EDUP Xcelerated Excellence

Our Guest, Michelle Maslowski, MBA, CFRE, is Managing Director, Carter. With over 15 years of experience as a senior development leader in the nonprofit sector, Michelle, has a proven track record of developing and executing high-impactfundraising strategies that result in transformational gifts and long-term donor engagement.  As Managing Director at Carter, Michelle specializes in building and enhancing fundraising programs that drive sustainable growth and long-term success for nonprofits. She brings deep expertise in major gifts, planned and annual giving, and in building successful grateful patient and alumni programs—helping organizations cultivate, solicit, and steward high-impact donors to maximize philanthropic support. Her experience in strategic planning ensures that organizations have clear, actionable roadmaps to achieve their fundraising and mission-driven goals. Michelle also provides campaign planning guidance, assisting nonprofits in launching and executing capital, comprehensive, and special fundraising initiatives. Additionally, she supports board engagement, helping nonprofit boards strengthen their partnership in philanthropy and overall impact on the organization’s success. Most recently, Michelle served as the Associate Vice President, Individual Philanthropy for Moffitt Cancer Center, providing oversight and direction for the principal gifts, major gifts, and planned and annual giving programs, as well as advancing theFoundation’s 10-year strategic plan. In addition, Michelle has held key leadership roles in two highly successful comprehensive campaigns, including Drexel University’s $455 million "Dream It. Do It. Drexel. A Campaign for the Future."and Jefferson Health’s $1 billion "Reimagine: The Campaign for Jefferson." Her experience in managing large-scale fundraising initiatives, donor engagement strategies, and campaign execution positions her as a trusted advisor for organizations seeking to strengthen their philanthropic efforts.  Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business administration from Drexel University. While at Drexel, Michelle was a standout basketball player. When she graduated, she was Drexel’s all-time leading scorer, with over 1,900 points scored, and still ranks as Drexel’s second all-time leading scorer. She then played basketball professionally throughout Europe for 10 years. Michelle and her husband, Joe, live in Bradenton, Florida. She enjoys traveling, Pilates, yoga, biking, and anything outdoors. Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.Resources: EDUP The Experience Greeting: Joel Nomdarkham Research Assistant: Emma Worthington #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our Guest, Kalebe Easley, is a youth sports performance coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Prime Evolution Fitness & Sports Performance, one of the fastest-rising athletic development programs in Southern California. Based in Orange County, Kalebe specializes in speed, agility, strength, and sport-specific performance for athletes across football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and more. A former collegiate athlete with over 24 years of combined athletic and coaching experience, Kalebe holds advanced certifications in personal training, corrective exercise, flexibility, and balance training through NASM. His coaching philosophy centers on the belief that athleticism is a skill, and with the right combination of time, information, and consistency, any athlete can transform their game. Kalebe has helped athletes at every level—from youth standouts and travel-ball players to high-level competitors including MLS Next, LA Galaxy Academy, NTIS USA Baseball, and top-tier high school programs. His athletes are known for becoming faster, more adaptable, more confident, and more prepared for the demands of their sport. Beyond coaching, Kalebe is an innovator building a brand rooted in excellence, discipline, and opportunity. His company is expanding into media, training systems, and future facility growth, with a mission to create elite performance environments for the next generation of athletes. Driven, intentional, and deeply passionate about athlete development, Kalebe is dedicated to helping young athletes evolve not just in sports, but in life. Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choices of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.Resources: EDUP The ExperienceXcelerated Excellence Consulting Greeting: Joel Nomdarkham Research Assistant: Emma Worthington #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our Guest, Eric R. Almonte, serves as Assistant Vice President for Capital Giving at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ. In this role, he supervises an extremely dedicated and professional staff, including three frontline fundraising teams and the support staff for Leadership Gifts, International Development, and the Office of Gift Planning. The Capital Giving team focuses on fundraising to increase access and affordability opportunities, endowed professorships, and research funding to support innovation.  Prior to this role, he was the Associate Vice President of Major Gifts at Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA, where he managed a talented group of advancement professionals that supported the Haub School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, Hawk Athletics, and the Kinney Center for AutismEducation and Support. As Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts at Drexel University,Philadelphia, PA, Eric led fundraising initiatives at the LeBow College of Business, the Close School of Entrepreneurship, Goodwin College, and Sports Management. Prior to working at Drexel, he served as Manager for Voyager Select at The Vanguard Group, Malvern, PA, working with high-net-worth clients.  