Jean-Claude Brizard is President and CEO of Digital Promise Global, a global, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on shaping the future of learning and advancing equitable education systems by bridging solutions across research, practice, and technology. He is former Senior Advisor and Deputy Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation where he focused on PK-16 education. He also led several strategies supporting Washington State’s educational system. The Carnegie Corporation of New York honored Brizard in the 2023 class of “Great Immigrants, Great Americans,” a prestigious honor celebrating naturalized citizens who have enriched and strengthened our society.

He is former Chief Executive of Chicago Public Schools. Prior to his appointment in Chicago, he was Superintendent of Schools for the Rochester, NY School District. Mr. Brizard’s experience also includes a 21-year career as an educator and administrator with the NYC Department of Education. He served as a Regional Superintendent, supervising more than 100 schools in the Borough of Brooklyn and he also served as the system’s Executive Director for its 400 secondary schools. He is a Fellow of the Broad Center, a Fellow of the Pahara-Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Institute Global Leadership Network.

Kimberly Smith is Chief Inclusive Innovation Officer at Digital Promise’s Center for Inclusive Innovation. She collaborates with a national network of forward-thinking school district leaders working in partnership with their communities in engaging in equity-centered research and development of solutions to advance equity and excellence for every learner. She held previous R&D education leadership positions at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, PBS, Discovery Education and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting pioneering education technologies, interactive curriculum, pathways programs and teacher professional development models.

An Aspen-Pahara Institute fellow and co-founder of the National Charter Collaborative, she received her MBA from Johns Hopkins University and BS in Journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder. She serves on the boards of Beacon House in Washington, DC; CatalystED, the Learner Centered Collaborative and the National Charter Collaborative.

Across national, state, and local contexts, Viki Young leads research studies featuring mixed qualitative and quantitative methods, with particular focus on teaching and learning within embedded contexts and the system supports, resources, incentives, and disincentives that shape change and unintended consequences. She has studied the implementation and impact of K–12 policy and improvement initiatives, including high school reform, inclusive STEM high school models, instructional coaching and educator development, and school choice initiatives.

As co-leader of the Center for Inclusive Innovation at Digital Promise, she is building inclusive research practices into an equity-centered R&D model, Inclusive Innovation, with students from historically and systematically excluded communities and those closest to educational challenges co-leading the R&D process. Before joining Digital Promise in 2019, she was Director of the Center for Education Policy at SRI International. She holds a Ph.D. in education administration and policy analysis at Stanford University.

Darin Brawley, Ed.D. is currently in his 13th year as the superintendent for the Compton Unified School District (CA), a member of Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools. Under his leadership CUSD has benefitted from a tremendous turnaround and elevation in student outcomes, facilities, and opportunities. Under his tenure the district has increasingly eliminated the opportunity gap for students in the area of technology by focusing on STEAM Initiatives with partners such as Digital Promise, Apple, Verizon, Boeing, Microsoft and Google. Further, the district has since produced award winning schools, was named among LA County’s Top Performing Public Schools, U.S. News and World Report, and Blue Ribbon Schools. As a result, the school district today now has more students graduating, accepted into four year universities, and better prepared for careers of the future. Brawley’s efforts in working with the Board of Trustees to achieve such outcomes was recognized in 2019, when he was named Superintendent of the Year by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Under Brawley’s leadership Compton schools have been awarded National Blue Ribbon status. Several schools have received Title I Performing Schools recognition, as well as California Distinguished School Awards. He is committed to continuous improvement in relation to the core mission of education. Brawley also recognizes the vital importance of fiscal responsibility and investing in facilities as important to supporting students’ education. Under his leadership CUSD was brought out of the brink of receivership and into fiscal stability. CUSD was able to solve all structural deficits within the budget during his first year as superintendent. During his tenure, sweeping enhancements have been completed within the district to provide students with upgrades to the facilities and athletic fields, and the currently underway construction of a state-of-the-art new campus for Compton High School.

