Shifting from Agents of Compliance to Architects of Equity

Cheryl Hibbeln is the Founder and President of IlluminatED Collective, a group of transformative educational consultants who partner with business, nonprofit, higher education and school districts to support strategic planning and change management in service of equitable outcomes for all. Cheryl spent over twenty years in the San Diego Unified School District where, as a principal, she was part of the successful transformation of a large urban high school into four award winning small schools, and as an executive director she designed efforts to align the district graduation requirements to University of California entry requirements, expanded the dual enrollment program, and redesigned secondary master schedule efforts. Cheryl also built impactful partnerships with business/industry, philanthropic, higher education, nonprofit and cross-district leaders to design transformative experiences for students across San Diego. Cheryl is one of CCASN’s Collaborative Leadership Partners.

Dr. Lori Rhodes is an Associate Superintendent with Stamford Public Schools in Connecticut. In her current work as a district administrator, she focuses on cross-cultural community engagement and innovative educational opportunities to provide access and opportunity for all students. Starting her career in Los Angeles almost three decades ago through Teach for America, Lori has served as an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, a school site secondary administrator, and a bilingual Spanish teacher. Her areas of expertise include teaching Multilingual Learners, using data and assessments to increase student achievement, improving school culture, and developing instructional and administrative leaders in schools. Lori continues to collaborate with administrators, teachers, and community leaders to ensure equitable educational opportunities by helping to create a supportive culture that fosters a sense of belonging for all students, parents, and teachers.