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.
Clearwater Beach Event 2026
Summer 2026 Featured Presenters
Presenter Highlights
As a former National Education Strategist at two tech companies, Director of Choice Schools in Metro Nashville and in Brevard County, Florida she holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Warnock served 24 years in public education and previously held positions as Race to the Top Project Director, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director. She has written and managed 40 million dollars’ worth of grants and worked with a diverse set of stakeholders. In 2026, Cari founded CBW K12 Advisors to fractionally support Charter Management Organizations, Magnet Schools, Independent Schools and Micro-Schools and consulting and advising Ed Tech companies on products, solutions, and revenue generation. She is currently supporting a CMO with 27 sites in 5 states, an ed tech start-up, an experience education company seeking to pivot, and she is referral partner for several emerging tech companies.
Cari Warnock
Session Theme:
Smarter Procurement on a Lean Budget
Nicco LoCascio is the Founder and CEO of Purpose Works Consulting Group, where he partners with organizations to strengthen programs serving youth, families, and communities. With over eight years of experience across the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, Nicco is known for combining frontline experience with strategic leadership to help organizations improve outcomes and build stronger teams. His work focuses on leadership development, program effectiveness, and strengthening systems that support youth success.
Nicco LoCascio
Session Theme:
Future-Ready Classroom: Connecting Curriculum, AI, and the Workforce
Deanne Audette serves as the Program Advisor and Mentor Coordinator for the Take Stock in Children program in Polk County. Deanne’s journey and passion for education began as a nanny and preschool teacher before transitioning to her current role serving high school students. She is passionate about helping students build confidence, achieve their goals, and discover their potential through education and mentorship. Deanne is a native Lakelander, alumni of George Jenkins High School (Class of 2008) and earned a Bachelor’s in Education Sciences from the University of Florida in 2024. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her family, three year old son, and many animals; and enjoys crafting, farmer’s markets, reading and antiquing with her sister.
Deanne Audette
Session Theme:
How Mentoring Changes Lives
Kelly DeAngelis-Tyre
Kelly DeAngelis-Tyre, M.Ed., is a veteran educator with more than 20 years of experience in public education, including roles as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, instructional trainer and coach, and exceptional student education teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, with certification from age 3 through Grade 3, and a Master of Education in Reading K–12. She also holds Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K–12 certification and an ESOL endorsement. Kelly has extensive experience supporting diverse learners, including students with disabilities and students who benefit from individualized and multisensory instruction. Kelly is the founder of Education Empowered Learning Studio in Lakeland, Florida, an alternative learning program designed to provide families with flexible educational options beyond the traditional classroom. Through small-group learning, individualized instruction, homeschool support, enrichment, and private teaching, the studio serves students with a wide range of academic and learning needs. Her work focuses on creating educational environments that recognize that students do not all learn in the same way, at the same pace, or in the same setting. Drawing on her experience in both traditional public education and alternative education, Kelly is passionate about expanding meaningful educational choices and helping families find learning options that meet the individual needs of their children.
Session Theme:
Rethinking the Classroom: Building Flexible Learning Options
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.
Julian Robinson
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.
Kevin Robinson is a highly accomplished K–12 educational leader with more than 30 years of experience leading school, district, and international educational systems and driving large-scale organizational transformation. A former teacher, principal, regional director, and district assistant superintendent, he has led strategic initiatives across school operations, safety, facilities, transportation, finance, human resources, student activities, and instructional leadership. Kevin has extensive experience developing and implementing strategic plans, using data and performance analytics to improve outcomes, building high-performing leadership teams, and aligning systems and resources to organizational priorities. His leadership experience includes overseeing operations for 115 K–12 public schools in Abu Dhabi, managing a school facilities bond programs, developing school safety improvement initiatives, and advancing data-driven systems designed to create safer, more effective, and student-centered learning environments.
Kevin Robinson
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.
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.
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.
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.
Commissioner - Ashley Troutman
Commissioner, District C Southwest (2026–2029)
Ashley C. Troutman is a lifelong Lakeland resident, community leader, and financial professional with nearly 20 years of experience. He is the Founder and Principal of Guided Financial Planning, specializing in retirement planning and wealth management.
A graduate of Polk State College and the University of South Florida, Ashley holds FIC and CLU professional designations. He is also a published poet and public speaker.
Dedicated to community service, Ashley serves as Chairman of Lighthouse Ministries and a Trustee at Polk State College. He is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class 27 and Leadership Polk Class 12 and remains actively involved in local community initiatives.