At Education Pioneers (EP), we believe that unlocking leadership talent is essential to transforming education into a lever for equity. Since 2003, we’ve matched emerging leaders to high-impact projects that build vital capacity for education organizations, helping them tackle challenges beyond the classroom. At the same time, we support these leaders on their path to systems-level general management roles by providing critical leadership development and connecting them with a powerful network of more than 4,700 EP Alumni across the education sector.
As part of our ongoing effort to foster a strong community of education leaders, we brought together Fellows, Alumni, and partners in Chicago for an Impact Exchange in July. The evening buzzed with energy as we highlighted our Alums and current Fellows’ transformative work and shared bold visions for the future.
The event began with remarks from national Board member and EP Alum Matt Lyons (2009, 2015), who spoke to our shared mission and shared the story of his path from his EP Fellowship to a career in Chicago Public Schools and beyond.
National Board Member and EP Alum Matt Lyons kicked off the event.
Shruti Saxena (2015), our Chicago Public Schools (CPS) liaison, shared a heartfelt story about how EP broadened her career horizons, leading her to her current role as Program Director at CPS. In turn, Shruti has paid it forward, placing 10 Summer Fellows at CPS this year alone!
EP Alum Shruti Saxena greets Priscilla Kersten of the Square One Foundation.
A standout moment of the evening was hearing firsthand from five 2024 Impact Fellows about their work driving change in organizations across the country:
- Terrye S. Davis discussed her work leading middle grade math initiatives in NYC Public Schools.
- Jon Mohammad shared how his data analysis at South San Francisco United School District is not just tracking progress but transforming decision-making.
- Aaron Funes showcased his data-driven approach to promoting educational equity at National Louis University in Chicago.
- Isabella Hernandez inspired with her role at the U.S. Department of Education, advancing digital equity and the ethical use of AI in education.
- Bryann Fitzpatrick provided valuable insights into her work at Making Waves Academy in Richmond, CA, where she’s enhancing school culture and reducing teacher turnover through faculty feedback.
2023-24 Impact Fellows Aaron Funes, Isabella Hernandez, Terrye S. Davis, Bryann Fitzpatrick, and Jon Mohammad.
Their stories left us energized and excited for what’s ahead, as we continue to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
How You Can Continue to Support EP’s Mission
As we look forward to the future, there are several ways you can stay involved and support our mission of building a more equitable education system:
- Host a Fellow: Inspired by the work of our Fellows? Consider hosting an EP Fellow next year! Our Fellows bring critical project management and analytical skills that help education organizations propel their mission forward. If you’re interested in learning more about how an EP Fellow can support your organization, email [email protected].
- Support EP: Help us continue making an impact on youth across the US. Your donation can contribute directly to our expansion efforts and mission to promote educational equity in the city.
- Stay connected: Follow EP on LinkedIn or Instagram to keep up with the latest news from EP and updates on our Fellows and Alums.
As Matt Lyons emphasized in his opening speech, our community is united by a shared North Star: creating an education system that is equitable for all students. Together, we are making that vision a reality.
EP Alums, friends, and supporters join together in Chicago.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended or supported the event, including our sponsors—Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, and Deloitte. We also want to extend a special thank you to the Chicago Regional Board, the Chicago Alumni Board, and our national and regional board members for their generous contributions and support in making this event possible.
Event photos by Erielle Bakkum Photography
