Dina Natalino

With 28 years of dedicated service in education, Dina Natalino has emerged as a transformative leader committed to reimagining student success beyond traditional academic boundaries. Currently serving as the Supervisor of College & Career Pathways for New Haven Public Schools, she has been instrumental in challenging the narrow definition of post-secondary achievement by developing innovative dual credit programming and leading the work to establish and expand five career-connected pathways: Health Care, Manufacturing, Education, Business, and Bioscience. Her professional journey spans roles from middle school language arts teacher to school improvement specialist, and includes leadership positions as Assistant Principal at Wilbur Cross High School and Principal of Bishop Woods Architecture & Design Magnet School, a nationally recognized Magnet School of Excellence during her tenure. Mrs. Natalino's approach is deeply personal, rooted in her experience as a daughter of a first-generation college graduate and driven by a philosophy that champions unique paths to fulfillment, believing that college is just one of many routes leading to success.. Currently advancing her leadership through the Career Academy Leaders' Collaborative (CALC), a fellowship with the National Career Academy Coalition, she continues to develop expertise in career academy models and create collaborative networks focused on research-based best practices.

Kristina L. Zeiser

Kristina L. Zeiser, Ph.D. is a senior researcher whose primary interests include the transition from high school to postsecondary education, social disparities in educational experiences and outcomes, and statistical methods associated with experimental and quasi-experimental research designs. As a project director and lead quantitative analyst on different projects at AIR, her primary responsibilities include coordinating with subcontractors and school districts to obtain student-level administrative records, collecting postsecondary enrollment and completion from the National Student Clearinghouse, organizing and analyzing data, and reporting study findings to a variety of audiences. Through her work, Dr. Zeiser has published her findings in a variety of mediums, from technical reports to research briefs to journal manuscripts in peer-reviewed, academic journals.

Dr. Jay Steele

Dr. Jay Steele is the president of the National Career Academy Coalition and the CEO of Steele Dynamics. Jay is an international speaker on career academies and career-connected learning, speaking in Thailand, England, Vietnam, and across the United States. Jay supports schools across the world in the college and career academy model. He works in Thailand, Vietnam, Guam, Hawaii, and several other states in this role. He is based in Jacksonville, FL. Jay is the former Chief Academic Officer for the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tennessee. He was responsible for the education of 78,000 students at 150 schools. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University, a Master’s from the University of North Florida, and a Doctorate degree from Lipscomb University.

Lord Ryan Lizardo

Lord Ryan Lizardo has dedicated his life to a career in Education. Growing up in Ewa Beach, HI, Lord Ryan became passionate about a career in education through being a mentor in the Big Brothers and Big Sister Program to three little bros. When he graduated from James Campbell High School in 2010, he went on to pursue his undergraduate degree at Chapman University and graduated with a BA in Integrated Educational Studies with minors in Sociology and Anthropology. 

Lord Ryan went on to join Teach for America Hawai’i and taught for six years at his alma mater, James Campbell High School. During his time at Campbell, he taught Social Studies and Education, served as the Academy Lead of the Academy of Public and Human Services, and advised the Class of 2020 student council and Rainbow Sabers. During his Summer’s, Lord Ryan worked with Teach for America Hawai’i as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness Facilitator supporting teachers through identity work and culturally responsive pedagogy. In 2016, Lord Ryan completed his graduate degree and earned an MSEd in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University.

Lord Ryan now works as the Vice President of Education at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. His role acts as an intermediary to support business engagement with our local Department of Education schools through work-based learning (WBL). Engagements include field trips, mock job interviews, internships, etc. He also works as a strategic partner in developing statewide initiatives regarding work-based learning and employer engagement. He currently serves as a Board Secretary for the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation and Chairs other school related councils and boards.

Leslie Blatteau

Leslie Blatteau has been working in New Haven Public Schools for over 20 years and has been a high school Social Studies teacher and 933 member since 2007. In addition to teaching, she serves as senior class advisor and SPMT chair at Metropolitan. She is an activist and organizer on issues related to our classrooms and our city. She has marched with labor unions and community groups in the name of economic, social, and racial justice. And she uses her voice to fight privatization, budget cuts, and layoffs in our schools, promote high quality alternatives to high stakes testing, and advocate for equitable policies that benefit all of our school communities. Leslie lives in the Hill neighborhood with her family and her daughter is a first grader in NHPS. She believes in the future of New Haven and she is ready to join with her fellow teachers and fight for what is right.

