Education Pioneers (EP) believes leadership development is a lifelong journey—one that becomes stronger when guided by those leaders who have walked the path before them. This belief came to life during our recent Impact Fellow Convening, where 28 of our current Fellows across five states gathered virtually to deepen their leadership practice and prepare for the final stretch of their Fellowship.
What set this gathering apart? Twelve EP Alumni hailing from districts, nonprofits, and K–12 organizations across the country joined the Convening to guide the Fellows, share insights from their own leadership journeys, and help illuminate the way forward.
Leading Today, Investing in Tomorrow
On day one, Fellows stepped into the role of advisors as Alumni brought forth problems of practice from their current leadership contexts:
- Terrye S. Davis (2024), a Math Research & Data Consultant with NYCPS, sought input on how to elevate student voice in a math curriculum pilot with limited capacity.
- Jasmine Ferguson (2020), Director of Local Impact at EP, explored how to build partner relationships aligned with local strategy in specific markets.
- Waqas Sheikh (2017), Data Manager at EdOps, asked Fellows for their insight into how to build cost-effective, compliant data infrastructure for resource-constrained schools.
This experience allowed Fellows to see themselves not just as learners, but as contributors to other members of the network. The Alums took away fresh ideas and energy to these real-world challenges.
Perspectives That Cross State Lines
On day two, Fellows gained a panoramic view of what leadership looks like in today’s education landscape from our esteemed panel:
- Alexis Chandler Bauserman (2012), Co-Founder, Maven Pathways (Austin)
- Caitlin Gallagher (2021), Head of Growth, Local Civics (NYC)
- Ashley Leonard (2012), Director, To&Through Middle Grades Network (Chicago)
- Peter Leonard (2013), Executive Director of Student Assessment and MTSS, Chicago Public Schools (Chicago)
- Cinthia Ruiz (2011), Chief Integrity Officer, DC Public Schools (Washington DC)
Alumni leaders on the panel reflected on the current state of public education through regional, role-based, and personal lenses. Alums shared their perspective on the biggest forces shaping education in their regions and reflections on how the student and family experience is changing. As the panel wrapped up, the message was clear: the challenges in education may be evolving, but so is the opportunity for meaningful leadership. Cinthia Ruiz (2011) left the group with a reminder that captured the spirit of the Convening: “Celebrate yourselves. You all are doing the work. This is what is needed—you, your talent and capacity.”
During the second half of day two, Fellows participated in an interactive “reverse panel,” where they engaged in small group conversations with EP Alumni who are leading across a range of roles and regions:
- Jacqueline Greer (2006, 2015), VP of Programs & Partnerships at Equal Opportunity Schools (Washington, DC)
- Athena Mak (2013), Leadership and Executive Coach at Athena Mak Coaching and Consulting (Seattle)
- Tamira Samuel (2015), Co-Executive Director of the Urban Leaders Fellowship (Houston)
- Jameelah Stuckey (2019), Senior Manager at TNTP (Tulsa)
Fellows explored how effective leaders take ownership of their growth and development, stay rooted in community, and stretch toward impact by leveraging their unique strengths. The small-group format enabled meaningful, personal connection and conversation between Fellows and Alums.
Leadership Development That Doesn’t End at Alumni Induction
This Convening marked a milestone in our Impact Fellows’ leadership development. Through tailored sessions and peer coaching, Fellows left with renewed motivation to lead with intention in their placements, a clearer understanding of their personal and collective potential for impact, and access to a values-aligned community they can count on long after the Fellowship ends.
As 2024-25 Impact Fellow, Ethan Ong, put it, “These Convenings create space to share diverse perspectives and challenge each other in community. I’ve built real friendships and thought partnerships with other Fellows, and the Alumni panels helped me see both the bigger picture and the concrete steps for my post-Fellowship plans.”
EP’s Alumni Network in Action
This Convening serves as proof that EP’s Fellowship is more than a ten-month placement—it’s an entry point into a talent ecosystem designed for long-term impact, where:
- Leaders don’t work in silos, but in community across generations.
- Solutions from the field are shared in real time to accelerate progress.
- Talent pipelines are supported after initial training.
- Varied perspectives are not just welcomed—they are essential.
After ten months, Fellows become part of a national network of more than 4,700 EP Alumni working across the education ecosystem. Convenings like this one bring that network to life early, reminding Fellows that transformation is a collective effort, not something that happens in isolation.
It’s also a reminder that leadership matters. By investing in the people behind the progress, we provide on-ramps and pivot points that allow leaders to grow their impact over time — ensuring that the right leadership is in place to drive systemic change.
We’re currently accepting partner applications for the 2025-26 Impact Fellowship — email us at [email protected] to learn how you can help bring skilled leaders to the field. If you’d like to support our work, click here to learn more about how you can get involved. You can also explore the stories of more of our EP Alumni on our blog.
Thank you to the Alumni and Fellows who shared their insights and dedicated their time to the Convening, stepping away from their work to engage in this important opportunity. We are grateful for your partnership!
