Staff

Rob Atterbury

Director, District and Regional Support

Rob Atterbury is a Director for District and Regional support for ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career, where he has been on staff since 2009. Rob began his career in the automotive industry, and later became a career technical education teacher, curriculum coordinator, director, and Associate Superintendent for high school transformation.

Rob has committed his life’s work to making schools more relevant to students. He is passionate about improving instruction through real-world, standards-based, project-based learning designed to truly engage students. This approach is guided by the belief that providing every student with a continuum of work-based learning experiences better prepares them for college, career, and life.

When not supporting districts and schools in championing change, Rob can be found on the water boating, camping by the beach with his wife of 29 years, or seeing his grown children now find success in their careers.

Rob is a graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Studies and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from United States International University. He holds various teaching credentials and a Clear Administrative Services Credential from San Diego State University.

Michelle Berrios

Senior Event Planner/IT Administrator

Michelle Berrios began her career in the hospitality industry, working with major hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area. After a few years as Director of Catering, she decided to transfer her skills to Event and Meeting Planning.

She currently has over 15 years of experience as an Event and Meeting Planner, working with major corporations, associations and organizations, including PMI, Kaiser Permanente and AAA in the San Francisco Bay Area. She earned her certification as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).

In addition, Michelle has extensive experience with web design and creation, database management and IT. While at Kaiser Permanente she worked with key stakeholders to lead the research, presentation and training for a national online registration product.

Her continuing education focus has been hotel and vendor contracts and budgets. With colleagues at Kaiser and AAA, she led the creation of standard contract clauses to provide contracts in the best interest of the organization. Event planning allows Michelle to use both her creative and analytical skills.

Kiera Brodsky-Chase

Director, Instructional Design and Research

Kiera is committed to challenging the status quo. She comes to ConnectED from a 15-year career working in special education and instructional coaching. Kiera’s vision is to ensure access to high quality instruction for all learners. Kiera has worked as a teacher in residential programs, K-12 special education programs, focusing on 9-12 full inclusion. She became an instructional coach supporting other learning specialists. Kiera also developed an interest in designing Blended Learning programs that prioritized the integration of technology and coached teachers who were implementing. She began this work in Algebra 1 classrooms, growing the program to include math classroom 9-12 and assistive technology for student 9-12 in all disciplines.

Kiera has a Ph.D. in Special Education with a Designated Emphasis in New Media. Her research explores how the tools and technologies that are used in education influence learning, with an emphasis on discovery-based approaches. Using a design-based research approach she has designed alternative approaches to introducing learners to important aspects of algebraic cognition. Her dissertation focused on how technology-based learning activities can facilitate emergent algebraic understanding that is subjectively transparent and proposes a new pedagogical approach called Reverse Scaffolding.

Ben Crosby

Director, Technology and Media

Ben believes in designing systems to make college, career, and life work for all students.

He began his career in public education as a high school teacher in Northern California. In the classroom, Ben saw the impact high-quality college-and-career pathways had on at-risk youth. This experience solidified his belief in preparing students for college and career, and ignited a passion to help develop agency and more positive identities for those farthest away from opportunity. After seven years in the classroom, Ben moved into a coaching role, supporting district-level development and improvement of college and career pathways. From there, he was recruited to serve with ConnectED, a national education non-profit. Today, he works as Director of Technology and Media, with a mandate to develop ConnectED’s digital ecosystem to better serve and support our work and the work of our partners.

When he’s not busy innovating, evolving, and scaling better education systems, Ben spends time enjoying fatherhood, motorcycle riding, reading, and playing bass.

Joseph Hendry

Administrator, IT Management/Operations

Joseph Hendry is IT Administrator for ConnectED. He has previous experience teaching English in the Czech Republic, as well as working at a tech startup and managing a café in San Francisco. Joseph graduated from New College of Florida in Sarasota, with a BA in Anthropology.

