studies. She holds multiple language teaching certifications. Ashley is based in Nevada.

As an Executive Assistant in the Office of the President, Juanita Lewis provides administrative support to the Lead Executive Officer and the Executive Leadership Cabinet. She also helps to support the Board of Directors, leads planning and execution of special organizational events, and works in close partnership with the Associate Vice President of Strategic Projects in the Office of the President to assist with overall operations administration and streamlining of systems.

She first joined the organization in 2006 and contributes deep institutional knowledge, having supported executive leadership throughout her nearly twenty-year tenure. Prior to The Leadership Academy, she was Director and Program Coordinator for a New York City-based senior center, a role she took on after five years of serving as the Executive Assistant to the organization’s CEO. Prior to that, she served in a variety of administrative roles in the private sector.

Juanita holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology-Psychology from Wells College. She is based in New York City.

As Associate Vice President of Technology, Alex Negron manages all aspects of The Leadership Academy’s IT infrastructure, including systems administration, network security, planning, procurement, and technical support, all while ensuring technology enhances collaboration and streamlines workflows. He also leads the exploration and implementation of emerging technologies, assessing their impact and potential benefits for educators, schools, and students, and advancing the organization’s efforts to support education leaders in responsibly adopting these solutions.

Alex is The Leadership Academy’s longest-tenured staff member, having joined as an Operations & Technology Specialist in 2003, the year the organization was founded. Over more than 20 years and through a series of promotions that culminated in him leading all technology operations, he’s built the organization’s technical foundation while contributing invaluable institutional knowledge.

For the length of technology career, Alex has been devoted to education. Prior to joining The Leadership Academy, he was a computer associate with New York City Public Schools, where he supported technology systems across the central office, district offices, and schools.

Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Queens College, as well as multiple Microsoft Certifications. He’s also an alumnus of the American Express Leadership Academy for nonprofit leaders. Alex is based in New York City.

As The Leadership Academy’s Associate Vice President of Financial Strategy, Budgets, & Grants, Sarah Stevens Malcolm leads fundraising and development, as well as supports long-term financial planning by developing processes, metrics, and modeling that drive strategy. She plays a central role in creating, implementing, and tracking the annual budget as well as cultivating donor relationships, identifying new funding opportunities, and aligning philanthropic support with organizational priorities.

Sarah first joined the organization in 2013 as Associate Director of National Initiatives, serving as a project manager for client engagements. She was later promoted to Senior Director of Learning & Strategy, facilitating professional learning and coaching for school and district leaders to strengthen leadership and drive positive change for students. Her programmatic experience now informs her work in finance and development, enabling her to direct The Leadership Academy’s funding strategies toward professional learning that most benefits education leaders.

She began her career as a high school music teacher before moving into arts education with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, and ultimately, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, where she held a variety of leadership roles and helped to launch an after-school arts academy for middle-school students. Prior to joining The Leadership Academy, she was the Director of Education at Change for Kids, where she doubled the number of schools the nonprofit supported and grew volunteer programs into robust supports for high-needs elementary schools in New York City.

Sarah holds a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Brooklyn College and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Opera Performance from the University of Texas, Austin. She is based in Houston, Texas.

Brittany Stewart is The Leadership Academy’s Senior Director of Human Resources & Talent Management. She directs all people initiatives and manages the employee lifecycle including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and ongoing performance and talent management systems. She also helps to establish policies for career paths, compensation, and total rewards, in addition to providing human resources counsel to the Executive Leadership Cabinet. Brittany joined The Leadership Academy in 2022.

With more than a decade of human resources experience, Brittany was previously the Director of Human Resources for an early childhood education nonprofit. As a member of the organization’s executive team, she oversaw all aspects of human resources for the organization’s three schools. Before that, she was the Human Resources Manager for a charter school system, where she helped to develop employee policies, manage human capitol systems, and manage benefits, payroll, staff onboarding and employee training. In her early career she supported human resources for a nonprofit that focused on supporting children who have faced trauma.

Brittany holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, is a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and has a Certificate in Nonprofit Management. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College. Brittany is based in Missouri.

As the Director of Business Operations, Leah Willard supports The Leadership Academy’s Finance and Business Development teams, overseeing contracts and playing a pivotal role in ensuring seamless business operations across the organization. She manages accounts payable and receivable systems, serves as the primary liaison for all client accounting matters, and partners cross-functionally to ensure clarity and alignment on new processes and procedures.

Leah has two decades of experience in education, having previously served as the Director of Data and Finance at Crossroads Charter Schools in Kansas City. There, she managed the district budget and oversaw payroll, accounts receivable and payable, and managed state, federal, and vendor compliance. She also managed federal grants and administration for student information systems and platforms. Leah’s experience in education operations also includes leading a consulting firm where she partnered with schools to deliver training in systems and processes, as well as comprehensive project management support.

Leah is a proud graduate of technical school, with a certificate in computer technology from Herndon Career Center. She is based in Missouri.