Before Vanguard, Eric served as the Executive Associate to the President at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA, where he was the chief of staff and provided leadership to the university President on a spectrum of university-related matters. Before joining Cheyney University, Eric served as Director of Equity and Diversity Initiatives at Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA, where he managed the College's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. Eric has also worked at The Ohio Board of Regents, as Assistant Director, Access Initiatives, to increase college access programs throughout the state of Ohio. Additionally, he worked at Denison University as Assistant Dean, Office of Academic Support, where he supported student success initiatives and mentored students in the Posse Scholars program.  He was also an assistant football coach, working with the wide receivers, defensive backs, and outside linebackers. Eric earned his Juris Doctorate at the University at Buffalo, LawSchool, Buffalo, NY, where he also earned his undergraduate degrees in Sociology and African American Studies and was a member of the University football team. Eric is a first-generation Dominican American who was born in Brooklyn, NY. Eric lives in Ardmore, PA, with his wife Michele, daughter Sofia, and son Eric. Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠. Xcelerated Excellence, LLC is dedicated to offering support to educational leaders and their organizations to meet their full potential for excellence. We do so by upholding the value of design thinking for solutions, integrity of practice, continuous quality improvement, and innovation to unlock potential.Resources: EDUP The ExperiencePrinceton University Giving Greeting: Devin Rankin Research Assistant: Emma Worthington #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY    

Our Guest, Dr. Paul Campbell, is Assistant Professor of Educational Administration and Leadership at The University of Hong Kong, where he also serves as an elected member of the university Senate, a Management Committee member of the Education Policy Unit, and Advisory Board Member for the In-Service Teacher Education Programme (INSTEP). His research investigates the evolving nature of educational leadership and policy in contexts of change and uncertainty, with a particular focus on how diverse approaches to knowledge production and evidence use shape educational reform. Adopting a systems perspective, his work explores the complex interplay between leadership development, policy enactment, and contextually grounded educational change. A former Vice Principal and school leader, Paul is a Scholar-Practitioner Fellow of the Asia Pacific Centre for Leadership and Change and an Honorary International Affiliate of the Centre for International Research into Leadership in Education (CIRLE). He serves on the board of the InternationalCongress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI), co-coordinates its Educational Leadership Network, and chairs its Communication and Knowledge Sharing Committee.  He is also co-founder of the Knowledge Production inEducational Leadership Research Network with Prof. Sefika Mertkan, and sits on multiple editorial boards, including School Leadership and Management, Management in Education, and the International Journal of Educational Management. His work has been published in leading journals and presented at major international conferences, and he is actively involved in doctoral supervision and leadership development internationally. Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: Western Governors University. WGU is an online, accredited university that specializes in personalized learning and making higher education accessible for as many people as possible.Resources: EDUP The Experience⁠ Conceptualising Collaboration for Educational Change: The Role of Leadership and Governance(Article)Reframing Teacher Wellbeing: Policy, Leadership, and Localized Insight Through Asia as Method (Article) EDUP ExperienceGreeting: Devin Rankin Research Assistant: Emma Worthington #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY  

Our Guest, Dr. Gracie Branch, serves as the Associate Executive Director for Professional Learning at the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and formerly served as the Executive Director for Elementary Principals at the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA).   In her current position, Dr. Branch sustains and grows leadership opportunities by providing quality professional learning for administrators that encompasses national educational standards and initiatives.  In 2011, she earned her PhDfrom the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Educational Administration, Curriculum and Supervision where she was named a David L. Clark Scholar by the American Educational Research Association and the University Council for EducationalAdministration (UCEA).  She also holds a M.S. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Oklahoma.   In 2000, Dr. Branch received National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist.  In 2016, the UCEA recognized Dr. Branch for excellence in educational leadership.  Dr. Branch feels that her 46 years in education serve as a solid foundation to carry out her responsibilities at NAESP and to achieve high professional standards in our nation's schools.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.  Xcelerated Excellence Consulting. Xcelerated Excellence, LLC is dedicated to offering support to educational leaders and their organizations to meet their full potential for excellence. We do so by upholding the value of design thinking for solutions, integrity of practice, continuous quality improvement, and innovation to unlock potential.⁠Resources: EDUP The ExperienceThe Wallace FoundationLearning Policy InstituteNAESP⁠Greeting: Devin RankinResearch Assistant: Emma Worthington #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #NAESP

