Aida Ali Akreyi is a research and data strategy expert with over a decade of experience in federal data collection, institutional research, and education policy. Most recently, she served as Statistician and IPEDS Operations Lead at the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, where she directed national postsecondary data collection, compliance, and reporting initiatives, ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and usability. Aida brings deep expertise in leading large-scale research projects, developing performance metrics, and translating complex data into actionable insights for policymakers, institutional leaders, and the public. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Policy from the University of California, Riverside, and is passionate about using data to inform systems change and expand opportunity.

Aubrey Brooke has over 20 years of experience designing and developing responsive web applications as a Senior UI/UX Product Designer, specializing in user-centered solutions that resonate with target audiences. Expertise includes leveraging data, user research, and empathy to craft intuitive, engaging, and accessible digital experiences. Proficient in visual design, research, development, and interactivity, with strong leadership skills in guiding teams to successful project outcomes.

Experienced leader in large-scale assessment and psychometrics with over 25 years specializing in educational measurement, statistical analysis, and data-driven reporting. Recognized for managing complex national and international assessment programs and coordinating cross-functional teams through all phases of test development, validation, administration, and analysis. Adept at translating sophisticated data into actionable insights and effectively communicating results to all.

Experienced mathematical statistician with a wide range of research and analytic skills. In-depth experience with all aspects of survey research, including conceptual development, survey design management, and quantitative data analysis using appropriate statistical methodology. Specific expertise in data confidentiality and statistical disclosure limitation procedures. Effective written and oral communication skills.

I’m an Education Researcher fueled by a passion for improving the lives of young children and their families through thoughtful, data-driven change. I believe that when research is done well—and shared wisely—it can elevate entire systems of early childhood education and care. My work centers on uncovering what works, for whom, and why, using rigorous program evaluation and applied research to guide practice and policy.

Across federal, state, and local departments of education, foundations, and nonprofit organizations, I’ve collaborated with diverse teams to design evaluations, develop assessments, and build evidence that informs strategy. Whether managing a national study, advising on state policy, or crafting insights for practitioners, I strive to make complex information useful and actionable for those shaping the field.

My approach blends strategic thinking with creativity, problem-solving, and a deep commitment to equity. I led project and staff management for the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS), ensuring high-quality results and timely deliverables. I’ve provided technical assistance to Chicago Public Schools, supported content alignment for Oklahoma’s Early Learning Inventory, and helped refine training and assessment protocols across multiple states. My work with the Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa enhanced data quality through improved protocols.

Globally, I’ve represented U.S. perspectives in shaping the International Early Learning Study (IELS), overseeing a national pilot and facilitating key conversations with NAEYC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Throughout, I’ve remained focused on making data meaningful—refining instruments, translating findings for broad audiences, and building bridges between research and practice.

At the heart of my work is a belief: that data, when centered on real people and real needs, can be a powerful tool for advancing opportunity and equity. I’m here to help organizations take the next best step for the children and families they serve.

Experienced in team leadership, project management, oral and written presentation, recruitment and outreach, Elise brings passion and focus to her projects.

Most recently, at NCES, Elise managed six simultaneous large, nationally representative longitudinal studies of high schoolers into adulthood, resulting in the release of over 10 national-level datasets of survey and administrative data with supporting documentation and supplementary tables. Every product release was on-budget and on-schedule, meeting Congressional mandates for NCES data release and NCES Standards for high data quality.

Dr. Clark has 15 years of experience designing and managing research projects in the federal government, academia, and the non-profit sector. She excels at manipulating and analyzing large, complex data sets, as well as translating complicated findings for non-technical audiences. Most recently, she served as a statistician for the Crime and Safety Surveys Program at the National Center for Education Statistics.

With over 15 years of experience supporting U.S. Department of Education initiatives, Ms. Collins brings expertise in project management, process development, data collection, and reporting. She has led and collaborated on efforts to evaluate and enhance multiple federal data collection systems and processes, helping agencies modernize how they gather and use information while providing targeted technical assistance to support adoption and effective use. She excels at synthesizing data and extracting key insights to create reports, training materials, and web content that are clear, concise, and tailored to her audience. Drawing on her background in social work, Ms. Collins approaches leadership and collaboration with empathy, structure, and an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality results.

With over 16 years of experience as a leader within the U.S. Department of Education, public service is the foundation of my career. I excel in building programs, fostering collaboration, and making data accessible to drive decisions–including qualitative data. I thrive on creating lasting connections (within and beyond the education sector) among stakeholders with differing perspectives and experiences. During my tenure at the Department, my work included:

1) U.S. Department of Education-wide Lead for implementing Office of Management & Budget’s revised race/ethnicity standards across the Department and the entire U.S. education system; 2) Project Director for the National Indian Education Study, the largest nationally representative data collection of American Indian and Alaska Native students in the country; 3) Task Leader for all National Assessment of Educational Progress Survey Questions; and 4) U.S. Delegate (elected 2025 chair) to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s “NESLI Network” – the collection and reporting of system-level descriptive information on educational structures, policies and practices related to education systems.

Kristi is a sociologist with expertise in research design, data analysis, and stakeholder communications. At NCES, she led the Digest of Education Statistics, which is a core statistical reference that covers education topics from early childhood to K-12, post-secondary, and adult outcomes, all across several equity dimensions. Her prior experience includes working with state and local education organizations, including the city of Newark, NJ, and Saint Louis Public Schools, on community-driven research projects. Kristi has more than 10 years of experience with quantitative data analysis and writing for technical and non-technical audiences.

Kathleen Flanagan has led numerous evaluation and large-scale assessment projects. Innovative course modules that show educators how to take charge of classroom and school outcomes are available at chartingyourowncourse.com.

From early on, I have been a visual learner and expressed myself with art using many mediums. I was trained to teach art, photography, and art therapy and have done so in classrooms K-12 and college. I was the Print Media and Communications Coordinator of Lesley University, Cambridge, Ma. But the instant gratification of digital photography lead to learning video, editing, graphics and pushing the right buttons in the control room of a TV studio as a director. I was the Education Channel Coordinator of NewTV in Newton, Ma for many years. I have worked for many Cable Access stations and was the Executive Director of NCTV in Norfolk, Ma. I have always loved to write poetry and short scripts which rounds out my creative communication projects. I am thrilled to assist a research team that cares about education and its critical ramifications.