Leading Educators welcomes Ann Blakeney Clark, Dr. Arun Ramanathan, and Jeff Kutash as board members

New board members bolster Leading Educators’ future-ready strategy

Chicago, Ill. (February 4, 2026) — Today, Leading Educators announced that Ann Blakeney Clark, Dr. Arun Ramanathan, and Jeff Kutash have joined its board of directors, strengthening the organization’s ability to help school systems and states meet rising demands for future-ready teaching and learning.

As districts navigate rapid change—from unfinished learning to evolving workforce expectations and technological advancement—Leading Educators is focused on helping systems strengthen instruction today while designing the innovations they will need tomorrow, grounded in one of the strongest records of proven impact in the field.

Preparing students for the future requires clear focus, a culture of practice, and coherent systems that help educators do deeply complex, human work,” said Chong-Hao Fu, CEO of Leading Educators. “Ann, Arun, and Jeff bring deep experience leading school systems, strengthening learning, and advancing innovation responsibly. Their leadership will help us accelerate results for students at a high-stakes inflection point while shaping what’s next for the field.”

Ann Blakeney Clark brings more than 25 years of experience in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where she served as superintendent after holding roles as principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as chief academic officer and deputy superintendent. During her tenure as chief academic officer, the district was recognized with the Broad Prize for Urban Education.

Clark currently serves as an executive leadership coach for superintendents and senior district leaders, bringing extensive experience in supporting instructional coherence and system-wide improvement.

She shares:

System leaders are being asked to prepare students for a future that is still taking shape. Leading Educators brings the discipline and evidence needed to help districts strengthen instruction today while building toward what’s next.”

Dr. Arun Ramanathan is a nationally recognized education leader at the intersection of instruction, systems, and technology. He is currently the CEO of PowerMyLearning, guiding their innovative AI-driven approach to transform mathematics education, including advances in mathematical discourse analysis.

Previously, Dr. Ramanathan served as CEO of Pivot Learning and CORE Learning, scaling their work on the Science of Reading nationally and as Executive Director of Education Trust–West. He also served as Chief Student Services Officer in the San Diego Unified School District, overseeing multiple departments, including special education. 

The future of teaching will be shaped by how well systems integrate technological innovation with proven instructional practices. Leading Educators is uniquely positioned to help districts do both,” said Dr. Ramanathan. “I look forward to supporting Leading Educators to expand our unique approach to many more school systems. 

Jeff Kutash is co-founder and managing partner of Boldly Go Philanthropy, where he advises families and foundations on strategy and impact. Previously, he served as executive director of the Peter Kiewit Foundation, leading place-based investments across education, economic opportunity, health, and quality of life. His career journey includes senior leadership roles at FSG and The SEED Foundation, as well as experience as a classroom educator through Teach For America.

Kutsah shares:

Leading Educators combines proven results with thoughtful experimentation. That balance is exactly what school systems need to ensure all students receive high-quality instruction. I am excited to join the Board and do all I can to support the organization’s success nationally and with our school district here in Omaha.”

Together, the new board members will help guide Leading Educators’ growth and evolution as it partners with systems nationwide to strengthen educator and leader capacity, cultivate high-performing instructional supports, and design future-ready approaches that endure. This year, the organization is influencing outcomes for approximately 389,000 students across 50 school systems and 639 schools.

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About Leading Educators

Leading Educators partners with school systems and states to build educator and leader capacity, ensuring that every student experiences relevant, knowledge-rich, and future-ready instruction with predictability.

The organization designs, tests, and embeds high-impact instructional supports—grounded in research from more than 21 ESSA-aligned studies that have demonstrated positive student outcomes—while piloting next-generation solutions to meet emerging needs across the field. Learn more at leadingeducators.org.

Media Contact:
Adan Garcia, Senior Director of Communications
[email protected]
(202) 510-0827