The P-12 and Higher Education Policy Councils at The Education Trust in Tennessee are comprised of civil rights, education, research, public policy, business, and community leaders who have a demonstrated commitment to educational equity in our state. Council members act as ambassadors, advocates, and allies to help expand and deepen the influence of the organization by providing access to new alliances and critical thought-partnership on a range of issues impacting the public education system in Tennessee. The councils advise The Education Trust in Tennessee with a bold policy agenda that illuminates the magnitude of the achievement gap in education, challenges the status quo on behalf of children, and empowers our diverse Tennessee communities.
P-12 Policy Council
Duretti Ahmad, Student Member
Vanderbilt University
Duretti Ahmad is a rising second-year student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Medicine, Health, & Society, and minoring in…
Brooke Allen
Founding Director
Diverse Learners Cooperative
Brooke is the founding director of Diverse Learners Cooperative. She leads the DLC’s efforts to connect teachers and leaders…
Christopher Candelaria
Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Education
Vanderbilt University
Christopher Candelaria is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Education at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. His research interests…
Trey Cunningham, Student Member
Tennessee State University
Trey S. Cunningham is a first year student at Tennessee State University double majoring in Healthcare Administration and Planning…
Indira Dammu
Senior Analyst
Bellwether Education Partners
Indira Dammu is a Senior Analyst at Bellwether Education Partners. In this role, she works with a variety of…
Robert Fisher
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of Nashville Mayor John Cooper
Robert Fisher is public and social sector leader committed to improving outcomes for children, youth, and families. He currently…
Diarese George
Founder & Executive Director
Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance
Dr. Diarese George is the founder and executive director of the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance, an organization focused…
Joseph Gutierrez
Education Program Officer
Maddox Fund
Joseph Gutierrez is the Education Program Officer at the Maddox Fund, a nonprofit foundation that supports organizations that improve…
Molly Hegwood
Executive Director of English Learners
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Molly Hegwood is the Executive Director of English Learners for Metro Nashville Public Schools. The district is currently home…
Natalie McKinney
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Whole Child Strategies, Inc.
Natalie McKinney is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Whole Child Strategies, Inc. in Memphis. Whole Child Strategies, Inc.…
Erin O’Hara
Executive Director
Tennessee Education Research Alliance
As Executive Director of the Tennessee Education Research Alliance, Erin sets strategic direction for the research partnership and guides…
Nate Schwartz
Annenberg Institute for School Reform
Brown University
Nate is a professor of practice at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. He leads Annenberg's…
Peter Tang
Director of Research
SCORE
Peter is the Director of Research at Tennessee SCORE, identifying and studying new and emerging trends that could advance…
Higher Education Policy Council
Christopher Ruiz Banos, Student Member
Cumberland University
Christopher Ruiz Banos is a student at Cumberland University majoring in mathematics and is the first in his family…
Jared Bigham
Senior Advisor on Workforce & Rural Initiatives
Tennessee Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Jared Bigham currently serves as the Senior Advisor on Workforce & Rural Initiatives for the Tennessee Chamber of…
Laura Delgado
Director
Pionero Scholars Program, Lipscomb University
Laura Delgado, a Cuban-American from Houston, Texas, moved to Nashville to pursue her education at Vanderbilt University. She is…
Stacy Lightfoot
Vice President, College and Career Success
Public Education Foundation, Chattanooga
As PEF’s Vice President of College & Success Initiatives, Stacy has used her skills and expertise in non-profit work…
Alexa Maqueo-Toledo, Student Member
Maryville University
Alexa Maqueo-Toledo (she/her/ella) is a DACA recipient from East Tennessee. She is a senior majoring in Sociology at Maryville…
Jennifer Novo
Executive Director
FUTURO, Inc.
Jennifer Novo is the Executive Director of FUTURO, Inc, a college-success professional development organization in Middle-Tennessee. Jennifer has over…
Hailee B. Roye, Student Member
Vanderbilt University
Hailee B. Roye is a recent graduate of Tennessee State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She's…
Tyvi Small
Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Tyvi Small currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He…
Laura Ward
Vice President of Talent Development
Nashville Chamber of Commerce
Laura Ward is the Vice President of Talent Development at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce where she is…
Russ Wigginton
Chief Postsecondary Impact Officer
SCORE
Russ drives postsecondary work at SCORE, drawing on his deep expertise in higher education to build and maintain relationships…
Dr. LaDonna Young
Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Mathematics
Southwest Tennessee Community College
LaDonna R. Young is the Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Mathematics at Southwest Tennessee Community College (Memphis, TN).…