SuperintendentDr. Cory Steiner is the Superintendent of the Northern Cass School District in North Dakota where he works with a dedicated and passionate group of educators to shift their entire system to personalized competency-based learning. A longtime advocate for learner-centered education and systemic education reform, he has also served on several boards and community…

SuperintendentContessa Orr began her career as a special education teacher in 1998 and quickly moved into administrative roles as counselor, principal, chief academic officer, and her current role as superintendent of Muhlenberg County Schools in Greenville, KY. In this role, she has led the work of building learner-centered environments for Muhlenberg County students. She…

Executive DirectorDr. Pamela Moran is Executive Director of the Virginia School Consortium for Learning. She co-chairs the Virginia is for Learners Innovation Network, a collaborative of district innovation teams. Pam was selected by peers as Virginia’s 2016 Superintendent of the Year and was one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year. She…

Founding DirectorScott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Colorado Denver. The Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), he is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on school leadership, deeper learning, technology, and innovation. Scott…

SuperintendentLori Gonzalez is the Superintendent of the Lamont Elementary School District where she brings a wealth of experience from past work as a vice principal, associate superintendent, superintendent/principal, and a teacher for Kindergarten and 3rd-grade students. She is committed to ensuring all learners have access to a diverse range of educational opportunities and experiences,…

SuperintendentZandra Jo Galvan, Superintendent of Greenfield Union School District (GUSD) since 2017 and Immediate Past-President of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, is a seasoned educator who began in 1993 as a GUSD elementary teacher. She has implemented strategic initiatives in GUSD, focusing on student-centered learning, technology, and career readiness. Galvan leads…

PrincipalJoe Erpelding is the Sr. VP of Education at Thrively, a whole-child learning ecosystem, where he supports schools and districts across the country in discovering that the future is a place WE create by moving systems from what is wrong to what is strong. Previously he led one of the nation’s most innovative and…

School DirectorDenise Espania’s teaching career has spanned Pre K through 12th grade, general and special education, from Washington to Hawaiʻi. In 2004, Denise left the classroom and moved into post secondary education. After enjoying her time as an educational researcher and teacher educator, she returned to K-12 as a school administrator at an elementary…

Educator, Author, SpeakerGeorge Couros is a worldwide leader in the area of innovative teaching, learning, and leading, and has a focus on innovation as a human endeavor. Most importantly, he is a proud father and husband. His belief that meaningful change happens when you first connect to people’s hearts, is modeled in his writing…

CEODavid Cook is CEO of Learning Ecosystems Design, a consulting firm focused on creating community-driven, learner-centered ecosystems. He has over 25 years in public education and also currently serves as Director of Innovative Learning for the Kentucky Department of Education.

Founding PrincipalDr. Eric Chagala is the founding principal of Vista Innovation & Design Academy (VIDA) in Vista Unified School District. He believes that all kids need a place to matter, that our actions say what we believe about children and that schools have souls that need to be nurtured. Core to his work is…

SuperintendentErik Burmeister is passionate about innovating education and ensuring all students are engaged in meaningful learning in spaces where curiosity flourishes and students’ and educators’ voices are valued. An award-winning teacher, principal, and superintendent, Erik has been recognized as a transformative leader, applying design principles to solve a variety of challenges.

SuperintendentDr. Leighangela Brady, is the Superintendent of National School District and an author of Transforming Ice Age Schools and Test Less, Assess More. She is well known for engaging and motivating others to shift practice to meet the needs of today’s students while preparing them for a better tomorrow.

SuperintendentJerry Almendarez’s career in education spans 28 years and includes experience as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Mr. Almendarez also served as Director of Human Resources for Colton Joint Unified from 2003 to 2007, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources from 2007 to 2010 and Superintendent from 2010-2020. As the Superintendent of Schools…

FounderNicole Allard is the founder of Leading for Transformation, dedicated to change agent and transformational leadership development. She was formerly the Executive Director of Educational Excellence and Innovation for the Vista Unified School District. In this role, she supported educators across VUSD in their work to create the conditions necessary for learning environments and…

PrincipalMelissa Agudelo is the principal of Lincoln High School in San Diego Unified where she brings her passion for social justice, grassroots work, hands-on learning, supporting work-based initiatives, and building rock-solid relationships that support every student on any path. She has served in a variety of school settings from Teach for America to project-based…