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< Back Ian Saltzman Senior Associate Dr. Ian Saltzman is a career educator with over 35 years experience serving public education. Currently he is superintendent of Everett Public Schools in Everett, Washington. Before joining Everett in 2019, he served for 30 years in the Palm Beach County School District in Florida where he was a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Ian’s passion is serving students from all backgrounds to learn and achieve results in all academia with a focus on special education and multilingual learning. Documented student achievement is evident throughout his career and is his highest priority, which has also earned him multiple Principal of the Year awards. Beyond his work in schools, Ian currently serves on Chiefs for Change, as well as the board of directors of Washington Alliance for Better Schools, YMCA Snohomish County, and United Way of Snohomish County. In 2020 he was named as one of 24 superintendents nationwide as an NSPRA Superintendent to Watch. Saltzman holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Special Education from Florida State University, a Specialist’s Degree and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

< Back Maria Suttmeier Senior Associate Dr. Maria Lagana Suttmeier has been a public educator in New York for over 30 years. She served as the Superintendent of Schools of the Hudson City School District for a decade. Prior to this leadership appointment, she served as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and was a Building Administrator for Hudson’s Middle School. Besides her leadership experience, she has served in elementary classrooms and has experience managing entitlement grants along with competitive grants such as Title V, McKinney-Vento, 21 st Century Afterschool and My Brother’s Keeper. Maria received her doctorate from The Sage Colleges Esteves School of Education and is a graduate of the College of St. Rose with a BS degree in Elementary Education and an MS degree in Reading. During her tenure as an educator, Maria co-founded a not-for-profit, Investments in Youth, the popular Hudson Children’s Book Festival and The Bridge alternative high school. She was one of the early founders of the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, served as Chairperson of the CASDA Executive Committee, Chairperson of Questar’s Academics Program Subcommittee and served on the Boards of Dollars for Scholars and the Columbia Economic Development Corporation. Maria continues to contribute to the field of education through her dedicated service as an Executive Coach for school leaders and doctoral candidates and remains passionate about developing and improving school cultures.

< Back Paul Rasmussen Associate Dr. Paul Rasmussen has served the education field for more than 25 years as a distinguished teacher and administrator. For the past 12 years, Paul has held a district-wide position leading systemic initiatives that have resulted in improved mathematics teaching and learning, and increased the capacity of building-level leaders to use data to drive instructional improvements. Beyond his work at the district level, Paul leverages his statistical expertise as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego and Sacred Heart University teaching courses geared to school administrators who desire to learn strategies to effectively use data to drive instructional and system-wide improvements, with a focus on equity for all learners. Paul’s passion for using data to drive instructional improvement has illustrated how focused strategies of professionals can lead to improved learning for all students in the classroom. Paul earned his BA in Physics and Mathematics Education from Western Washington University, a MS in Mathematics from Fairfield University, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Educational Technology from the University of Phoenix.

< Back Michael O'Guin Senior Associate Dr. Michael J. O’Guin, Sr. is a professional educator with over twenty years of experience in the field of education. Thirteen of those years have been in instructional leadership positions with three of those years in the role of Superintendent of schools. Dr. O’Guin has served in other prominent roles as an educator. He served as a classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, assistant principal, principal, deputy academic officer, and chief academic officer as well. He has dedicated his career to positively impacting the lives of others and the advancement of education in diverse communities. Michael is passionate about creating systems to serve all students to ensure opportunities for them to be academically, emotionally, and behaviorally successful. He has tirelessly worked to foster a growth mindset for all, improve student outcomes, enrich the student experience, while building bridges among teachers and professional staff, and embrace parent and community involvement. O’Guin has mentored, coached, and developed many current and future leaders in the field of education while serving in his leadership roles. He is currently in the process of becoming a certified John Maxwell leadership coach. He has served as an adjunct professor at Texas Southern University and St. Thomas University (Houston, TX). Dr. O’Guin received his undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University and his masters and doctorate degree from Texas Southern University.