Gary Hoachlander

President

Gary Hoachlander is President and CEO of ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career. Beginning his career in 1966 as a brakeman for the Western Maryland Railroad, he has devoted most of his professional life to helping young people learn by doing—connecting education to the opportunities, challenges, and many different rewards to be found through work.

Widely known for his expertise in career and technical education and many other aspects of elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, Gary has consulted extensively for the U.S. Department of Education, state departments of education, local school districts, foundations, and a variety of other clients. Gary earned his Bachelor’s degree at Princeton University and holds both a Master’s and Ph.D. degree from the Department of City and Regional Planning, University of California, Berkeley.

So many students ask: “Why do I need to know this?” It’s a fair question, and we must provide better answers!

JD Hoye

Special Advisor to ConnectED

JD is the former Chief Executive Officer of NAF and a former member of the NAF Board of Directors. With a deep commitment to preparing students for college and meaningful careers, JD has worked at both the grassroots and the highest levels of government for decades, to reform how young people are engaged in learning and how they are positioned to pursue their academic interests and career goals.

Prior to her appointment at NAF, JD served as President of Keep the Change, Inc., a nationally recognized consulting business focused on helping communities reform education and develop a skilled workforce. During her years in the public sector, she developed and implemented policy at the highest level of federal government. In 1994, she was selected by US Secretary of Education Richard Riley and US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich to head the new Office of School-to-Work in Washington, D.C. She served in that role for four years, overseeing a $1.1 billion budget and spurring nationwide progress in education reform and workforce development.

Kentaro Iwasaki

Director, Instructional Impact in Mathematics

The son of Japanese immigrants, Kentaro knew from a young age that he aspired to become a teacher. Growing up in Southern California, he experienced first-hand the deep and dissonant disparity between public and private schools, which inspired him to provide the highest quality education possible to students furthest from opportunity. He thrived in his role as a high school math teacher and department head for 16 years, primarily at Mission High School in San Francisco. There, he led his department in dismantling the tracked honors math program, resulting in an increase of Advanced Placement (AP) math enrollment by 400% and increased passing rates on AP math exams among students of color. Kentaro has been with ConnectED since 2011 where he leads work focused on instructional impact through core values of authenticity and trust. Kentaro holds a B.A. with Honors from Stanford and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Harvard. He received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2011 and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

Julie Koenke

Director, District and Regional Support

Julie Koenke serves as the Executive Director of the Great Lakes College and Career Pathway Partnership (GLCCPP), a collaboration between ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career, Education Systems Center, Jobs for the Future. With support from the Joyce Foundation, the GLCCPP supports the implementation of college and career pathways within four Great Lakes communities; Columbus, OH, Madison, WI, Rockford, Il, and the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Additionally, Julie serves as the Director of District and Regional Support working with school districts on the east coast.

Julie has over 20 years of experience as a youth worker, community educator, and district administrator working towards systems-level change. She brings her expertise in developing effective collaborative teams, supporting change management, and a passion for creating equitable schools and communities.

Throughout her career, Julie has been led by the belief that developing and deepening relationships is critical to expanding opportunities for students and their communities. With 20 years of experience developing public/private partnerships, Julie has spearheaded partnerships between public schools, non-profits, higher education institutions, businesses, foundations, and industry in order to bolster student achievement and success. As a result, these cross-cutting programs saw an increase in participation in afterschool programs, high school graduation rates, college enrollment rates, and access to and achievement in advanced and rigorous coursework for historically-underserved youth. Prior to her current role, Julie served as the Director of Secondary Programs and Pathways Partnerships for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) in Wisconsin. She led MMSD’s efforts to implement personalized pathways with a Linked Learning approach across 16 middle and high schools.

Julie graduated from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and attained her Master of Fine Arts from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Julie has attended both University of Wisconsin and Ferris State University working towards a Master’s in Experiential Education. She enjoys hiking in the mountains of Western North Carolina, spending time painting and drawing in her studio.

