I am a leadership consultant and educational innovator with over 17 years of experience in the public education sector, spanning classroom instruction to executive leadership roles. As the Executive Director of Leadership and Business Development at Kids On Stage (KOS), I specialize in creating dynamic partnerships between industry and education, bridging the gap to better prepare students for real-world opportunities.Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a mission to empower the underdog and provide equitable access to high-quality education. This passion has taken me to local, national, and international platforms, including a TED Talk and keynote speaking engagements. My approach to leadership is grounded in innovative problem-solving and strategic collaboration, with a focus on aligning business and education to cultivate the next generation of leaders.Currently, I lead KOS Collaborates, a revolutionary model built to connect industry professionals with students through personalized feedback and virtual advisory boards. Powered by a proprietary platform developed in partnership with the National Science Foundation, KOS Collaborates is scaling to impact schools not only across Tennessee but nationwide.Whether in urban or rural settings, I have successfully built and sustained industry partnerships that yield tangible outcomes. From managing complex initiatives as a former Executive Lead Principal at Mount Pleasant High School to fostering new pathways for workforce development through my consultancy, my work is centered on innovative leadership, talent development, and sustainable growth.If you are passionate about bridging the education-industry gap, I’d love to connect. Let’s discuss how we can collaborate to make meaningful, scalable impacts in our communities.