< Back Lori McEwen Associate Dr. Lori McEwen is a change agent committed to the belief that all students can learn deeply and joyfully. Over the span of her career, Lori has held roles including Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Chief of Instruction, Leadership, and Equity for the Providence Public School Department, and Director of Academics for Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy, a network of intentionally diverse charter schools in Rhode Island. In those capacities, Lori led the creation of three personalized, mastery-based high schools, oversaw curriculum development and instructional initiatives, developed a USDOE grant-funded principal pipeline, established principal and teacher leadership opportunities, and crafted policy. McEwen currently serves as a consultant to school districts across the country, supporting strategic planning and implementation for student-centered, equity-focused change. In addition, she teaches graduate courses in Instructional Leadership at Boston College. Some of Lori’s past achievements include selection as a Distinguished Fellow with the Students at the Center Research Collaborative and service as an elected school board member in East Greenwich, RI. Lori received her BA in Secondary Education and English from Boston College, her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts, and her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Boston College.

< Back Liam Goldrick Strategic Partner With more than 25 years of experience in education policy and communications, Liam has developed expertise in strategic messaging, crisis communications, community engagement, and public policy and advocacy. As a Donovan Group partner since 2019, Liam currently specializes in communications, public relations, and strategic support for public schools, school districts, and education organizations nationwide. Before joining the Donovan Group, Liam served as policy director for the New Teacher Center, a national nonprofit committed to building a resilient, modern educator workforce. He previously served as education policy advisor to Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, as senior education policy analyst at the National Governors Association, and as executive assistant to the Vermont State Auditor. Earlier in his career, he worked in Vermont politics. Liam graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College in 1993 and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 1995.

< Back Michael Brownstein Associate Over the last 25 years, Michael Brownstein has championed educational excellence, organizational growth, and fairness in education. He has held senior leadership roles at educational nonprofits like Virtual Enterprises International and Year Up, dedicated to improving educational outcomes and strategic development. Michael has led initiatives that significantly enhanced curriculum development, instructional quality, and organizational effectiveness. He also has forged vital partnerships between education programs and industries, empowering youth (ages 16-24) with in-demand workplace skills. Michael believes that strategic planning, strong leadership, and robust partnerships are essential for driving success in education. Known for his ability to facilitate difficult conversations constructively, Michael helps stakeholders tackle challenges directly, fostering open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving to reduce educational disparities and promote equitable opportunities for all students. Michael holds an Ed.M. from Teachers College, Columbia University, an M.B.A. from Syracuse University, and a B.A. from Kenyon College. His community involvement includes serving on advisory boards such as the Police Civilian Advisory Board Study Group, and the Boston Day & Evening Academy, underscoring his commitment to educational excellence and fairness.

< Back Kim Marshall Associate Kim Marshall, a former Boston Public Schools teacher, principal, and central-office curriculum director, now coaches principals, gives workshops and courses on school leadership, and consults with school districts, often on rethinking teacher supervision and evaluation and curriculum unit design. He publishes the weekly Marshall Memo.

< Back Ed Finney Associate Ed Finney is an experienced educator with a passion for technology integration. With 25 years of social studies teaching experience, Ed has spent the past three years as the District Technology Integration Specialist for his district. His expertise has earned him recognition as the New York Gilder Lehrman Teacher of the Year, a top ten finalist for National History Teacher of the Year, and the New York State Council for the Social Studies Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2020. Renowned for his engaging presentations, Ed is a sought-after speaker at national, state, and county conferences, where he shares practical strategies and innovative approaches to enhance student learning and engagement through technology. He also provides content-specific professional development and guidance on rolling out and integrating technology, with a focus on district-wide platforms like an LMS. Ed is experienced in technology program reviews, ensuring districts get the most out of their technology library and eliminating redundancy. Beyond the classroom, he has consulted with numerous companies and authors, offering insights into the future of educational technology. Ed also serves as the Director of Technology for the New York State Council for the Social Studies (NYSCSS) and holds numerous certifications. He is a certified K-12 educator who actively collaborates with college teacher preparation programs, mentoring the next generation of educators and preparing them to leverage technology effectively in their teaching