Jennifer Lutzenberger Phillips

Director, Learning, Teaching, and Pathway Development

Jennifer Lutzenberger Phillips brings significant experience as an educational leader, student advocate, coach, and literacy teacher to her position as Director, Learning, Teaching, and Pathway Development. Formerly, she was the vice president of Teaching and Learning at Envision Schools and a school improvement coach and a content coach in secondary English, with a focus on curriculum and assessment, at the Oakland Unified School District. She also taught high school English in the Baltimore City Public Schools and was an advisor for the Met in Providence, Rhode Island.

Jenn began her teaching career at the university level, where she taught composition and literature. She taught and mentored in the Educational Opportunity summer bridge program at Binghamton University in New York and supported the writing center and writing across the curriculum program at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Jenn was also a student activist, adult literacy tutor, and popular educator; she brings a commitment to equity and social justice to her work.

Elizabeth Mendez

Office Manager

Elizabeth Mendez is an Office Manager at ConnectED.  She has decades of experience in business administration and operations. Before joining ConnectED, she worked most recently with The Nielsen Company and Networks by Design. Work for Elizabeth is deeply rooted in connections to community and team; people are at the heart of her achievements.

When not at work, Elizabeth loves finding renewal in nature and art. When she isn’t playing with her dogs and cat or tending her yard, she may be hiking, camping, kayaking, or creating with friends. She is active in her community through service and mentorship, but her favorite place is in her kitchen cooking with her husband and catching up with her two adult children.

Shierra Merto

Director, Finance and Contracts

Shierra Merto is Director of Finance at ConnectED. Prior to this position, Shierra was Manager for Contracts and Project Administration at RTI International and at MPR Associates, Inc. where she managed contracts in excess of $20M annually. She joined ConnectEd in 2015 and was part of the MPR team that launched ConnectED in 2006. She has over 18 years of experience in planning, implementation, and managing contracts, proposals, and projects for profit and non-profit organizations. Shierra’s areas of expertise include federal, state, local government and commercial procurements and contracts; federal contracting vehicles and regulations such as the FAR, FTR and CFR; contract and subcontract development, assessment, negotiation, and administration; and project cost budgeting, tracking, forecasting, resource allocation, and scheduling. She is skilled at improving, developing, and standardizing contract and project management process and systems.

Angela Pacheco

Executive Program Assistant

Angela serves as Executive Program Assistant, supporting the CEO, as well as providing crucial program administrative support to ConnectED’s community partnership engagements. Prior to joining ConnectED, Angela served as Executive Assistant in a range of different companies, including IPG Mediabrands, MedHelp, and Theravance Biopharma. After graduating from Modesto Junior College with an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration, she earned her BA from Brooks Institute, majoring in Professional Photography and Commercial Advertising. While in Santa Barbara, she taught photography at the California Police Activities League and continues to be engaged in youth programs

Deanna Penales

Accountant

Deanna Penales is an Accountant at ConnectED, working with the Finance Team.  Deanna has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accountancy from California State University of Sacramento. Three years ago, Deanna decided to move from her hometown of Sacramento to San Francisco to pursue a career in and expand her knowledge of Accounting/Finance. She has over 9 years of experience in working in accounting and finance. Prior to joining ConnectED, she worked for Aechelon Technology, Chase Bank, Nicholas Pension Consultants, and Valley Healthcare Staffing. From running half-marathons to hiking Yosemite’s half dome, Deanna loves outdoor activities and being active. She also enjoys working out at the gym and trying new restaurants and eateries in the San Francisco.

Jason Quiara

Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer

Jason Quiara is Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer at ConnectED.

Before coming to ConnectED, Jason was a Senior Program Officer for the Education and Economic Mobility Program at the Joyce Foundation. At Joyce, led the Foundation’s national college- and career-readiness grant-making portfolio. He also managed the Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership – a multi-state initiative to strengthen partnerships between school districts, postsecondary institutions, and employers to give high school students a head start on college and career.

