Voices for Excellence

Danelle Almaraz is an esteemed educational leader with an impressive track record over three decades. Throughout her distinguished career, Danelle’s unwavering commitment to student success and equity has consistently guided her efforts, making her a formidable advocate for the welfare of students, always prioritizing their best interests.

Dr. Vallerie Cave is the Superintendent of Allendale Country Schools. She is an experienced K-12 Turnaround Instructional Leader. Dr. Cave is highly skilled in transformation and school turnaround. She has a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Vallerie is skilled in Educational Consulting, Classroom Management, Educational Technology, Instructional Design, and Curriculum Development. Dr. Cave is a strong business development professional with a Doctor of Philosophy focused in Leadership and Curriculum from Walden University.

Paula Reed is the president and CEO of BizEducation Consulting, Inc. In the industry she is known as a “super connector” and innovative strategist for businesses, organizations and K12 administrators across the country. At BizEducation Consulting, she partners with companies to enhance sales and marketing initiatives and strategies, thought leadership development, designing and facilitating focus groups, advisory boards, events, and community ambassador programs.

Dr. Andraé Townsel is the Superintendent Calvert County Public Schools who demonstrates commitment to educational excellence. Dr. Townsel has led impressive academic gains, including contributing to Maryland’s meteoric rise in proficiency levels on the latest the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) from 40th to 20th in fourth grade reading nationally, driven by a district-wide commitment to the Science of Reading. 

Kai Frazier is an educator turned EdTech entrepreneur passionate about using technology to provide inclusive and accessible opportunities for underestimated communities. As the founder and CEO of Kai XR, she leads an innovative learning platform that empowers schools to transform education through immersive technologies and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Through virtual field trips, collaborative 3D makerspaces, and interactive assessments, Kai XR boosts classroom engagement, fosters deeper learning, and makes education relevant to the modern world.

Ken (He/Him/His) currently holds an M.A. in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology as well as New Media Design and Production. Ken has provided consulting and professional learning support to many school districts/systems Nationally and Internationally as well as businesses, including non-profits, in the areas of educational/learning technology, organizational culture, equity, diversity, inclusion, and race. Ken also works with State Education Departments on educational policy and advocacy.

Dr. Garner brings 30+ years of experience in team development and leadership, customer success, program development, operational efficiencies, partnership development, and strategic planning to transform spaces, places, and outcomes. While strategic planning and customer success are critical to corporate wins, the complete toolkit includes organizational and operational assessment, performance and productivity improvement, organizational design, change management, and other organizational transformation efforts that she operationalizes with efficacy.

Dr. Tony L. Hemingway is the Superintendent of the Fairfield County School District. Dr. Hemingway is an educator dedicated to the academic achievement of all students and leadership development for teachers and school and district-level administrators. During his career in education, he has served students as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. As a district-level administrator, he worked as the Clover School District's Chief Human Resources and Strategic Planning Officer.

Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil is an experienced educational leader with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. She is skilled in Youth-centered programming, college and career planning, developing strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations, and leadership coaching. Monique is a strong administrative professional with a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) focused in Organizational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University.

Dr. Ron Cabrera has been a public educator for 41 years. He has consulted and worked with multiple school districts doing turnaround work, advising central office leaders, community groups, and the Colorado Department of Education. Ron is a leader in diversity, equity professional learning, programming, and policy development. He led the development of policies and services to support transgender students, receiving praise from the US Department of Education.