< Back Paul Castro Senior Associate Paul Castro is an advocate for merging the art and science of leadership through impactful learning and coaching. With a 29-year career, Paul has demonstrated his commitment to education in various roles. He served as both a teacher and principal within a traditional school system, provided management and coaching within a nationwide charter system, coached district and school leaders through a non-profit organization, and orchestrated the design and launch of an inner-city Houston charter school focused on delivering a premium education without cost barriers. Paul's skill as an executive leadership coach for the KIPP Foundation stands out, as he assisted leaders across the United States in crafting comprehensive school launch plans and refining their management and leadership proficiencies. At Houston A+ Challenge, he developed tailored content for various school districts in the Houston region, catering to the unique needs of each client. Paul knows that effective educational leadership necessitates personal growth and adept interpersonal skills, which is why he focuses on nurturing the soft skills that elevate managers into true leaders. Throughout his career, Paul has studied classroom instructional and assessment practices. His expertise has led him to be a presenter on classroom practices and secured his appointment as a commissioner for the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability, selected by the state's Lieutenant Governor in 2016. As a seasoned startup leader, Paul has undertaken pivotal roles in launching schools. He served as an associate dean for the opening of a high school, was selected to be the founding principal role for a middle school in Houston ISD, and orchestrated the conception and launch of a charter school as both founder and superintendent. During his tenure at KIPP Houston, he effectively managed and guided two founders in successfully opening new high schools. In 2013, he led a team to design a free public charter school in Houston, earning approval by the state board of education and the state education agency. Paul's contributions have garnered substantial recognition and support for his charter school endeavors. His school secured funding from esteemed organizations such as the Walton Family Foundation, NewSchools Venture Fund, The Brown Foundation, and the Elkins Family Foundation. These backers acknowledge the importance of fostering inclusive and empowering school cultures, a vision that Paul has realized through his efforts at A+UP. Educationally, Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. He further honed his expertise through completion of the KIPP School Leadership Program in New York, a milestone that led to his selection as a member of the Fisher Foundation Selection Committee.

< Back Dan Rector Associate Dr. Dan Rector is an emergency management, homeland security professional, and a military veteran with a passion for improving school safety by helping them become “future-ready.” Dan’s career has been built on a foundation of military structure and discipline within a framework of agile and adaptable business practices, layered with academic research and analysis to provide organizations with a unique perspective on preparing for the future. Dan is the former Director of Training and Education for The “I Love U Guys” Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on school safety. He specializes in reunification training and building structured exercise programs. He has worked as a consultant for private businesses and the federal government as an exercise designer and facilitator.Dan served as a Damage Control Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and as a Survey Team Chief on a National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team. While serving in the military and attending the CBRN Advanced Leaders Course, and the first and only National Guard soldier to be selected by his peers to receive the Leadership Award while simultaneously earning the Distinguished Honor Graduate Award. Dan is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), a licensed HAZMAT Technician, a Confined Space Rescue Technician, and EMT-B. He has completed the FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP), where for his capstone, he developed and facilitated a functional reunification exercise for a school district in Connecticut. He is a graduate of training programs from the Defense Nuclear Weapons School, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the U.S. Army’s Chemical/Biological Weapons Center, and the Idaho National Laboratory. Dan received his Doctor of Management degree with a focus on Homeland Security in 2023.

< Back James Venhaus Associate James Venhaus brings more than 25 years of experience as an arts educator and administrator in K–12 independent schools. He currently serves as the Director of Fine and Performing Arts at Savannah Country Day School, where he leads a team of 13 educators across visual and performing arts disciplines. Prior to that, he served as Director of Arts at Flint Hill School in Virginia, overseeing a comprehensive arts curriculum and championing cross-divisional collaboration. James is a passionate advocate for arts integration, believing that the arts are not only essential to a well-rounded education but can also serve as a defining element of a school’s identity and brand. His work emphasizes the role of the arts in building community, enhancing student engagement, and helping schools distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive educational landscape. James holds a BFA in Theatre from Southwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Austin College. In addition to his work in education, he is an accomplished playwright and published author, bringing creative insight and storytelling expertise to every school he partners with.