Strategic Data Project Convening 2025: Full Schedule

At every Convening we celebrate the power of data, but this year we’re tackling the big question: Now What?

How do we transform technological breakthroughs into lasting impact? How do we innovate responsibly while staying ethical? What emerging trends will shape the future, and how do we stay ahead?

Join us as we move beyond possibilities and into the work that truly drives change.

8:00am EDT

Breakfast

Thursday May 8, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Ballroom A & B

Fuel up for the day ahead! Join us for a light breakfast and casual networking before we dive into Convening.

This is your chance to connect with peers, grab a coffee, and get energized for an exciting day of learning and collaboration.

Thursday May 8, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Ballroom A & B

Reception & Dining

9:00am EDT

Welcome to SDP Convening 2025: Now What?

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:00am - 9:15am EDT

Ballroom A & B

Kick off SDP Convening 2025 with a welcome from SDP’s Senior Director, Miriam Greenberg.

As we dive into this year’s theme—"Now What?"—we’ll set the stage for two days of thought-provoking discussions, collaboration, and action.

Get ready to explore how we turn insights into impact and navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Welcome to Boston and to SDP Convening 2025!

Speakers

Miriam Greenberg

SDP Director, Strategic Data Project

Miriam is the Director of the Strategic Data Project overseeing the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University's efforts to build and sustain data-driven leadership and research capacity in education systems and organizations. She provides direction and support for... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
Ballroom A & B

General Session

9:15am EDT

Plenary Session 1: The State and Future of Federal Education Policy

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am EDT

Ballroom A & B

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the current state and future trajectory of federal education policy. Our panel of experts will explore key challenges and opportunities within the education landscape, examining how recent executive, legislative, and policy changes are shaping the sector. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the implications for schools, educators, and policymakers, and explore strategies for navigating and influencing the future of education policy.

Speakers

Sonja Santelises

Chief Executive Officer, Baltimore City Public Schools

Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises has spent close to 30 years focused on building high-quality teaching and learning to help students excel. She first came to City Schools as chief academic officer, serving in that role from 2010 to 2013. She returned to City Schools in July 2016 after... Read More →

Angela Minnici

Vice President, Institutional Development, WestEd

Angela Minnici currently holds the position of Vice President of Institutional Development, in which she formulates WestEd’s overall strategy and vision for growing a portfolio that supports children and adults from birth through workforce development, spanning research and evaluation... Read More →

Andy Rotherham

Co-Founder and Senior Partner, Bellwether

Andrew J. Rotherham is a co-founder and senior partner at Bellwether, a national nonprofit that exists to transform education to ensure systemically marginalized young people achieve outcomes that lead to fulfilling lives and flourishing communities. Rotherham leads external relations... Read More →

Derrell Bradford

President, 50CAN

Derrell Bradford is the president of 50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now. In his role, Derrell leads 50CAN’s SPARK work, and trains and recruits local leaders across the country to serve as executive directors of state CANs, advocacy fellows, and citizen advocates... Read More →

Christopher Minnich

President, NWEA at HMS

Chris Minnich is the president of NWEA, where he has led a transformation of the organization, expanding its portfolio to encompass services and assessment.Prior to that, Chris successfully served as the executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). He... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am EDT
Ballroom A & B

General Session

12:00pm EDT

Lunch

Thursday May 8, 2025 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT

Ballroom A & B

Take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch while connecting with fellow attendees. This is your time to recharge, reflect on the sessions so far, and network with others in the SDP community. Relax, enjoy your meal, and make the most of your lunch break to build new connections!

Thursday May 8, 2025 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT
Ballroom A & B

Reception & Dining

4:15pm EDT

Keynote Address: Finding Our Way in Uncertain Times

Thursday May 8, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT

Ballroom A & B

Our distinguished speaker will share insights on leveraging data-driven strategies and innovative research to inform and shape effective education policies. Discover how to adapt and thrive amid challenges, using evidence-based approaches to support educators, students, and policymakers in forging a path forward.

Speakers

David Troutman

Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Dr. David R. Troutman serves as the Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Data Analytics at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he directs strategic initiatives related to education and data management. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ballroom A & B

General Session

6:00pm EDT

Welcome Dinner: Convening 2025

Thursday May 8, 2025 6:00pm - 8:30pm EDT

Ballroom A & B

As a kickoff to our Convening event, we welcome you to a plated dinner and celebration of efforts and action from our SDP fellows and network.

Our staff, faculty, alumni, fellows, and supervisors will be reminded of the end goal and impact of our work--creating meaningful change and improving the lives of those we serve.