Our Guest, Dr. ⁠Sundeep R. Muppidi⁠, is a transformative higher education leader and Professor of Digital Media and Journalism at the ⁠University of Hartford⁠.He has substantive experience driving institutional excellence through strategic innovation, adaptable program review systems, multi-year assessment models and student-centeredinitiatives. A distinguished scholar with a doctorate from ⁠Bowling Green State University⁠, Dr. Muppidi brings nearly three decades of global expertise. His research focuses on international communication, complexity, and communication for social change and empowerment. His scholarly contributions include four co-authored/edited books, over 50 book chapters and refereed journal articles, numerous media productions, and more than a hundred refereed conference presentations and invited talks worldwide. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Asia-Pacific Media Educator, Media Asia and as the Associate Editor of the Asian Journal of Communication. He continues to serve on several disciplinary editorial boards, including for the International Journal of Politics and Media, International Communication Research Journal, and the Global Media Journal India. A committed educator, Dr. Muppidi is recognized for his innovative teaching methods and leadership in classroomtechnology integration. He serves as a trained Peer Reviewer for the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation (CTEI). In 2021, he received the prestigious Oscar and Shoshana Trachtenberg Award for Distinguished Service to the University of Hartford.   Your Host: ⁠⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠⁠ Sponsor: ⁠The 2.0 Conferences⁠. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.  Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: ⁠CXO 2.0⁠, ⁠Education 2.0⁠, ⁠Health 2.0⁠, ⁠Founders 2.0⁠, and the ⁠Fueld Conference⁠. ⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting. ⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting, LLC is dedicated to offering support to education leaders and their organizations to meet their full potential for excellence⁠.Resources: Dr.Sundeep R. Muppidi—21st Century Media Instruction, CriticalThinking, Polarization, and Social Responsibility (Part 1 of 2) Podcast⁠EDUPThe Experience⁠ Greeting: ⁠Jake Small⁠#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our Guest, Dr. Sundeep R. Muppidi, is a transformativehigher education leader and Professor of Digital Media and Journalism at the University of Hartford.He has substantive experience driving institutional excellence through strategic innovation, adaptable program review systems, multi-year assessment models and student-centered initiatives. A distinguished scholar with a doctorate from Bowling Green State University, Dr. Muppidi brings nearly three decades of global expertise. His research focuses on international communication, complexity, and communication for social change and empowerment. His scholarly contributions include four co-authored/edited books, over 50 book chapters and refereed journal articles,numerous media productions, and more than a hundred refereed conference presentations and invited talks worldwide. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Asia-Pacific Media Educator, Media Asia and as the Associate Editor of the Asian Journal of Communication. He continues to serve on several disciplinaryeditorial boards, including for the International Journal of Politics and Media, International Communication Research Journal, and the Global Media Journal India. A committed educator, Dr. Muppidi is recognized for his innovative teaching methods and leadership in classroom technology integration. He serves as a trained Peer Reviewer for the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation (CTEI). In 2021, he received the prestigious Oscar and Shoshana Trachtenberg Award for Distinguished Service to the University of Hartford.   Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. Xcelerated Excellence Consulting. Xcelerated Excellence Consulting, LLC is dedicated to offering support to education leaders and  their organizations to meet their full potential for excellence⁠.Resources: EDUP The Experience⁠Greeting: Jake Small#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, is the founder of Identity TalkConsulting, LLC, a global educational consulting firm that specializes in developing K-12 teachers into identity-affirming educators. Rooted in the core values of equity, empowerment, and authenticity, Identity Talk Consulting, LLC provides a range of professional learning experiences, including keynote speaking, virtual and in-person trainings, leadershipconsulting, and e-courses, to help educators sharpen their cultural responsiveness and anti-bias, anti-racist (ABAR) practices. The firm is licensed as a DESE-approved professional development provider and officially recognized as a Minority Owned Enterprise within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Prior to launching Identity Talk Consulting, Mr. Sarfo-Mensah served for nine years as a middle school math teacher in Philadelphia, PA and Boston, MA, where he was known not only for his instructional effectiveness but also for his student-centered, culturally affirming approach to teaching. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Temple University, where his experiences as both a student and student-leader laid the foundation for his professional and pedagogical journey. His latest book, Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom, recently received the 2025 IPPY Gold Medal for Best Education Commentary Book and the2024 Foreword INDIES Gold Award for Best Education Book, further cementing his status as a thought leader in culturally responsive education.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.Xcelerated Excellence ConsultingXcelerated Excellence Consulting, LLC is dedicated to offering support to education leaders and  their organizations to meet their full potential for excellence.  ⁠Resources: Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom (Book)EDUP The Experience⁠Greeting: Jake Small#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, is the founder of Identity Talk Consulting, LLC, a global educational consulting firm that specializes in developing K-12 teachers into identity-affirming educators. Rooted in the core values of equity, empowerment, and authenticity, Identity Talk Consulting, LLC provides a range of professional learning experiences, including keynote speaking, virtual and in-person trainings, leadership consulting, and e-courses, to help educators sharpen their cultural responsiveness and anti-bias, anti-racist (ABAR) practices. The firm is licensed as a DESE-approved professional development provider and officially recognized as a Minority Owned Enterprise within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Prior to launching Identity Talk Consulting, Mr. Sarfo-Mensah served for nine years as a middle school math teacher in Philadelphia, PA and Boston, MA, where he was known not only for his instructional effectiveness but also for his student-centered, culturally affirming approach to teaching. