Dana Peterson is the CEO of New Schools for New Orleans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every child in the city has access to an excellent public school. In this role, he leads efforts to strengthen the conditions that allow great schools, educators, and communities to thrive - working across the ecosystem to support school leaders, advance policies that expand opportunity, and invest in initiatives that help make New Orleans one of the best places in the country to teach and learn. With nearly two decades of experience in education leadership and policy, Peterson has played a key role in efforts to improve schools and expand opportunity for students across Louisiana. He writes and speaks about education reform, civic leadership, and the lessons New Orleans offers communities across the country seeking to expand opportunity for students. Previously, Peterson served as Assistant State Superintendent at the Louisiana Department of Education and as CEO of the Baton Rouge Achievement Zone. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Superintendent of External Affairs of the Recovery School District. Peterson is the founding board chair of the New Orleans Career Center and founder and chair of alignED New Orleans. He currently serves on the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Houston and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Dana lives in New Orleans with his wife, Karen, and is a member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.

Rebecca Purser is a seasoned research professional with 9 years of experience in survey design, data analysis, and strategic consulting. For over 4 years, she has brought deep expertise to her clients at The Harris Poll, where she currently serves as a Senior Research Manager in the custom research practice. In this role, she leads end-to-end execution of high-impact studies—many designed for public release and thought leadership initiatives. Rebecca has deep expertise in survey design, analysis, and reporting, helping clients bring their stories to life through compelling data-driven insights. She has delivered insights across a range of industries including education, healthcare, financial services, and technology, with a focus on helping brands uncover actionable narratives that resonate with stakeholders and the public alike. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in International Affairs from the University of Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Rebecca is based in Chicago.

Oliver Sicat is the CEO of Ednovate, a fast-growing high school charter management organization founded in partnership with the University of Southern California (USC) that is working to change our nation’s high school report card. Previously Oliver was the Chief Portfolio Officer in the Chicago Public Schools, Founding Principal of UIC College Prep with the Noble Network of Charter Schools, and a math teacher in Roxbury, MA, recognized as the Boston Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2006. In 2002, Oliver also founded his first college preparatory non-profit, Emagine, while in Boston. Oliver is a graduate of USC and received his Masters degree from Harvard University. He is a husband, father, Pahara-Aspen Fellow, Broad Academy Fellow at Yale School of Management, YPO member, USC AAPA Alumni Board member, Co-Board President - Los Angeles Collation of Excellent Public Schools, TEDx speaker, marathon runner, Pelontoner, average golfer and a retired nacho blogger.

Debbie Veney is the founder and CEO of Agency. After spending more than a decade tackling the same issues in education policy and making marginal traction at the national level, it was time to create a new playbook. Debbie pulled together all her experiences from strategic communications, government affairs, philanthropy and advocacy and created an organization to shake things up by supporting like-minded nonprofit partners and elevating the voice of parents. Agency lies at the intersection of communications, advocacy, and parent power. She leads a team of communications and marketing professionals who specialize in reputation management, advocacy campaigns, and shaping national communications strategy around public education choice. Debbie brings more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications, advocacy, and media relations, as well as a deep passion for equity in education and belief in the transformative power of high-quality education. Her earlier career in corporate communications included crisis communications, media relations, and roles at DuPont, CIGNA, and UnitedHealth Care. Before founding Agency, Debbie led the communications and marketing team at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. She also managed the government affairs and communications functions at NewSchools Venture Fund, The Education Trust, and Communities In Schools. In addition, she held a senior communications position at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation