PDE Presents

Episode 12 features Jane Clements, the CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania. Serving as a statewide voice on hunger issues, Jane spends her time advocating for policies that support hungry families on both the state and federal levels. Under her leadership, Feeding Pennsylvania has launched Fill a Glass with Hope, the nation’s first statewide charitable fresh milk distribution program; the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative, a produce cooperative that distributes 30 million pounds of produce annually to food banks; and the Healthy Pantry Initiative, a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health that incentivizes food pantries to increase healthy food and beverages for the people they serve. Jane also serves on the state’s Mass Care Feeding Task Force and oversees a Disaster Response Committee, responding to both in-state and out-of-state disasters.

Episode 11 features Dr. Laura Jacob, the superintendent of California Area School District in southwestern PA. She started her career as a high school English teacher and served as an educational technology coach with Classrooms for the Future. Her administrative experience includes being an assistant elementary principal, an assistant middle school principal, a Directory of Technology, and an assistant superintendent. Her undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees come from Duquesne University and she also holds a Certificate is Advanced Educational Leadership and Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University

Episode 10 features Dr. Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez, a national leading authority on leadership development, especially as it pertains to diversity and inclusion. She delivers keynote addresses and presentations drawing upon her experience from roles in the non-profit, private, and government sectors, as well as her doctoral research. Her research about Latina leadership in the United States has served as the foundation for events, conference sessions, publications, and content development - to address the urgency of leadership development for a fast-growing population and create a pipeline of diverse leaders.

Episode nine features Senator Lindsey M. Williams, who represents the 38th Senatorial District in Allegheny County, which encompasses the 11th and 12th Wards of the City of Pittsburgh, the North Hills suburbs, and many of the communities along the Allegheny River Valley.Lindsey has spent her career fighting for working families. As a state Senator, Lindsey’s top priority is serving the constituents of the 38th District through offering one-on-one assistance in her District Office, hosting community events to connect residents with area services, and supporting local organizations and projects. She is also committed to fighting for family-sustaining, union jobs; fully-funded education for all students; and access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Pennsylvanians. She serves as the Democratic Chair of the Senate Education Committee

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Episode eight features Stephanie Sun, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs

"PDE Presents..." is the Pennsylvania Department of Education's podcast series.

Episode seven features Dr. Justin Aglio, the founding senior director for the Readiness Institute at Penn State University

"PDE Presents..." is the Pennsylvania Department of Education's podcast series. Episode six features Joe Welch, Pennsylvania’s 2020-21 Teacher of the Year.

"PDE Presents..." is the Pennsylvania Department of Education's podcast series. Episode five features Sharif El-Mekki, the Founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development.

"PDE Presents..." is the Pennsylvania Department of Education's podcast series. Episode three features Dr. Brenda Allen, president of Lincoln University.

"PDE Presents..." is the Pennsylvania Department of Education's podcast series. Episode four features Jeremy Branch, the Senior Assistant Director of Enrollment Management for Penn State University.