This evening promises to be filled with laughter, conversation, and inspiration as we reflect on our progress and create new possibilities for the future.

Entertainment provided by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra!

Join us as we celebrate our achievements and the power of being together.

Thursday May 8, 2025 6:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
Ballroom A & B

Reception & Dining

8:00am EDT

Breakfast

Friday May 9, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Ballroom A & B

Start your morning with a light breakfast and good company before diving into another full day of learning and connection.

It’s the perfect time to reflect on Day 1, meet new colleagues, and gear up for the exciting sessions ahead.

Grab some coffee, fuel up, and let’s get Day 2 started!

Friday May 9, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Ballroom A & B

Reception & Dining

9:00am EDT

Plenary Session 2: Showing Up for Showing Up, Addressing Chronic Absenteeism

Friday May 9, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Ballroom A & B

The panel aims to explore strategies and initiatives that can encourage regular attendance and address barriers that prevent students from attending school consistently. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring that students are present and engaged in their educational journey.

Speakers

Hedy Chang

Executive Director, Attendance Works

Hedy is the founder and executive director of the non-profit initiative, Attendance Works(www.attendanceworks.org) which promotes equal opportunities to learn and advances studentsuccess by reducing chronic absence. Founded in 2010, Attendance Works is the nation’s go-toresource... Read More →

Angélica Infante-Green

Commissioner of Education, Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)

Angélica Infante-Green has served as the Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education since April 29, 2019. As Commissioner, she has instituted several major efforts to improve PK-12 education across the state. Commissioner Infante-Green helped lead Rhode Island’s... Read More →

Christina Grant

Executive Director, Center for Education Policy Research

Dr. Christina Grant is the Executive Director for the Center for Education Policy at Harvard University. Throughout her career as an educator, administrator, and executive in some of America’s largest school systems, Dr. Grant has worked to create evidence-based solutions that improve... Read More →

Katie Jenner

Secretary of Education, Indiana Department of Education

As the state’s first Secretary of Education, Dr. Katie Jenner leads the Indiana Department of Education and chairs the State Board of Education with a learner-centered, future-focused vision. Under Dr. Jenner’s leadership, Indiana is focused on three key pillars: student learning... Read More →

Charlene Russell-Tucker

Commissioner, Connecticut State Department of Education

Charlene Russell-Tucker is the Deputy Commissioner of Education for theConnecticut State Department of Education, a role in which she overseeseducational supports and wellness priorities. Prior to her appointment asDeputy Commissioner in November 2019, she served as Chief Operating... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Ballroom A & B

General Session

12:00pm EDT

Lunch & Food for Thought

Friday May 9, 2025 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT

Ballroom A & B

Enjoy your lunch while getting a quick dose of inspiration!

Lunch & Food for Thought features two engaging, EdTalks from members of the SDP Network - giving you some intellectual nourishment while you rest and nourish your body.

During this session you'll hear from:

Hunter Gehlbach, Professor of Education at Johns Hopkins, on "Fostering Successful Relationships in Educational Settings."

Anjali Adukia, Assistant Professor at University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy & Director of the MiiE Lab on "Implementing Restorative Practices."

Grab your meal, settle in, and leave with fresh insights—without missing out on your downtime!

Speakers

Anjali Adukia

Assistant Professor & Director of the MiiE Lab, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy

Anjali Adukia is an assistant professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and the director of the MiiE Lab (Messages, Identity, and Inclusion in Education). In her work, she seeks to understand how children from all backgrounds can have opportunities to realize their potential. Adukia's work draws on large-scale data, often deriving data from previously unused and underused sources, including... Read More →

Hunter Gehlbach

Professor of Education, Johns Hopkins

SEL/Social & motivational aspects of schooling/Social perspective takingSurvey designEnvironmental educationOpen Science

Friday May 9, 2025 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT
Ballroom A & B

Reception & Dining

4:15pm EDT

Closing Remarks: What's Next?

Friday May 9, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT

Ballroom A & B

Join us in the closing session, "What's Next?" where you'll have the opportunity to synthesize key insights from the conference and outline your own next steps as you prepare to return to the work. As we wrap up "Now What," we'll equip you with the knowledge and perspective to transform today's ideas into tomorrow's improvements.

Speakers

Rebecca Marshall

Associate Director of Programs, SDP, Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard

Rebecca is the Associate Director of Programs for Strategic Data Project at the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University. In this role, she manages the Strategic Data Project Fellowship, which works with education agencies to find and train data leaders to... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ballroom A & B

General Session