Brawley’s experience in education includes serving as a high school teacher, middle school assistant principal, elementary principal, middle school principal, director of human resources, executive director of human resources, deputy superintendent of student learning, and superintendent. Brawley earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California. He has a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Redlands.

Dr. Zandra Jo Galván is the newly appointed superintendent of Salinas Union High School District (CA), a district in Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools. Previously, she was superintendent of Greenfield Union School District (GUSD) for seven years.

Zandra has worked in public education since 1993 and began her career as an elementary classroom teacher for GUSD where she also attended kindergarten through graduation. Returning to serve as Superintendent allowed her childhood dreams to come true. At GUSD, she implemented a GUSD District Strategic Plan with an LCAP-aligned vision, mission, core values, and board of trustee priorities; implemented the PLC model around essential standards mapping, identified learning targets through teacher clarity, implemented a local, formative common assessments protocol, instilled an effective method of frequent, on-going data analysis; mapped career technical/job market trends and industries; instilled SEL and wellness spaces for all; implemented 21st century classroom furniture; and designed innovative LEGO & Apple learning lab spaces at all school sites for students to build, innovate, create and prepare for their successful postsecondary college and career futures.

Now, as Salinas High School Union School District Superintendent, Galván is thrilled to work with teachers, CSEA members, administrators, families, and students as they strive for academic excellence, well-being, and future readiness for every learner. She is passionate about preparing students to be socially, emotionally and academically prepared for college and career, ensuring that every student has the tools, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Galván earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Teaching Credential from Fresno State, an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from CSU Monterey Bay in 2002, an M.A. & Administrative Credential in Educational Leadership from San Jose State, and her Doctoral from USC. She has also successfully completed the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Superintendent Academy, is a member of ACSA Superintendents Council, is a member of the National Superintendents Roundtable, a National Mentor/Advisor/Presenter for NSAA Superintendents, National Advisor for Future Ready Schools, ACSA Region10 Board of Directors, and is the California Association of Latino/a/x Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) President (2021-2023).

Erica is Vice President of Learning at The Tech Interactive, where she leads initiatives to support educators in developing the next generation of problem solvers through Design Challenge Learning, leads the creation of compelling exhibits, and develops engaging educational programs that inspire creativity and innovation.

Erica began her career in the museum field in 2001, driven by a deep love of science and a desire to share its wonders with others. Over time, she discovered the transformative power of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) as tools to empower people of all ages to think critically and trust their own abilities to innovate and create. This passion extends to inspiring educators, fostering a spark of curiosity and collaboration that helps them share their experiences and expertise with one another.

Before joining The Tech Interactive, Erica spent 17 years at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, where she honed her expertise in science education and educator professional development. She has worked extensively with after-school educators, pre-K–12 teachers, and museum professionals, focusing on reflective practices that elevate teaching and learning.

When she’s not visiting museums, Erica enjoys cooking, hiking, and occasionally sewing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley.

About The Tech Interactive:
The Tech Interactive is a world class science and technology center located in downtown San Jose that welcomes more than 250,000 people each year. Visitors are encouraged to explore the 130,000 square feet of hands-on activities, exploratory labs and design challenge experiences as well as interactive exhibits on climate change, robotics, innovations in healthcare, cybersecurity and more. The center is also home to the largest IMAX Dome Theater on the West Coast, offering educational films and Hollywood blockbusters.

Katrina Stevens is the President and CEO of The Tech Interactive (The Tech), a science and technology center based in San Jose, CA, that creates immersive and inclusive STEAM education resources to develop the next generation of problem-solvers locally, nationally and globally. The Tech serves around 500,000 visitors annually in Silicon Valley and over 2 million people nationally through K-12 education programs. The Tech’s many programs move young people from sparking their interest to building skills and confidence and ultimately on a STEAM career pathway.

As an educator, administrator, innovator, edtech startup founder and policymaker, Stevens has focused on ways to create inspirational and impactful learning experiences for young people around the world. She is deeply committed to equity and ensuring that The Tech helps diversify the STEAM workforce worldwide to ensure people from all backgrounds play a role in the development of technology including AI.