Daniel Phillips

Daniel Phillips is the Director of Academies & CTE for Metro Nashville Public Schools and is responsible for the 12 wall-to-wall academy zoned high schools, as well as CTE at all middle schools and high schools in MNPS. Prior to his current role, Daniel was the Director of Innovation for Career & College Readiness, Academy Principal for the Academy of Technical Sciences, which received NCAC National Model Status in 2019, and building administrator for the Career Pathways Institute, all within Grand Island Public Schools in Grand Island, Nebraska.   Before moving into administration with Grand Island Public Schools, Daniel taught Drafting and Architecture for 10 years in Wichita, Kansas, as well as coaching boys’ & girls’ golf, and girls’ basketball.

In addition to his responsibilities within MNPS, Daniel has been active on several local and state boards.  Daniel has presented at numerous state and national conferences about the formation and successes of the Academies of Nashville, the Career Pathways Institute, the Academies of Grand Island Senior High, and Registered Apprenticeships.

Colleen Dippel

Colleen Dippel began her career as a public-school teacher. Colleen is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Families Empowered, a Texas based not for profit parent service organization. Families Empowered has provided K-12 school navigation services to over 105K low-income families in Texas. Colleen was a 2013 LEE Emerging Political Leadership Fellow and a 2017 Pahara-Aspen Fellowship recipient. She served on the Advisory Board of the Rice Educational Entrepreneurship Program at the Jones School of Business. She is a member of the John Cooper School Booster Club Board and the Dyslexia School of Houston Board. Additionally, she serves on the Advisory Board of the Thrive with Autism Charter School. She and her daughter are active participants in The Woodlands TX chapter of the National Charity League.

Vidya Sundaram

Over her nearly 20-year career in family engagement, Vidya Sundaram has managed development, research, and strategy for digital resources used by more than half of US families with school-aged children. Before founding Family Engagement Lab, Vidya led research and insights at GreatSchools, championing a test and learn culture across the organization. Vidya also has an extensive background in software engineering and technology project management to engage diverse partners, and implement and study digital programs. She holds a degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, a Masters in Public Policy from UCLA and her MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. Vidya is mom to two kids and proud to be part of a lively multigenerational household

Carolyn L. Streets

Carolyn L. Streets has over 26 years of experience as a public-school teacher. She is an expert on curriculum design and models of instruction that effectively and successfully assist students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds to enhance their skills and levels of academic achievements. Ms. Streets is the recipient of numerous national awards holding the distinction of being a double Fulbright Scholar. A graduate of Ottawa (Kansas) University, Quinnipiac University and as a candidate for the Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School, Ms. Streets brings critical ethical insights regarding public education, teaching and policy.

Marco Cenabre

Marco Cenabre was born, raised, and a proud graduate of New Haven Public Schools. He taught middle and high school English for over ten years and is currently the Lead Teacher for Secondary ELA for New Haven Public Schools. Marco was named the 2024 New Haven Teacher of the Year, as well as a Finalist for Connecticut Teacher of the Year. Marco is also a steering committee member of the Anti Racist Teaching and Learning Collective, and has organized and facilitated professional development on culturally relevant and anti racist pedagogy at the district level.

Erin Michaud

Erin Michaud (she/they) is a Visual Arts teacher at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School in New Haven. With 25 years of service in New Haven Public Schools, she has taught students of all ages as both an art teacher and a magnet curriculum coach. Erin serves as the GSA advisor at Coop High School and is an active member of the New Haven LGBTQ+ Youth Taskforce. This volunteer group of advocates works to create an affirming community and empower all LGBTQ+ youth in New Haven by providing resources and support to help them lead healthy, open, safe, and meaningful lives.

Juancarlos Soto

Juancarlos (he/him or el) has spent the last twelve years organizing in the Latine, LGBTQ+ and Immigrant communities, having previously worked at JUNTA for Progressive Action and Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Juancarlos moved to New Haven with his family – city with which he instantly fell in love with. Juancarlos is eager to bring support, advocacy, and growth to our vibrant LGBTQ+ community and the New Haven Pride Center where he hopes to help build an inclusive, thriving community for all of Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ people. Juancarlos is a founding member of the Black and Brown Queer Camp, a Summer Camp for LGBTQ+ Black and Brown Youth. A member of the board of directors of Puerto Ricans United Inc and has been the recipient of numerous awards including, Latino Leadership Award, and a Dorothy Award . He is also an artist who uses his art as a tool for activism.

