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.

Sherry Burch has been inspiring young scientists and burgeoning innovators of all ages for over 14 years. She began her career in K-8 education as a middle school science teacher, teaching the art of inquiry and led students in designing solutions to real world problems. After 7 years tinkering in classrooms throughout Silicon Valley, Sherry shifted her focus to empowering other educators through coaching and professional development. While facilitating STEM workshops at conferences and across her district, she found her love of brainstorming and making connections between STEM, other academic subjects and this wild journey we call life.

Sherry has been working in informal education for 7 years, expanding her scope from facilitation to international program design. Inspired by her own enthusiastic teachers and now her colleagues, Sherry is driven to help educators renew their passion for teaching by bringing engaging and challenging learning opportunities to their students and building the skills that they need to be life-long problem solvers. Sherry currently leads professional learning product design as head of the Education Resources team at The Tech Interactive. Outside of the office, you can either find Sherry on a wooded trail or elbow deep in a DIY project somewhere.

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.

Zeyda Garcia, LPCC, PPSC is the Founder of Healing Aguas Wellness Solutions, LLC, which provides mental health/wellness consulting, counselor coaching, professional development and socio-emotional curriculum to schools and organizations. She is a 1st generation Mexicana, licensed therapist, school counselor, clinical supervisor, and healer dedicated to ensuring all students have access to mental health services in schools.

She is a systems-driven and community-oriented thinker that strives to create community responsive spaces of healing which honor all of our complexities. She has supported clients and families, both individually and in group settings, to work through trauma and other mental health concerns. Zeyda has developed multiple community responsive counseling programs at various schools. As a highly esteemed adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco, she has trained hundreds of graduate students to be community-responsive counselors. She has supported the development of pre-licensed therapists in school settings to meet the needs of students they serve. She is also a bonus mom to a 14 year old and proud tia to 3 little ones who are 5, 2 and 1!

About Healing Aguas Wellness Solutions:
Healing Aguas Wellness Solutions supports schools, organizations, counselors and therapists to ensure they are providing community responsive mental health services for students and families.

Since her first days as a teacher, Rebecca’s work has been motivated by a commitment to social justice, activating student voice, and facilitating networks that aim to liberate and empower students through skill development and self-actualization. Rebecca has worked in Education since 1999, first as a high school teacher and college and career pathway lead and then as a leader who facilitates systems that enable opportunities for young people to enter careers of choice. As a Small Learning Communities Coordinator, Rebecca coordinated and improved district practices related to enrollment and access to central services while providing professional learning opportunities for educators in San Lorenzo Unified School District. After coauthoring a successful $15 million education-workforce grant, Rebecca transitioned to leadership in the community college system, where she facilitated the implementation of programming funded by this grant. This work included dual enrollment, work-based learning, and early matriculation systems development across a consortium of K12, community college, and workforce development agencies.

Since 2017, Rebecca has led Linked Learning implementation across 16 high schools and 31 pathways in Oakland Unified School District. Rebecca’s leadership in Oakland is deeply informed by her 12 years of teaching, her foray in the community college system, and her deep belief that communities thrive when their young people are supported by a network of caring adults and equity-grounded organizations.

About Linked Learning in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)
Linked Learning in OUSD is their core high school improvement strategy. Students in grades 10-12 participate in a college and career pathway that integrates rigorous and college-preparatory content with career education and work-based learning. Students benefit from caring adults who collaborate regularly to offer an integrated learning experience, including but not limited to project-based learning, dual enrollment, paid internships, and college and career planning.

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.