Meet the Speakers

Prior to serving in this role, he was a Middle School Assistant Principal, High School Activities Director, teacher, and  an athletic coach with Mankato Area Public Schools. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for MN-Name and values all opportunities to share and continue his equity leadership journey.

The third edition of her book, Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice Education is used widely as a resource for readers to gain insight into perspectives other than their own and to enhance their skills with understanding, reflecting, and engaging in actionable change. Her passion for eliminating barriers drives her relentless commitment to support the voices of underserved demographics and to empower all others to effectively recognize and respond to inequities

She has an extensive career that includes positions as an elementary principal, middle school associate principal, head principal, and high school associate principal. At the district level, she served as the Coordinator of Secondary Instruction. Dr. Becquer has over 10 years of experience working with culturally proficient educational practices and the cultural proficiency framework. She has successfully supported the implementation of these practices in two school districts.

 His 20-year career in administration includes 17 years as a lead principal, where he developed expertise in school operations and academic excellence. Before moving into administration, Swenson began his educational journey as a science teacher, giving him a valuable classroom perspective that continues to inform his approach to district-wide leadership.

She was recently selected as the preferred candidate for the next superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools. Stacie has served in a variety of education roles including math teacher, school principal, director of curriculum, assessment and instruction & prior to serving as superintendent she served as the associate superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools. 

Dr. Stanley earned a doctorate degree from Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she researched the impact of intercultural development on K-6 administrative leadership practice.   She is a fierce advocate for creating safe spaces of belonging for students of color that allow them to know their worth and thrive.

Stacie is the Co-Author of Leading While Female: A Culturally Proficient Response for Gender Equity.  Dr. Stanley also served as a contributing author for the text Innovative Voices in Education: Engaging diverse communities. 

Dr. Stanley is a doctoral program adjunct faculty member and advisor at Bethel University in Minnesota.  Stacie lives in a multi-generational home with her husband and 95-year-old father, and enjoys being an empty nester, power walking, and spending time with their 5 grandchildren.  Follow Dr. Stanley on instagram @DrStacieStanley or LinkedIn Stacie Stanley, Ed.D.

Kate leads organizational & program advancement initiatives as well as outreach and marketing efforts. For ten years, Kate has collaborated across departments to implement evaluation & strategic initiatives that support AmeriCorps partnerships with middle and high schools. 

Salena's background in National Service began with three terms of service as an AmeriCorps member (VISTA and State/National) and has included roles within local and national AmeriCorps programs including managing VISTA programs at Easter Seals Central Texas and The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation and working in various staff roles with Playworks, City Year and Improve Your Tomorrow. Developing meaningful service opportunities that support people in igniting their passions and finding success, however they define it, is what drives her in this work. 

She teaches coursework related to literacy and educational research. Her scholarship centers on teacher education, race, and literacy. She has published more than twenty peer-reviewed articles, several book chapters, and regularly presents her work at national and international conferences.

Her work in teaching and research is to examine and disrupt historical inequities in access to space to learn and play.

He currently works as an outpatient therapist at The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation providing holistic, culturally congruent care to children and families in St. Paul. Michael is a featured storyteller in the award-winning spoken word play Wounded Healers written by Dr. Timothy Berry.

He is a Professor of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University, Mankato where his work centers on racial justice, the arts, and somatic healing from racialized body trauma. His play, Wounded Healers received 7 national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. 

Her last position was serving as the Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools. Recent work includes coaching school principals and superintendents, teaching, advising, and researching leadership and school district policies that impact students’ success across Minnesota. She has been a keynote speaker, panelist, and presenter.  She has also served on local and national Boards to promote education as a public good. Bernadeia received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and her undergraduate degree from Alabama A & M University.

Her recent work includes leadership teaching and research toward eliminating racial achievement disparities. She has been a keynote speaker, panelist, teacher, and presenter for various organizations and universities, including Columbia University, Georgetown Law Center, and the White House. Dr. Krull co-authored Principal Leadership for Racial Equity: A Field Guide for Developing Race Consciousness (2021) and was a contributing author to More Courageous Conversations: From Theory to Practice (2012). She teaches in the administrative licensure graduate program and coordinates the superintendent licensure program through the Department of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Twin Cities. She is the co-founder and facilitator of the Institute for Courageous Principal Leadership.

Dr. Rasmussen holds a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Minnesota, K-12 Principal, and Superintendent licenses, and has over 30 years of experience in education, ranging from a high school chemistry teacher to a building administrator in public and private schools. Dr. Rasmussen has received numerous awards for her work in education and has been recognized locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally for addressing predictable racial gaps in access and opportunity for students PreK-20.  Her research interests include the preparation of racially conscious K-12 administrators, racial equity in education, and transformational leadership as social justice.

 He previously taught at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, as well as a high school speech, debate, and English for 18 years in Texas, and continues to work with the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops. His interest areas include poetic inquiry, arts-based inquiry, undergraduate research, educational foundations, and social justice advocacy.

She is passionate about fostering culturally responsive practices and ensuring equitable opportunities for marginalized communities. Her work centers on creating sustainable, community-driven solutions that empower students and educators alike. 

She earned her degree from Bemidji State University and her Master of Arts degree in Reading from Hamline University.  Allie also sits on the Equity Committee in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights and Eagan School District. 

Holding an Education Specialist Degree in Administration (Pre-K-12), Dodson has been instrumental in driving educational excellence across various teaching and leadership positions.

He is honored to continue similar work at World Savvy, working closely with school districts to ensure students leave with the skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to thrive in our complex and evolving world.

Outside of work, Jonathan has served in various local youth organizations, and loves getting out and embracing all that the Minnesota seasons have to offer with his wife, daughters, and faithful dog Mac.

She brings her experience living and working in 6 different countries and serving students from Kindergarten through 12th grade as a teacher, coach and school administrator to her own lens of global competence. She is passionate about the impact of community and caregiver engagement in schools to create more equitable learning experiences, particularly for multilingual and neurodivergent learners.