Dr. Dennis L. Carpenter has worked in the education field for more than two decades, most recently as a superintendent. Some of his many accomplishments include achieving Missouri’s highest annual performance score for improvement in underserved student performance, as well as spearheading the implementation of the equity-focused "Innovation Track Program" which enabled students to earn low or no cost college credits in partnership with the local community college. He has also worked to create a free full day pre-K program, expanded before and after school programs, improved teacher salaries and tripled fundraising efforts for student scholarships and teacher grants. Carpenter is a #TripleEagle, earning his bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, educational specialist and educational doctorate in educational leadership from Georgia Southern, as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership from Augusta State University. Some of his awards include the Georgia Southern Minority Leadership award and the Phi Beta Sigma Educator of the Year award. Dr. Carpenter is married to Dr. LaQuanda Carpenter and they have two young children, Landen Drake and Layla Dee. The family lives in North Augusta, South Carolina.

Dr. Anthony Lewis is from Talladega, Alabama. He is married to Tiffany and they are the proud parents of six children. Dr. Lewis received a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education degree in Special Education and a degree in Educational Leadership from Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama). He also was selected and completed the Instructional Leadership Academy with Samford University (Birmingham, Alabama). Dr. Lewis received his Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri (Columbia, Missouri).

After serving as Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent in Southeast, Michigan, Dr. Shivers joined the state’s superintendent association in July to provide robust mentorship, partnership and professional growth opportunities for school leaders across the state. Dr. Shivers’ key areas of expertise and professional accomplishments are; curriculum and instruction, program development and alignment, program evaluation and opening innovative school programs. She has led key initiatives in the areas of school change, cultural proficiency, equity, social justice, adolescent literacy, writing, mathematics, STEM, instructional technology and school leadership.

In September 2014, Dr. Shivers received the S.L. Roberson Community Leadership Award, the highest award the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office bestows on a civilian. She was chosen for the honor because of her work in helping to develop and train over 4,000 staff in active shooter/threat procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. In 2018, Dr. Shivers received the Redford Community Foundation Service Award and in 2019, Dr. Shivers was named to Michigan’s Crain Notable Women in Educational Leadership.

Sarena received her B.S. from Morgan State University, Masters from Ball State University in Indiana and Doctoral Degree from Indiana University, Bloomington. She has four children and currently resides in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Shelly L. Reggiani, Ed. D., has over 25 distinguished years in public education, the past eight years as the Executive Director of Equity and Instructional Services for the North Clackamas School District (NCSD). This south suburban Portland district consists of 33 schools serving 17,327 students. There are more than 60 native languages spoken by students and families in the district, and the community is growing in its racial and cultural diversity.

Shelly consistently works for inclusion and to remove barriers for historically marginalized student populations. Shelly directs and supports district advocacy programs for studnets, all federal Title programs, and equity professional development within NCSD.

Shelly earned her bachelor's and Masters from Oregon State University and her Educational Doctorate from George Fox University. In February Shelly was recognized as the National winner of the 2020 Women in School Leadership Award.

Andy brings an eclectic wealth of life experience to ThoughtExchange. He has worked as a development consultant, youth worker, teacher, international humanitarian aid worker, personal fitness trainer, professional musician, and pastor. Andy is committed to helping people achieve their goals, to seeing people thrive, and to building community along the way. Andy is one part empathy, one part tenacity, and one part faith. He believes that all things are possible, especially the things that seem impossible. Andy loves outdoor adventures, music, sports, and serving at his church. He lives in Penticton, BC with his wife Andrea, and their two children.