Title: Executive director, ASCD
On the job: Since June 2014 after serving as deputy exec director and chief constituent services officer for 10 years.
Association: 125,000 members internationally, across all roles in education. ASCD publishes 40 professional development books annually; offers online and in-person professional development training; and participates in education policy advocacy.
Main initiative: The Whole Child, started by leaders in early childhood education and health after No Child Left Behind was enacted. Schools alone can’t meet the needs of the whole child, so programs focus on keeping children healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.
How members are recruited: The best recruitment is through happy, satisfied members. Social media is also being used to reach younger members.
Future programs: In the last five to six years, principals are coming in with fewer years of classroom or assistant principal experience. They’re being asked to take on a wider variety of roles with increased levels of responsibility, so ASCD is working on professional development materials to support principal leadership.
Biggest revenue generator: Balanced between membership, publishing and professional learning.
Public policy focus: Advocating for multiple measures, not just standardized tests, to determine an educator’s success.
Best lesson learned working in associations: Listen to members, get staff out in the field where members are working, and continue to ask what keeps them up at night.
Grew up: Westport, CT
Current home: Alexandria
Why DC: Came in 1973 for husband’s job with HUD.
Schools: Brandeis, Harvard and GMU Law School.
First job: Paid 10 cents a shelf to dust the books in parents' extensive home library.
Job in another life: Read stories to kindergartners all day.
Daily habit: Quilting.
Favorite author: Anne Tyler
Favorite movie: Selma was the best movie I’ve seen recently.
Favorite vacation spot: Bethany Beach
Bucket list: Visit Alaska and western China.
Family: Three adult children and six grandchildren. Of the three kids and their spouses, four are in education.
