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Julie Koenke is the President and CEO of ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career. She leads the organization’s mission to expand high-quality, equitable college and career pathways nationwide, partnering with school districts, communities, and states to ensure all students—especially those furthest from opportunity—graduate prepared for postsecondary success.
Before stepping into the role of President and CEO, Julie had been an integral part of ConnectED for the previous eight years as the Director of District and Regional Support. In this role, she helped expand ConnectED’s impact nationally by partnering with communities from Boston to New Orleans to Portland, co-designing equitable college and career pathways systems that are now preparing thousands of young people for postsecondary success. Most notably, she has co-led The Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership, along with ConnectED’s most recent and wide-reaching college and career systems-level partnerships with North Kansas City (Missouri) and Gallup-McKinley School District (New Mexico).
Before joining ConnectED, Julie worked in the Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin as a youth worker, educator, and district leader, creating and scaling college and career readiness programs and partnerships across 16 middle and high schools serving 16,000 students annually.
With more than 25 years of experience in educational systems transformation, Julie has guided initiatives impacting over 250,000 students, secured more than $27 million in funding for youth-serving programs, and developed 50+ cross-sector partnerships connecting schools, higher education, industry, and community organizations. She is widely recognized for her expertise in systems change, equity-centered leadership, and building collaborative teams that improve outcomes for students of color and those living in poverty.
Julie holds a BFA from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, she enjoys hiking and spending time in her art studio in her free time.
Julie Koenke
Julie Koenke is the President and CEO of ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career. She leads the organization’s mission to expand high-quality, equitable college and career pathways nationwide, partnering with school districts, communities, and states to ensure all students—especially those furthest from opportunity—graduate prepared for postsecondary success. Before stepping into the role of […]
Adam Anderson (Treasurer)
Adam Anderson has extensive experience leading strategy, transformation, and operations in public, private, and nonprofit organizations nationwide. He currently uses his experience to support leaders in a range of organizations and most recently was an Executive Director at the Boston Consulting Group. In addition to serving on the ConnectEd Board, Adam also serves on the […]
Alexandra Kennedy
Alexandra (Alex) Kennedy is an accomplished leader with experience scaling and operationalizing lines of business, leading commercial teams, and driving digital transformation journeys. Alex is the Executive Vice President of Commercial Strategy at My Code Media. In this role, she leads teams accountable for driving revenue, sales operations, and M&A strategy and integration efforts. Prior […]
Jeffrey Fisher
Jeff Fisher is a partner in the San Francisco-based law firm of Farella Braun + Martel. He has a diverse practice involving a variety of high-stakes intellectual property and technology disputes, including patent, trade secret, copyright, and trademark infringement, as well as antitrust and unfair competition cases. He serves as co-chair of Farella’s Litigation Department. Jeff […]
Daphannie Stephens
Daphannie Stephens is ConnectED’s Chief Operations Officer. Her work experience clearly demonstrates strong leadership skills, commitment to coaching and a belief in high-quality teaching and learning. As a 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 […]
Deanna Penales
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 […]
Sri Ananda, PhD (Board Chair)
Dr. Sri Ananda served for over 25 years as a leader in a renowned educational research organization, heading national and statewide research and development efforts related to college and career preparation. Her most recent position was as Chief Program Officer at WestEd, a distinguished not-for-profit organization with 17 offices across the US. As Chief Program […]
Mary Adams
Mary has over 25 years of experience as an Executive Assistant, supporting C-suite executives in both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Before joining ConnectED, she spent 17 years at NAF supporting the CEO. Prior to NAF, Mary worked for a semiconductor company in the Silicon Valley supporting the Chairman and CEO. She resides in Hollister, CA.
Gary Hoachlander
Gary Hoachlander is a Senior Fellow at 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 […]
Gene Schmidt
Gene currently serves as an Educational Consultant for the Four Corners (New Mexico) College and Career Pathways Partnership: College and Career Ready for a Transition Energy Future. In collaboration with ConnectED CEO Gary Hoachlander, Gene provides educational guidance for a consortium partnership of five school districts, three colleges, local businesses and the Navajo Nation on […]