Before joining The Tech, Stevens was the director of learning science at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, where she sought opportunities to improve learning, especially for young people who face the most serious obstacles to success. There, she oversaw a $200 million portfolio of 67 grants. Previous to that, Stevens was appointed by Obama to be the deputy director and senior adviser in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology, where she led the Future Ready Schools movement to help district leaders implement best practices in digital learning, as well as overseeing education innovation clusters, rapid cycle evaluations, the EdTech Developer’s Guide, developer outreach, and the National Education Technology Plan.

Katrina also served as the co-founder of University of Virginia’s Edtech Education Exchange and was the founding entrepreneur-in-residence for JFF Labs, EdSurge Summit Director, and the founding Executive Director of EdTech Maryland.

She also spent three years with the Ministry of Education in Bermuda for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth, launching a lab school and gifted program for students from across the island. Stevens also wrote about the educational technology sector as a journalist and co-founded #edtechchat. Throughout her career, she has also consulted with a wide range of education startups, foundations and nonprofits and served on multiple nonprofit and for profit boards.

Stevens has received the International Society for Technology in Education’s Making It Happen Award and was named one of Silicon Valley’s top 100 Women of Influence in 2023. She currently serves on the Alliance for Learning R&D Steering Committee, and the Global Science of Learning Education Network Steering Committee.

About The Tech Interactive:
The Tech Interactive is a world class science and technology center located in downtown San Jose that welcomes more than 250,000 people each year. Visitors are encouraged to explore the 130,000 square feet of hands-on activities, exploratory labs and design challenge experiences as well as interactive exhibits on climate change, robotics, innovations in healthcare, cybersecurity and more. The center is also home to the largest IMAX Dome Theater on the West Coast, offering educational films and Hollywood blockbusters.

Joel Vargas is vice president of the Education practice at Jobs for the Future (JFF), overseeing programs focused on improving learning systems and outcomes. He was previously vice president of programs and launched our West Coast office in 2015. His skills and areas of expertise include:

• Designing and implementing research, systems changes, and state policy agendas for integrating high school, college, and career
• Creating policy frameworks, tools, and model legislation
• Providing technical assistance to state task forces and policy working groups

Before joining JFF, Vargas directed, initiated, and studied programs designed to help students from populations underrepresented in postsecondary education enter and complete college. Educational background:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Boston University
• Master’s degree and EdD in education planning, administration, and social policy, Harvard Graduate School of Education

About Jobs for the Future:
For more than 40 years, JFF has partnered with organizations to design solutions, scale best practices, influence policy and action, and invest in innovations. Through their work, JFF aims to create learner and worker opportunity, strengthen education and career navigation, ensure program quality and efficacy, integrate learning and work, and build strong regional economies.

Shana V. White is the Director of Computer Science Equity Initiatives at the Kapor Foundation. She works on Equitable Computer Science (CS) Initiatives, supporting both CSforCA and CSforGA and working with stakeholders in Georgia to improve teacher professional development and increase participation and success for students of color in K12 CS courses. Prior to joining the Kapor Foundation, Shana worked for sixteen years in K12 education, serving in both public and private schools as a teacher and instructional technology specialist in metro Atlanta.

Shana is passionate about disrupting the status quo, works to connect and create community for educators online, and is strongly committed to racial justice and equity in K12 schools. She has a B.S. from Wake Forest University, an M.S. from Winthrop University, and an Ed.S from Kennesaw State University.

Outside of work, Shana enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, watching live sports, volunteering, watching rom-coms, and lifting weights.

About Kapor Foundation:
Kapor Foundation works to both impact the national technology landscape and build inclusive tech ecosystems in key regions. They conduct research, make strategic grants, invest in entrepreneurs and funds, and inform equitable technology policy across four focus areas necessary to enhance racial justice and equity in tech: CS Education Equity, Inclusive Pathways to Tech Jobs, Tech Workforce Diversity, and Investing in Entrepreneurs and Investors.