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Temple University,where his experiences as both a student and student-leader laid the foundation for his professional and pedagogical journey. His latest book, Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom, recently received the 2025 IPPY Gold Medal for Best Education Commentary Book and the2024 Foreword INDIES Gold Award for Best Education Book, further cementing his status as a thought leader in culturally responsive education.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.  Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Resources: Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom (Book)EDUP The Experience⁠Greeting: Jake Small#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Dr. Jamal Watson, is anaward-winning journalist. He has held numerous roles at Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. He has been a senior staff writer, managing editor, executiveeditor and editor-at-large. He has written and edited for the publication since 2005. He is currently on the graduate school faculty at Trinity Washington University and has served as associate dean of the School of Business and Graduate Studies since 2022. He is a contributor to The Washington Monthly and a regular commentator on television networks. In 2025, Education Week listed him as one of the nation's top 200 university-based educators who influenced education policy in 2024. A native of Philadelphia, Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in English and Theology from Georgetown University, a master's degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, a master's degree in Higher Education from the University of Delaware and a master's and a Ph.D. in Afro-American Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.His writings have appeared in numerous publications including The Baltimore Sun, and USA Today. He is the author of a forthcoming biography on the Reverend Al Sharpton and a book about the student debt crisis.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.  Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Resources: Jamal WatsonDiverse: Issues In Higher EducationThe Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency (Book)EDUP The Experience⁠Greeting: Jake Small#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Dr. Jamal Watson, is an award-winning journalist. He has held numerous roles at Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. He has been a senior staff writer, managing editor, executiveeditor and editor-at-large. He has written and edited for the publication since 2005. He is currently on the graduate school faculty at Trinity Washington University and has served as associate dean of the School of Business and Graduate Studies since 2022. He is a contributor to The Washington Monthly and a regular commentator on television networks. In 2025, Education Week listed him as one of the nation's top 200 university-based educators who influenced education policy in 2024. A native of Philadelphia, Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in English and Theology from Georgetown University, a master's degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, a master's degree in Higher Education from the University of Delaware and a master's and a Ph.D. in Afro-American Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His writings have appeared in numerous publicationsincluding The Baltimore Sun, and USA Today.He is the author of a forthcoming biography on the Reverend Al Sharpton and a book about the student debt crisis.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 20262.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.   Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Resources: Jamal WatsonDiverse: Issues In Higher EducationThe Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency (Book)EDUP The Experience⁠Greeting: Jake Small#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Jerrica Thurman, is the visionary founder behind Elation Communications, a trailblazing firm helping mission-driven organizations amplify their voice, elevate their brand, and accelerate impact. With more than two decades of leadership at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and social change, Jerrica is redefining what it means to lead with purpose in today’s fast-moving world. As President & CEO of Elation Communications, Jerrica is not just building a company—she’s building a movement. She leads with bold vision and creative edge, bringing fresh energy to brand strategy, organizational growth, and inclusive communications. Under her leadership, Elation has become a go-to partner for nonprofits, foundations, and purpose-led enterprises ready to reimagine how they show up and stand out in a crowded media landscape.Jerrica’s career is marked by transformative wins—including securing a game-changing $15 million federal grant for people with disabilities, repositioning national associations, andleading communications campaigns that drive equity, innovation, and influence. Her award-winning work has earned national recognition—including the 2024 APEX Award for Publication Excellence in Campaigns, Programs & Plans for Public Service and the 2021 APEX Award in COVID-19 Media – Education & Training, further cementing her reputation as a leader who delivers both strategy and substance.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Resources:  Elation CommunicationsEDUP The Experience Greeting: Curtis Valentine #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Nicholas D. Hartlep, Ph.D., holds the Robert Charles Billings Endowed Chair in Education at Berea College wherehe has Chaired the Education Studies Department since 2019. He is currently enjoying a research sabbatical year (2025–2026).  