The Kami Advisory Group was created to share insight and advice on leadership. Each member was chosen for their experience, significant impact on students, and admiration in the community.

MaryEllen Elia is the president of the University of the State of New York (USNY) and former New York State Commissioner of Education. Before her appointment in New York, Elia served for a decade as the superintendent of Hillsborough County, Florida.

Dr. Alicia Thompson is the former superintendent of Kansas’ largest school district (WPS) and an educator at Wichita Public School for 31 years. Her honors include a Leadership in Diversity Award and a Martin Luther King Education Award. She’s recognized for building career pathways from kindergarten to post-secondary education.

Mike Poore is the former superintendent of the Little Rock School District (LRSD) and Bentonville Public Schools in Arkansas, and the Sheridan School District in Colorado. He’s recognized for improving post-secondary options for underserved students and obtaining a Ford NGL designation for Central Arkansas academies.

Dr. Michael Hinojosa is the superintendent in residence for the Council of Great City Schools. He oversaw six public education systems as superintendent and founded the Together Network for Transformation (TNT) and the Michael Casterly Institute for Aspiring Superintendents.

Dwight Jones is the president of Education Practice and Policy Partners. He served as Denver Public Schools and Clark County School District superintendent and the senior vice president of equity, inclusion, and urban markets at McGraw-Hill Education.