The Churn

Morgan Polikoff, FutureEd research advisor and professor of education at the University of Southern California Rossier, has joined Arnold Ventures as K-12 research and policy fellow for the 2026-27 academic year.

Emily McCann, former senior vice president of state markets at Curriculum Associates, is now chief operating officer at Opportunity Capital. 

Jess Kostelnik, former senior policy advisor of higher education and workforce development to Governor Jared Polis, is now director of career pathways at Arnold Ventures. 

Sonali Nijhawan, former director of AmeriCorps state and national, is now chief program officer at The EdRedesign Lab.

Beth Francesco, former executive director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, will become executive director of the Education Writers Association at the end of September.

Laura Encalade, former co-president of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching and chief of staff at the Tennessee Department of Education, has joined Tennessee SCORE as chief of staff.

Sydni Dunn, previously press secretary and director of communications for the Louisiana Department of Education, has joined Whiteboard Advisors as a senior director.

Melissa Reynolds, former program officer at the Walton Family Foundation, is now senior director, policy and program at PIE Network.