A scholar of educational foundations and critical pedagogy, Dr. Hartlep’s research critically interrogates the modelminority stereotype, urban teacher education, racial battle fatigue in higher education, the political economy of student debt, and the role of neoliberalism in shaping P–20 educational policy and practice. His scholarship is both prolific and widely recognized: he is the author or editor of 26 books, severalof which have received Outstanding Book Awards from the Society of Professors of Education (SPE). Dr. Hartlep currently serves as President of the Kentucky Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (KACTE) and holds national leadership roles on the Executive Boards of the American Association ofColleges for Teacher Education’s (AACTE) Advisory Council of State Representatives (ACSR) and the Diversified Teacher Workforce (DTW) Topical Action Group (TAG).  Dr. Hartlep has also been selected for several prestigious academic leadership programs, including the AACTELeadership Academy, and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) New Leadership Academy (NLA), which was held in 2025 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In September of 2025 Dr. Hartlep will beginhis EPFP Fellowship in the Education Policy Fellowship Program for Community Schools Leaders coordinated by the Institutefor Educational Leadership (IEL).  His scholarship is informed by his lived experience as a Korean transracial adoptee and a deep commitment to equity, justice, and transformative educational leadership. During his researchsabbatical Dr. Hartlep is currently completing What Can Be Learned from Work Colleges? An Education That Works, under contract with SUNY Press. Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.  Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠, providing bespoke consultancies to support to education leaders and  their organizations to meet their full potential for excellence.Resources: Student Loan Debt as a Wicked Problem (Book)EDUPThe Experience⁠ Greeting: Curtis Valentine #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, serves as the Chief Executive Officer at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, where she leads a team at the forefrontof the learning disabilities rights movement. Her unwavering passion for promoting learning accessibility and equitable assessments drives the center’s efforts in developing impactful strategies, forging partnerships, making policy recommendations, and conducting research to improve the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and attention disorders. As an esteemed educator and professor, Jackie has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels,and served as a special education faculty member at the School of Education at William & Mary. Jackie has prepared countless educators in equity-driven assessment practices and progress monitoring based on each student’s individual needs. At NCLD, Jackie continues to passionately advocate for increased access to high-quality education and policies that support diverse and exceptional learners.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.  Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Resources: EDUPThe Experience⁠ Greeting: Curtis Valentine #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #NCLD

Our guest, Xiomara J. Giordano, is Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY Empire. Xiamara holds a Master of Science in Educational Policy and Leadership with a focus on Higher Education from the State University of New York at Albany and received her BA in Spanish and Portuguese Literature from Smith College.  Previously, Xiomara worked at Bennington College, where she made significant contributions to the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In her role as Director of the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and as the College’s Deputy Diversity Officer, she led transformative initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive campus environment. This included developing and implementing comprehensive DEI strategies, organizing workshops and training programs for faculty, staff, and students, and creating partnerships with local organizations to further promote diversity and inclusion in the broader community. In her free time, Xiomara has volunteered as a guiding scholar with the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, where she playeda pivotal role in collaborating on the creation of a comprehensive DEI curriculum tailored specifically for small businesses. Her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion extends beyond her professional roles, reflecting her commitment to creating lasting change. Xiomara's work in DEI extends her influence beyond academia, making a meaningful impact on both educational institutions and the wider community. Her dedication to these principles is a testament to her passion for addressing issues related to culturally relevant pedagogy, equitable access to higher education, and incorporating alternative resolution systems into institutions of learning, all with a strong emphasis onpromoting diversity and inclusion. Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferencesinclude: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. Resources: EDUP The Experience⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠ Greeting: Curtis Valentine #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Antrina Leeth, is an educator with over 18 years of experience. She currently serves as Senior Outreach and Development Manager for the International BaccalaureateOrganization (IBO). Her initial introduction to IB began as a Primary Years Programme (PYP) teacher, before moving into the role of IB Coordinator for 5 years. Prior to joining the International Baccalaureate Organization, Antrinaalso held the role of IB District Manager for all IB Programmes within District of Columbia (DC) Public Schools, supporting the instructional and logistical implementation and sustainability of each IB Programme. Antrina is also a proud parent of 3 IB students and avidly supports the social-emotional and academic growth of all students. Antrina holds a degree from the University of Florida in Elementary Education with a specialization in English Language Learners and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Business Administration.   Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. Resources: International BaccalaureateCultivating Peacebuilders Through International Education EDUP The Experience⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Greeting: Brent MillerResearch Assistant: Emily Bloom #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #IBO

