We speak with experts across industries to see how their perspectives can inform our pursuit of a high-quality education for all students. We are passionate about all students having access to a great education and quality is a driving force behind our work.
In an era where parents can customize their child’s education, this question is more important than ever.
During each session we will hear from leaders in education, technology, business, sports, and the arts. We hope to apply their insights to our pursuit of quality in the field of K-12 education.
Shaka and Caitlin guide the audience on a journey to better serve our children and pursue high-quality education for all. We will highlight the knowledge, expertise, and experience of our guests through interviews, then discuss and break down the concepts shared.
Caitlin Sienkiewicz is an experienced educator with a background in classroom teaching, policy advice, and advocacy. Transitioning from the classroom to roles at the U.S. Department of Education and the Center for Education Reform, Caitlin has honed her skills in policy analysis and education innovation and creativity. As the founder of Condie Consulting, she leverages her diverse experiences to develop and execute solutions that empower students, families, schools, and communities to achieve their highest potential. In addition to her consulting work, Caitlin started Education MeetUPs, dynamic gatherings designed to expand networks, gain diverse perspectives, and collectively address challenges within many different sectors, education being one of them. Through these discussions, she leads participants in sharing experiences, offering insights, and provides constructive feedback, fostering meaningful connections and collaborative problem-solving efforts aimed at driving positive change in education. Based in Chicago with her husband, Caitlin is also an author, with her new book publishing in 2024, "Building Your Team in Your 20s... or 30s, 40s, and 50s."
Shaka Mitchell serves as a Senior Fellow for the American Federation for Children. He brings experience from several high-performing charter school networks, including Rocketship Education and LEAD Public schools, that serve over 2,500 students in Nashville. Shaka began his career in education as the Associate Director of Policy and Planning at the D.C.-based Center for Education Reform. He then led outreach efforts at the Institute for Justice, a constitutional law firm based in Arlington, VA. He is an alumnus of Belmont University where he teaches American Government and Constitutional Law as an adjunct faculty member. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Wake Forest University School of Law where he sits on the Board of Advisors for the Journal of Law and Policy. Shaka is a co-founder of MoreMarrowDonors.org, a non-profit committed to providing scholarships to bone marrow donors who are matches for patients with various blood diseases. Shaka is the past-Chair of the Tennessee State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He is a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Leadership Network and Aspen Institute’s Civil Society Fellowship. Shaka and his wife Stephanie are members of Edgefield Church in Nashville and are active in several non-profit organizations.
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