Opening Keynote, April 9
Liz Kleinrock
Liz Kleinrock is a trailblazer in educational innovation, boasting extensive experience as an educator, author, and renowned anti-racist and bias consultant. Her dynamic approach to implementing developmental ideas has left an indelible mark on various organizations, fostering positive change and shaping truly inclusive environments.
Liz addresses the core issues of equity. Her educational approach goes beyond the conventional, shedding light on “taboo” topics and illustrating how to engage in meaningful conversations across diverse social settings.
A transracial adoptee who was born in Korea, she has lived and taught in different places throughout the US. Liz serves as the DEI director of the National Association of Asian American Professionals DC, and works with schools and companies to facilitate learning for adults that supports antibias and antiracist practices.
Liz has collaborated extensively with colleagues across schools, grade levels, and districts, and she currently leads professional development for her school staff within fields relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Furthermore, Liz Kleinrock has both developed and led parent and family education workshops on social and emotional learning, and the importance of discussing race and race issues with children.
Prepare to be inspired and ready to embark on a journey of discovery throughout the conference, exploring the depths of educational equity!
Youth Keynote, April 9
Jamison Ford
Jamison Ford is a 16-year-old orator, leader, and community organizer from Washington, DC. From an early age, Jamison has always focused on understanding our society, providing a voice for youth to liberate marginalized people from systems of oppression.
Jamison has participated in policy-making and youth organizing work around school funding, mental health, safety, housing, and other social justice issues through the Black Swan Academy, DC Girls Coalition, United Leaders for Freedom, and D.C. Public Schools. They have worked extensively with The Black Girl Freedom Fund since March of 2021 as a part of the first group of youth philanthropists dedicated to funding organizations led by and for black women and femmes. They also proudly represent the organizations of Young, Gifted, and Green, performing advocacy work through panels, interviews, speeches, writing, and curriculum development around environmental justice and climate change. In particular, how our environmental changes impact black and brown youth and families.
Jamison also attends McKinley Technology High School in N.E., D.C., as a part of the NAF Biotechnology Academy. Jamison would like to use their scientific literacy from the academy to pursue a career as an OBGYN and or fetal surgeon in hopes of transforming maternal healthcare for marginalized individuals.
We all look forward to learning from Jamison as a current STEM student and equity advocate!
Public Policy Keynote, April 10
Dr. Amy Loyd
Assistant Secretary of OCTAE
US Department of Education
Amy Loyd, Ed.L.D., is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, she oversees national programs related to career and technical education, community colleges, adult education and literacy, and correctional education.
Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Dr. Loyd was a Vice President at Jobs for the Future (JFF), where she designed and led programs across the United States that improve education and workforce outcomes. Her work at JFF focused on state and regional policies, practices, and cross-sector partnerships that engaged K-12 education, community colleges, adult education, workforce development, economic development, and employers to build systems of college and career pathways, leveraging career and technical education. She also oversaw JFF’s work in workforce development with a lens on economic advancement; state and Federal policy; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She previously was the Director of Education at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, leading a network of schools providing culturally responsive education, training, and wraparound services to the Alaska Native and Native American communities.
Dr. Loyd attended Santa Fe Community College and Northern New Mexico Community College, and holds a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s College and a doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she was an adjunct lecturer on building career pathways to increase opportunity and equity.
Future Focused Keynote, April 11
Cory Lancaster
Cory Lancaster is a technologist at the intersection of product and policy with over a decade of experience studying software, features, models, and tools.
Currently, Cory serves as a Global Product Development Public Policy Lead at Tik Tok. Previously, she served as a Product Policy and Strategy Manager at Instagram. Prior to working at Instagram, Cory was a public relations consultant and web developer to dozens of social impact entrepreneurs and businesses through owning her own company and operating as the Chief Technology Officer of an accelerator for entrepreneurs.