Dr. Marc Brackett

MARC BRACKETT, Ph.D., is the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, a professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University, and author of the best-selling book, Permission to Feel, which has been translated into 25 languages.

As an award-winning researcher for 25 years, Marc has raised over $100 million in grant funding and published 175 scholarly articles on the role of emotional intelligence in learning, decision-making, creativity, relationships, physical and mental health, and workplace performance.

Marc is the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) that has been adopted by over 5,000 schools across the globe, improving the lives of millions of children and adults. RULER infuses the principles and skills of emotional intelligence into school systems, enhancing how administrators lead, educators teach, students learn, and families parent. It has been proven to boost academic performance, decrease school problems like bullying, enrich classroom climates, reduce teacher stress and burnout, and enhance teacher instructional practices.

Marc is featured regularly in popular media outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. He serves on the board of directors for the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the nonprofit that founded the SEL field and he’s on the program board for the Mental Health Coalition, founded by Kenneth Cole and the Rare Beauty Mental Health Council, founded by Selena Gomez.

Marc has been the keynote speaker at over 700 conferences around the world, including the White House, U.S. Departments of Education and Defense, Surgeon General’s office, New York Times, Aspen Institute, the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and dozens of fortune 500 companies. Marc regularly consults with large companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft on best practices for integrating the principles of emotional intelligence into training and product design and is co-founder of Oji Life Lab, a corporate learning firm that develops innovative digital learning systems for emotional intelligence. In 2022, with Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann, Marc and his team co-created HowWeFeel, a free Apple award-winning app designed to teach emotion skills and enhance well-being.

In January 2024, Marc launched the YouTube webcast, Dealing With Feelings, where he interviews prominent scientists, actors, authors, musicians, sports figures, and other notable personalities to discover their mindsets about emotions and the strategies they use to attain goals, build healthy relationships, and have a sense of well-being in life. Marc’s intimate conversations will offer listeners practical skills and evidence-based strategies for regulating emotions in positive, intentional ways.

“I want everyone to become an emotion scientist,” Marc says. “We need to be curious explorers of our own and others’ emotions so they can enhance, rather than hinder our well-being and success in life.”

Stephen McClain

Stephen is a dynamic leader, facilitator and executive coach with nearly 20 years of experience advancing educational equity and improving student outcomes in underserved communities. As Partner of Education Equity Partnerships and Engagements at The Management Center (TMC), Stephen leads high-impact engagements, partnering to build more equitable, sustainable, and results-oriented organizations. 

Previously, as Chief of Schools for a large charter network and Principal of a high-performing school, Stephen honed his expertise in change management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, people management and development, while cultivating positive, mission-driven organizational cultures.

Stephen earned a B.A in Elementary Education from Michigan State University, an Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an Ed.D in Urban School Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Julia Miller

Julia Miller, the 2025 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, is a proud New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) teacher, parent and alumni. A social studies teacher committed to antiracist education and project-based learning, her goal for her students is for them to become informed and active community members who feel empowered to make change. Currently in her 18th year in the classroom, Miller teaches a 10th Grade education course, 11th Grade civics, and a 12th Grade restorative justice law class at Metropolitan Business Academy. She received a Bachelors of Arts from New York University’s Gallatin School, a Masters of Arts from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University. 

Miller leads new initiatives including the Metro Youth Justice Program, a student-led restorative justice program in her school that aims to repair harm, provide accountability, and support students who make mistakes. She also helped launch a “Grow Your Own” model to nurture the next generation of NHPS teachers through the creation of a new Education and Leadership pathway. She serves as pathway co-lead and is a Teacher Leader with Educators Rising.

Miller plays a variety of leadership roles as grade level team lead, member of the Leadership and School Planning and Management Teams, student council advisor, and mentor teacher. She collaborates with community partners and universities, and is a steering committee member of the Anti-Racist Teaching and Learning Collective. Miller has facilitated professional learning workshops at both the local and national level.

Inika Williams

Dr. Inika Williams, Ed.D. is the Associate Director of Policy for Attendance Works. Dr. Williams' career has focused on the intersection of education and community collaboration to promote improved opportunities for children and youth. For over 15 years, Dr. Williams has worked in youth development, grant acquisition and management, and building community support for quality education.

