Improving at the Margins: Empowering Students with Disabilities

Leilani is in her 22nd year with Green Dot Public Schools California and currently serves as the Chief Programs Officer. Prior to that she served in the roles of Vice President of Curriculum and Programs and Area Superintendent. Leilani began her career with Green Dot as a founding teacher at Animo Inglewood. She served the Inglewood community for 11 years, as a teacher, AP and principal before taking on the role of Area Superintendent in 2013. Leilani earned her Masters of Education from LMU in 2005 and her BA in Political Science from UCLA in 2002.

Sharon Johnson, with 23 years in California's charter schools, serves as the Senior Director of Specialized Programs at Summit Public Schools. She crafts support frameworks for all learners, including neurodivergent and multilingual students. Sharon's 20-year tenure at Aspire Public Schools honed her commitment to authentic leadership and systemic work. Passionate about educational equity and excellence, especially for underserved students, she's a National Equity Project Leadership Fellow and has taught at Alliant University and Alder Graduate School. Sharon earned her MA from San Jose State and a BS from Northwestern University.

Stephanie Lassalle is the Director of Improvement Programs at Marshall Street Initiatives. A seasoned Special Educator, Stephanie leads the Networked Improvement Community for Students with Disabilities, leveraging her extensive K-12 experience. She has held key roles in nonprofits, emphasizing community engagement and leadership development. Passionate about equity-driven education, she advocates for reimagined school design catering to diverse learners. Outside work, Stephanie relishes rock climbing, hiking, and global travels, often fostering international community bonds.

Vanessa Murrieta is a Program Officer on the US Charters team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she makes investments that aim to improve outcomes for students with disabilities who are Black, Latinx, or impacted by poverty. Prior to this role, her work at the foundation focused on teacher leadership that supports standards-aligned instruction. Murrieta started her career as a secondary special education teacher in traditional and charter public schools in Los Angeles. She received a B.A. in Global & International Studies, Sociology from UC Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University.