FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chiefs for Change Welcomes New Leaders to its National Network
Washington, D.C. — August 27, 2024 — Chiefs for Change, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing education policies and practices that make a difference for all students, is proud to announce the addition of four distinguished superintendents to its network. The new members are Whitney Oakley of Guilford County Schools, Jermall Wright of Little Rock School District, Mary Skipper of Boston Public Schools, and Tony Watlington of The School District of Philadelphia. With this addition, Chiefs for Change now represents 57 members across 22 states, collectively serving over 7 million students.
“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional leaders to our network,” said Robert Runcie, chief executive officer of Chiefs for Change. “Each brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to equity and a track record of innovation in education. They have demonstrated the ability to drive meaningful change in their district, and we look forward to their contributions to our collaborative efforts to ensure every student receives a high-quality education.”
Dr. Whitney Oakley is the fifth superintendent of Guilford County Schools, serving more than 68,000 PK-12 students and 10,000 employees at 124 schools. As the district’s first homegrown superintendent, she has a long history with GCS, from being a student to various leadership roles. With over 20 years in education, Dr. Oakley has held positions such as teacher, principal, executive director of elementary curriculum, assistant superintendent, chief academic officer, and deputy superintendent. Her notable achievements include developing the district’s instructional framework, leading job-embedded professional learning for teachers, and spearheading a school re-entry plan following COVID-19 closures. Under her leadership, GCS removed its low-performing district designation, secured significant grant funding, and achieved high national school rankings. Dr. Oakley holds a Bachelor of Science in special education from East Carolina University, a Master of Education in elementary education from Greensboro College, a Specialist in Education, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Mary Skipper, superintendent of Boston Public Schools, oversees a district serving approximately 54,000 students. With over 25 years in education, she previously led Somerville Public Schools and served as a network superintendent of high schools at BPS. Her tenure at BPS saw improvements in dropout and graduation rates and the founding of TechBoston Academy. In Somerville, she focused on equity, student-centered learning, and innovative educational practices. Superintendent Skipper holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Latin, a Master’s degree in Classics from Tufts University, a Master’s in Education Policy from Harvard, and a Master’s in Education Leadership from Columbia Teachers College.
Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr. was appointed superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia in 2022, leading nearly 200,000 students in the nation’s 8th largest district. Known for his collaborative and results-oriented approach, Dr. Watlington initiated a comprehensive Entry Plan and strategic planning process aimed at rapid district improvement. Under his leadership, Philadelphia outperformed other large urban districts in math and reading recovery post-COVID. Dr. Watlington has extensive educational leadership experience, having previously served in various administrative roles emphasizing data-driven strategies and community engagement. He earned his bachelor’s in History Education from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s in American political history from Ohio State University, a master’s in School Administration, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (where he was an NC Principal Fellow). He also holds training certificates from Harvard and Yale Universities and is a member of the National Urban Superintendent’s Academy, sponsored by Howard University and the American Association of School Administrators.
Dr. Jermall Wright, the Little Rock School District superintendent since July 2022, leads a district with 21,000 students. With nearly three decades of experience in public education, he is known for his strategic leadership and dedication to equity. Dr. Wright’s career began as a classroom teacher in Florida, progressing to administrative roles, including principal and chief academic officer positions. His efforts in school improvement have led to significant gains, such as double-digit increases in graduation rates and restored accreditation in previous districts. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Secondary Education and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida, a Specialist degree in Special Education from the University of Florida, and a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership for Educational Equity from the University of Colorado Denver.
Chiefs for Change looks forward to the insights and leadership these new members will bring to the network. Their addition is a testament to their outstanding leadership and dedication to student success, and together, they will work to advance policies and practices that ensure all students are served well. To learn more about our members, visit our website at chiefsforchange.org.
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About Chiefs for Change
Chiefs for Change is a nonprofit, nonpartisan network of diverse state and district education chiefs dedicated to preparing all students for today’s and tomorrow’s world through deeply committed leadership. Chiefs for Change advocates for policies and practices that make a difference for students and advance next-generation leadership among chiefs and their teams. For more information, visit chiefsforchange.org.