Before Joyce, Jason worked at Jobs for the Future (JFF) and led a national policy initiative to expand Early College High Schools and dual enrollment programs – especially for students of color and youth from low-income households.

Prior to JFF, Jason was the Director of State Policy and Research for the New England Board of Higher Education and directed College Ready New England. The initiative promoted policies to improve college readiness and increase educational attainment for young people in New England.

Jason earned a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy at Boston College, a master’s degree in education policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where he was awarded a Neubauer Civic Scholarship. Jason serves on the boards of two non-profit organizations and was recently appointed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to serve as a Trustee on the Chicago State University Board of Trustees.

Pier Sun Ho

Associate Director, Learning, Teaching, and Pathway Development

As an Associate Director for Learning, Teaching and Pathway Development at ConnectED, Pier supports high-quality instructional design within pathway programs. Experiential learning has always sparked new interests and opened new doors for Pier, so her main passion is designing—and supporting teachers to design—learning experiences that are multi-disciplinary, engaging, and challenging for all students. Pier also supports Common Core-aligned performance assessment design and analysis, along with various aspects of establishing new industry-based pathways within high schools.

Prior to joining ConnectED, Pier worked as an educator and educational researcher for more than a decade, teaching science and mathematics in Massachusetts for six years before returning to graduate school at the University of Michigan. During her graduate studies, Pier wrote science curriculum, designed and delivered professional development, and conducted research in Detroit Public Schools as part of a systemic reform initiative supporting technology-rich, inquiry-oriented science instruction in urban school districts.

Pier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and multiple graduate degrees in various fields of education and the sciences from the University of Michigan. When not supporting teachers, Pier can be found trying to pass on her nerd credentials, the Mandarin language, and mad kitchen skills to her two rascally children.

Daphannie Stephens

Chief Program Officer

Daphannie Stephens is ConnectED’s Chief Program Officer. Her work experience clearly demonstrates strong leadership skills, commitment to coaching and a belief in high-quality teaching and learning.

As Director of Leadership Connection for Justice in Education (LCJE) and Coordinator of Public Programs at UC Berkeley, Daphannie led the development and adoption of a strategic plan, supported coaches, taught classes and managed district partnerships. Daphannie was also the project manager on several major initiatives including the partnership between UC Berkeley and UCLA to launch a statewide online induction program for graduates of both schools’ Principal Leadership Institutes (PLI). She served as Associate Director for School and District Services at Partners in School Innovation, where she led the school services team and managed partnerships with San Francisco and San Jose Unified School Districts. Daphannie was a School Change Coach and Project Manager for the Bay Area Coalition for Equitable Schools (BayCES) now known as the National Equity Project (NEP). At BayCES, she managed the Small Schools Initiative incubator for the Oakland Unified School District, helping to develop 14 new schools and coach site administrators to improve academic achievement.

Daphannie holds an M.A. in Education and a B.A. in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley.

Maggie Williams

Chief Financial Officer

Margaret “Maggie” Williams serves as the Chief Financial Officer at ConnectED.

Before ConnectED, Maggie served as the Chief Financial Officer for the non-profit organization, Second Chance, where she managed a $6M program that helps to improve the lives of individuals formerly incarcerated in the Criminal Justice System.

Prior to Second Chance, Maggie served as the Chief Financial, Administrative, and Compliance Officer with Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. For nearly 12 years, Maggie provided financial oversight and compliance for Catholic Charities and supported various operational functions – including institutional investments, human resources, facility, Safety and Security and information technology. During her tenure, she played a critical role in Catholic Charities’ expansion from an operating budget of $15M to $47M.

Maggie received her bachelor’s degree in accounting finance from London Executive. She later earned a certificate of non-profit management from the University of Notre Dame. In 2014 and 2015, Maggie received the prestigious Bay Area CFO of the Year Finalist Award.