Partner, CM Strategy Group

Dia Bryant specializes in advising and training urban superintendents to build and sustain high-performing district teams. Previously, she served as the Executive Director at The Education Trust New York and held various roles at the New York City Department of Education, including Special Assistant to the First Deputy Chancellor. With extensive experience in educational leadership, Dia has a proven track record in instructional design, equitable school improvement, and change management. She earned her bachelor's degree in Economics from Kalamazoo College, a master’s in Math Education from Brooklyn College, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

President and CEO, Peter Gorman Leadership Associates, LLC

Peter Gorman is the President and CEO of Peter Gorman Leadership Associates, LLC, and serves as Chief in Residence at Chiefs for Change, where he provides executive coaching to help cultivate a diverse pipeline of future district leaders. Previously, as the Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, his leadership contributed to the district winning the 2011 Broad Prize in Urban Education. Peter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Michigan State University, an MBA from Rollins College, and both a Master’s and Doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Central Florida.

Co-Founder, Chief Advocacy Officer at Whiteboard Advisors

Anna Edwards has spent nearly two decades designing influential campaigns and providing strategic advice on national policy and advocacy initiatives to leaders of major businesses and nonprofits. As Chief Advocacy Officer and Co-Founder, she is a trusted advisor to both federal policymakers and state and local leaders, specializing in K-12, higher education, and workforce policy. Anna is a frequent speaker and advisor to education donors and investors, and actively collaborates with governors’ offices, state departments of education, and school districts nationwide. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor to New Markets Venture Partners and was the founding Vice Chair of the national nonprofit mindSpark Learning. Her previous roles include advising for the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the early childhood organization Jumpstart in Washington, DC.

Vice President, K-12 Strategy & Research at Whiteboard Advisors

Hillary Knudson is a seasoned education policy expert committed to improving equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. Alongside the Lead Facilitators, she directs the strategy and content of the National Math Improvement Project, a community of practice that brings together six of the nation’s largest school districts to advance mathematics instruction at scale. Previously, Hillary served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the Tennessee Department of Education, where she co-authored the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan and led major initiatives focused on high-quality instructional materials, early postsecondary opportunities, and accountability. She was instrumental in developing the state’s school improvement model and managing the annual assessment task force, collaborating with the largest districts to drive systemic change. As Vice President at Whiteboard Advisors, Hillary advises a range of education organizations, including nonprofits, foundations, and edtech companies, on navigating the intersection of education policy and practice.

SVP, Head of K-12 Comms at Whiteboard Advisors

An experienced communications strategist, Thomas advises innovative organizations and entrepreneurs on how multi-dimensional campaigns leverage earned media, brand storytelling, and influencer engagement to advance their missions. He is a trusted advisor to editors and reporters at national outlets and trade publications that cover the PK-12 education and learning space.

He previously led communications for a K-12 education nonprofit in Louisiana, where he was responsible for ensuring that its media and engagement strategies advanced its education initiatives at the state and local levels. He also worked on the communications and marketing team for the vice president of student affairs at Louisiana State University.

Project Manager, Consultant

Bonnie Williamson-Zerwic supports NMIP as a consultant on all things project management and grant management. She is an independent K-12 education consultant specializing in people and project management and development; clients have included the Research Partnership for Professional Learning (RPPL), New Teacher Center, and Bridges to Readiness. Prior to consulting, Bonnie spent five years at Instruction Partners as the Director of Development & CEO Support, and previously worked with other nonprofits (New Leaders, NCTQ) and school systems (Metro Nashville Public Schools, YES Prep) on teacher and leader policy and practice.