Our guest, Kaplan Mobray, is globally acclaimed as one of the world’s most dynamic and inspirational  business speakers and award-winning author of  “The 10Ks of Personal Branding”.  Educated at the University of Pennsylvania’s  Wharton School, he has been featured across global media outlets including CNN, Biz Asia, FOX Business, Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, and shares his message to NFL players and fans annually at the Super Bowl. Kaplan has delivered keynote presentations and leadership development workshops on 5 continents helping individuals globally to build their brand, grow their business,become better leaders, increase sales, and advance their career. He continues to serve as a consultant to multinational companies working with global business leaders to elevate Performance Excellence, Branding, Business Growth,Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Culture and Engagement, Inclusion, and Workforce Transformation. All of his innovative presentations have been described as life-changing events.  Inhis personal pursuits, Kaplan is a professional saxophone player.  Kaplan serves as a frequent speaker acrossthe Global Conferences and Events Circuit. Kaplan has been a frequent main platform speaker at the prestigious Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT) national and global conferences. Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. Resources: Kaplan MobrayEDUP The Experience⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Greeting: Brent Miller #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #Media #Marketing

Our guest, Mario Jovan, is a world-renowned Leadership Coach and Founder of Messy Roots, LLC. He has developed a specialized coaching curriculum focused on Diversity, Equity,Inclusion & Belonging (DEI) to empower leaders of color. Drawing from his extensive leadership experience, which includes spearheading a multi-million-dollar non-profit, Mario used coaching techniques to foster team member retention. Witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of coaching,Mario is now dedicated to assisting coaches and organizations in harnessing these strategies to grow leaders. Together with his fellow coaches, he eagerly anticipates sharing these valuable insights with you in this immersive experience. Mario Jovan has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 as a leader in social entrepreneurship.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. Resources: EDUP The Experience⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Greeting: Brent MillerResearch Assistant: Emily Bloom #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #LGBTQ

Our guest, Robert Kelty, is Head of Outreach, Government Relations, and Development for the International Baccalaureate (IB) North America.  Robert embarked onhis career journey in Crownpoint, New Mexico, nestled within the Navajo Nation, when he joined Teach For America in 2001. The IB, renowned globally as an esteemed education foundation, operates across more than 6,000 schools worldwide and 2,000 schools within the United States. Robert earned his doctorate from Northern Arizona University (NAU) and received an honorary doctorate from NAU in 2008.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 20262.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.  Resources: International BaccalaureateCultivating Peacebuilders Through International Education EDUP The Experience⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Greeting: Brent MillerResearch Assistant: Emily Bloom #EDUPXE #Educationalexcellence #Educationalequity

Our guest, Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., currently serves as the president and CEO of AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education). She joined AACTE in January 2025, after serving as a distinguished professor and dean of the Schoolof Education at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., for over eight years. During her tenure at AU, Holcomb-McCoy implemented various programs that heightened the visibility of the school within the University and on a national stage. Notably, under her leadershipthe SOE became a stand-alone school in 2019 and grew its enrollment from 200 to more than 1,500 students. In addition, she led the development and implementation of the AU/District of Columbia Public Schools Teacher Pipeline Project and secured a multi-million grant from JP Morgan Chase to launch the stackable credentialing project, Advancing Early Education Collaborative (AEEC) with DC area partners. Before leading the School of Education at AU, Holcomb-McCoy served as vice provost for Faculty Affairs campus-wide andvice dean of Academic Affairs in the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University, where she launched the Johns Hopkins School Counseling Fellows Program and the Faculty Diversity Initiative. She also served as an associate professor in the Department of Counseling and Personnel Services at the University of Maryland College Park and as director of the School Counseling Program at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. She received her bachelor’s in early childhood education and master’s in school counseling degrees from the University ofVirginia and earned a doctorate in counseling and educational development from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 20262.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.   Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.  Resources: AACTEAACTE Holmes ScholarsAACTE Leadership AcademyEDUP The Experience⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠Greeting: Cheryl L. Delk-Le Good Research Assistant: Emily Bloom #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY