Jenn Vranek

Jenn Vranek founded Education First in 2006 to build a mission-driven organization of the most trusted and effective education policy consultants in the nation. Jenn has worked with K12 and postsecondary educators, policymakers and philanthropists in more than 30 states....
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Susan Bodary

Susan Bodary has advised governors, commissioners and education, business and legislative leaders in nearly 25 states to develop and enact policies to ensure every child can engage in the high quality education that best suits her needs. Leaning in to...
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Kelly James

Kelly provides strategy and capacity support to philanthropists, advocates and state education leaders as the firm’s leading expert in strategic planning. As an expert in college and career readiness, social and emotional learning, education advocacy and grantmaking effectiveness, she supports...
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John Luczak

John is a leading expert on teacher evaluation, leadership and preparation reforms. He has worked closely with district and state reform, union, and management groups to build these new systems and help overcome implementation challenges. He also led projects to...
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Bill Porter

Over his career, Bill has served as an adviser to CEOs, governors, grantmakers and community leaders, helping them identify opportunities and clarify strategic choices for increasing their impact in the education sector. He joined Education First as a partner in...
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Ila Deshmukh Towery

Ila leads with an equity lens on a range of issues including equity in measurement and assessment, anti-racist whole child development, college and career readiness and innovative and equitable learning environments. A first-generation American and woman of color, Ila is...
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Bill Horwath

Bill Horwath provides K12 education strategy and policy consulting support to various local, state and national clients. A leader of the Outstanding Educators practice area, Bill’s expertise is teacher and leader effectiveness. Currently, Bill is helping school districts in Chicago,...
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Toshie Davis

Toshie Davis is Education First’s Chief Operating Officer.  She has extensive strategic and financial planning experience combined with a strong track record in operations management for both commercial and nonprofit organizations.  Toshie transitioned from traditional corporate finance to nonprofit management...
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