Before joining Attendance Works, Dr. Williams served as a champion for access to higher education as State Director of the College Reach-Out Program at the Florida Department of Education and Director of Pre-Collegiate Programs at Florida State University. In these roles she provided operational oversight of TRIO programs, which offer federal outreach and student services for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2020, Dr. Williams was the chief grant writer for the acquired $1.3 million that funds the operations of a TRIO Talent Search program in four rural counties across northwest Florida.

Prior to her role in administration, she was a teacher, special education district leader and school counselor. Dr. Williams holds a B.S. in elementary education from Florida A&M University, a M.S. and Ed.S. in Counseling, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration.

Dr. William (Billy) Johnson

Dr. William (Billy) Johnson is the Director of Educational Strategy at the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund in Connecticut. He brings his lived experience and education systems perspective to the Memorial Fund’s grantmaking strategies, working closely with community stakeholders and strategic partners.

Born and raised in New Haven Connecticut's Hill neighborhood, Dr. Johnson's passion for teaching and education comes from his own experiences as a student in New Haven Public Schools, where he discovered after arriving to college that he did not receive an equitable education. Dr. Johnson is proud to be a second generation college attendee and holds three
college degrees including his Ed.D. Over a 23-year career, he has worked as special education teacher, middle school math teacher, a first-grade reading teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive leadership coach, assistant superintendent of schools and Acting CEO of a foundation.

Dr. Johnson's passion and life’s work has been educating, supporting and coaching others to become leaders and make an impact in their communities. He is still very connected to his community in New Haven and many educators across the state of CT.

Annette Campbell Anderson

Annette C. Anderson is a native of Baltimore and a graduate of Baltimore City Public Schools, an experience that has left an indelible mark on her career interests in educational equity and adequacy. Besides her research pursuits, she has served in a variety of school-based positions, including classroom teacher, teacher leader, curriculum coordinator, and assistant principal. She served as the chief executive officer and founding principal of Widener Partnership Charter School, the first university-assisted charter school in Pennsylvania. The school quickly became known to state and local education officials as a successful model for university-public school partnerships.

As Deputy Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, Anderson is frequently quoted in media, internet and education outlets. She was named the 2021 Educator of the Year from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania and awarded the 2023 AERA Outstanding Public Communication of Education Research Award. Anderson holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree from University of Pennsylvania, a second master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University, and a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University.

Greg Baldwin

Greg Baldwin is the Principal of New Haven Academy. He also teaches Freshman Seminar.  He has taught for over twenty-eight years in both private and public schools.  He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and received a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Brown University.  While at Brown, Greg conducted independent research in urban school restructuring.  He has served as a facilitator for Facing History and Ourselves teacher training workshops in the New Haven area.  In 2002-03, he worked as a Magnet Resource Teacher for the New Haven Public Schools.

David (Dave) Weinreb

Dave is passionate about building effective school systems, championing adult learning and human resources, and enriching school life with partnership and connection. Since moving to New Haven in 2015 he has taught 5th grade Spanish-speaking newcomers at the Fair Haven School, founded the City of New Haven’s LGBTQ Youth Task Force and Yale’s Code Haven, served as a Board Member of the Fair Haven Community Management Team and the New Haven Federation of Teachers, and as adjunct faculty at Relay Graduate School of Education and Quinnipiac University’s School of Education.  Previously, he worked as the founding high school placement director, staff recruitment lead, enrichment coordinator, and technology enthusiast for The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School in Washington Heights, NYC. He earned his M.Ed. in School Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, M.A. from Johns Hopkins University, bilingual/TESOL cross endorsement via ARCTELL, and B.A. in History and Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Marquelle Middleton

Marquelle L. Middleton is the Director of School Choice and Enrollment for New Haven Public Schools. He oversees the district’s School Choice Program, which offers families the opportunity to select from a diverse range of schools tailored to students’ academic interests and needs. A graduate of Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Middleton has deep roots in the community. Before taking on his current role, he worked in various educational capacities, contributing to student success and administrative leadership. Middleton plays a key role in managing the application and placement process for students from preschool through grade 12, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities. His work includes coordinating events like the School Choice Expo and collaborating with families and school administrators to support student success.