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Richard has served as the superintendent or chief executive in numerous California school districts, most recently in Lafayette. He was also the chief deputy superintendent in the California Department of Education, as well as the Chief Financial and then Chief Administrative Officer at WestEd. Richard also served 15 years as an elected school board member and serves on both the EdSource and the College Futures Foundation boards.
Richard Whitmore
Richard has served as the superintendent or chief executive in numerous California school districts, most recently in Lafayette. He was also the chief deputy superintendent in the California Department of Education, as well as the Chief Financial and then Chief Administrative Officer at WestEd. Richard also served 15 years as an elected school board member […]
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 Program 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 […]