The Churn

Bill Hansen, former vice president at the Virginia State Board of Education, has joined the board of directors at the Defense of Freedom Institute.

Jay Greene, former senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, has joined the Defense of Freedom Institute as a senior fellow.

Jeanie Lee, former chief program officer at XQ Institute, is now PDK International’s chief executive officer.

Jenna Conway, current chief of early learning and specialized populations at the Virginia Department of Education, has been appointed as the next Virginia state superintendent of public instruction. Connor Andrews, director of state government relations at the University of Virginia, will be deputy secretary of education.

Kamar Samuels, veteran leader in the New York City public education system and most recently superintendent of District 3 in Manhattan, has been appointed NYC schools chancellor.

Nadja Young, previously senior director of SAS SLED (State, Local and Education Division), is now chief brand officer at MetaMetrics, Inc.

Amber Oliver, former managing director of the learning and technology fund at Robin Hood, is now senior advisor at Walton Family Foundation.

Dr. Zoë Stemm-Calderon, senior director of youth serving systems at the Raikes Foundation, will serve as executive director starting in January 2026.