Presenter List
The 2026 National Education Summit will feature a dynamic group of educational leaders, innovators, and practitioners who bring deep expertise in technology, AI, equity, leadership, school culture, student achievement, and system transformation. These speakers will share practical insights and real-world strategies to help educators strengthen schools, support students, and lead meaningful change.
Presenter Highlights
Julian Robinson
Julian Robinson is Chief Technology Officer for Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, one of Georgia’s largest school districts. With 20+ years in educational technology leadership, he leads work in digital transformation, cybersecurity, AI, enterprise systems, and strategic planning to improve outcomes for schools and communities.
Session Theme:
From Fear to Framework: Leading Responsible AI Adoption in K-12 Schools
This session offers a practical framework for bringing AI into K-12 schools by building AI literacy before policy. Leaders will learn how to manage risk, set guardrails, build trust, engage stakeholders, and create sustainable strategies for teaching, learning, and operations.
Dr. Anita Jack-Davies
Dr. Anita Jack-Davies is an academic and international Management Consultant specializing in inclusive workplace cultures, employee engagement, and strategic planning, with leadership experience at Ethical Culture Fieldston School, R/GA, and Skidmore College.
Session Theme:
Culture as an Operating System: Aligning People, Processes, and Purpose for Sustainable School Improvement
This session explores culture as an operating system, showing education leaders how to align people, processes, and purpose. Attendees will learn strategies to build trust, reduce silos, preserve knowledge, and create systems that support belonging and operational excellence.
Dr. Melvin J. Brown
Dr. Melvin J. Brown is President and CEO of Soul Vision, LLC and Superintendent in Residence at Defined, LLC. A veteran K-12 leader, author, and consultant, he helps districts advance equity, leadership development, and career-connected learning for lifelong student success.
Session Theme:
Roaches in My Cereal: What Our Schools Reveal About Poverty, Power, and Who Gets Left Behind
This session draws from Melvin J. Brown’s memoir, Roaches in My Cereal, to challenge educators to better support students facing poverty and trauma through radical empathy, equity, belonging, culturally relevant resources, and systems that honor every child’s resilience.
Dr. Debbie Brockett
Dr. Debbie Brockett is a nationally recognized educational leader with more than 30 years of experience transforming instructional systems, advancing inclusive practices, and developing leaders across large and diverse school districts. A former special education teacher, superintendent, and regional executive leader, she has led major initiatives in equity, innovation, special education transformation, administrator development, Universal Design for Learning, and the ethical use of technology and AI to improve outcomes for all students.
Session Theme:
Leading Differentiated Systems in the Age of AI
This session explores how education leaders can move beyond traditional models to design differentiated systems that respond to individual student needs, using practical examples of AI-enabled supports, implementation guardrails, and strategies for overcoming adoption challenges.
Lashawn Whitmore-Sells
Lashawn Whitmore-Sells is Principal at Shoreham Elementary School and a seasoned educational leader with 20+ years advancing equity, inclusion, culturally responsive practices, and student-centered learning across Vermont, Burlington School District, and Burgundy Farm Country Day School.
Session Theme:
Ways to help today's students achieve academically and socially
This session explores practical ways to help today’s students achieve academically and socially by supporting their learning, well-being, engagement, and sense of belonging while equipping educators with strategies that meet students’ needs in today’s schools.
Stephanie Phillips
Stephanie Phillips is Senior Training and Technical Assistance Facilitator at the Education Development Center (EDC). A Vermont educator with 25 years of experience, she brings classroom, district, and state-level insight to helping schools improve instruction, strengthen collaboration, and support every learner.
Dr. Millicent Borishade
Dr. Millicent Borishade is an Educational Leader and Superintendent with nearly 30 years of experience improving urban public schools across Illinois, Washington, and Missouri. Her work centers on student achievement, equity, family engagement, and systems that help every learner succeed.
Domenic Giorgi
Domenic Giorgi is Superintendent of Education for the Toronto District School Board and a senior academic leader overseeing 26 K-12 schools. A former principal and recognized Canadian educator, he brings experience in school leadership, administrator training, and student success.
Dr. Betty Merchant
Dr. Betty Merchant is the Henrietta Frances Zezula Lowak Endowed Distinguished Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her work explores diversity, educational reform, policy analysis, democratic school leadership, and international comparative research in education.
Eric Keunne
Eric Keunne is a Public School Administrator with 20+ years of experience across K–12 education, higher education, teacher development, and school leadership. He brings a global perspective to advancing inclusive schools, educator well-being, and student success.