The Hunt Institute and the Virginia Department of Education to facilitate Virginia Superintendent Transition Advisory Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2026
Contact: Dr. Javaid Siddiqi
Javaid.Siddiqi@hunt-institute.org | (984) 377-5200

Superintendent Jenna Conway to Chair Advisory Committee

Richmond, V.A. – The Hunt Institute, a national education policy nonprofit affiliated with Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, announced today the launch of the Virginia Superintendent Transition Advisory Committee in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education.

The Virginia Superintendent Transition Advisory Committee brings together more than two dozen leaders from Virginia’s education, business, government, and philanthropic communities to help shape priorities for the Commonwealth’s early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary systems. Members include Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi, legislative leaders from both parties, school superintendents, mayors, principals, teachers, parents, and the executive directors of Virginia’s leading education associations.

Since 2018, The Hunt Institute has used this advisory committee model to support incoming and new state education leaders in nine states. The approach pairs national best practices with state-specific data to help leaders build consensus and move quickly from priorities to action.

“Getting this right requires input from people who understand Virginia’s classrooms, communities, and economy,” said Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway. “I’m grateful to this group of leaders for lending their time and expertise as we chart a path forward for our students.”

The Advisory Committee will convene three times this fall, each meeting focused on a distinct set of priorities:

• Ready to Learn – Virginia’s early childhood care and education system and the K-12 landscape, including assessment and accountability
• Ready for Life – career pathways and postsecondary alignment
• Ready Educators and Leaders– educator workforce development and system coherence

“Virginia has an opportunity to build on real momentum in its early childhood and K-12 systems,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “This committee brings the right voices to the table to help Superintendent Conway prioritize the work ahead.”

“This committee is an opportunity for the practitioners in the classrooms and for district office leaders to help shape decisions before they’re made,” said Dr. John B. Gordon III, Division Superintendent of Suffolk Public Schools and the 2026 Virginia Superintendent of the Year. “I am honored to be a part of the committee, and I look forward to working closely with everyone and Superintendent Conway to build a model that reflects the needs of Virginia’s students and educators.”

The Advisory Committee Members include:

Elected & Government Officials

• The Honorable Ghazala Hashmi, Lt. Governor of Virginia | Office of the Lieutenant Governor
• The Honorable Sam Rasoul, House of Delegates | Virginia General Assembly
• The Honorable Terry Kilgore, House of Delegates | Virginia General Assembly
• The Honorable Mike Cherry, House of Delegates | Virginia General Assembly
• The Honorable Barbara Favola, Senate | Virginia General Assembly
• The Honorable Stella Pekarsky, Senate | Virginia General Assembly
• The Honorable Rev. Dr. Joseph L. Cobb, Mayor | City of Roanoke

Superintendents & District Leaders

• Dr. John B. Gordon III, Division Superintendent | Suffolk Public Schools | 2026 Virginia Superintendent of the Year
• Dr. Francisco Durán, Superintendent | Arlington Public Schools
• Yolonda Brown, Superintendent | Petersburg City Public Schools
• Keith Perrigan, Superintendent | Washington County Public Schools
• Dr. John Murray, Superintendent | Chesterfield County Public Schools

Higher Education

• Denelle Wallace-Alexander, Dean, School of Education | Norfolk State University
• Ingrid Guerra-López, Dean, College of Education and Human Development | George Mason University
• David Doré, Chancellor | Virginia Community College System

Association & Advocacy Leaders

• Scott Brabrand, Executive Director | Virginia Association of School Superintendents
• Krista Barton-Arnold, Executive Director | Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals
• Randy D. Barrack, Chief Executive Officer | Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals
• Gina Patterson, Executive Director | Virginia School Boards Association
• Carol Bauer, President | Virginia Education Association
• Dr. Ben Pearson-Nelson, President | Virginia Parent Teacher Association
• Susanne Bell, President | Virginia Early Childhood Foundation
• Lisa Howard, Chief Executive Officer | E3: Elevate Early Education
• Nicole Overley, Commissioner | Virginia Works

Business & Government Relations

• Keith Martin, Executive Vice President & General Counsel | Virginia Chamber of Commerce
• Stewart D. Roberson, Senior Advisor | McGuireWoods Consulting
• Laura Novey, Senior Vice President, State Government Relations | McGuireWoods Consulting LLC | Virginia Secretary of Education, 2011–2013

Educators, Parents & Community

• Lisa Warner, Middle School Principal | Prince William County Schools
• Madeline Duffy, 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year | Nottoway County Public Schools
• Kailah Brewer, Special Education Teacher | Virginia Promise Partnership Parent Advisory, ECCE Commission
• Lia Tremblay, Parent

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About The Hunt Institute
The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since its establishment in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success. For more information, please visit: www.hunt-institute.org