Dr. Brian McDonald was Superintendent of the Pasadena Unified School District from 2014 to 2023. He is an educational leader, adjunct professor, and a former principal and classroom teacher who was dedicated to providing an excellent educational experience for 15,000 PUSD students at 23 schools. 

Under his leadership, PUSD received major federal grants that created seven magnet schools, expanded dual language immersion programs to four languages (Armenian, French, Mandarin, and Spanish), developed a nationally-acclaimed math academy for accelerated learners, launched an innovative app development academy, and augmented college dual enrollment programs. Vibrant visual and performing arts and STEM programs are thriving with deep connections to the Pasadena area’s rich cultural and scientific resources.  With a strong focus on the social-emotional well-being of its students, PUSD is one of the only school districts with its own mental health department and was the first in the state to adopt a wellness policy. 

Dr. McDonald led the development of a robust graduate profile, adopted in 2014, that created a shared vision for the cognitive, personal, and interpersonal competencies that students should have when they graduate. To graduate, 12th grade students must prepare and present a senior portfolio reflecting their learning, skills, and interests. To balance the goals of optimizing the educational experience of its students with the budgetary constraints of statewide declining enrollment, Dr. McDonald led a reorganization, implemented a strategic budgeting process, and made painful but necessary budgetary reductions including the closure of four school campuses.

 Early investments in 1:1 technology devices for students along with robust networks of instructional coaches and a teaching corps that recently completed a rewriting of the curriculum meant that PUSD was able to quickly shift to remote learning during the COVID pandemic. Vigorous emergency planning ensured that student meal service continued and that vaccines were administered as soon as they became available in January 2021. Dr. McDonald collaborated extensively with parents, employees, and community partners to accelerate improvements and target resources to close achievement gaps between groups of students. 

In November 2020, voters approved Measure O, the $516.3 million bond to increase student access to technology and upgrade classrooms and schools. In 2018, Pasadena voters approved a $21 million sales tax measure, resulting in the district receiving $7 million in additional revenue each year. Dr. McDonald joined PUSD as Chief Academic Officer in October 2011. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, a Master’s from Texas Southern University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University. He also served as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University.

Dr. Lloyd Jackson serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for advancement / Chief Development Officer for Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas .   Lloyd is married to the beautiful Veronica Jackson.  In his role within Henderson State University, he gets the opportunity to do what he loves—making an impact on the lives of young people.  He received his doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.  Dr. Jackson carries his passion for service into the community by serving as Founding President of the HSU Black Alumni Chapter, Board member of the Coterie Children’s Theatre and former member of the Lead to Read in Kansas City board of directors.  Jackson also serves as the Executive Director of the American Legion Arkansas Boys State program.  Lloyd Jackson has held and holds numerous leadership roles, but the one role he is most concerned with is the one which offers help and support to the community.  For 20 years, Dr. Jackson served in K-12 education as a high school mathematics teacher; Middle School Dean of Students/Instructional Facilitator; Middle School Assistant Principal/7th Grade Principal; High School Principal, assistant and deputy superintendent.  

Under his leadership, PUSD received major federal grants that created seven magnet schools, expanded dual language immersion programs to four languages (Armenian, French, Mandarin, and Spanish), developed a nationally-acclaimed math academy for accelerated learners, launched an innovative app development academy, and augmented college dual enrollment programs. Vibrant visual and performing arts and STEM programs are thriving with deep connections to the Pasadena area’s rich cultural and scientific resources.  With a strong focus on the social-emotional well-being of its students, PUSD is one of the only school districts with its own mental health department and was the first in the state to adopt a wellness policy. 

Dr. McDonald led the development of a robust graduate profile, adopted in 2014, that created a shared vision for the cognitive, personal, and interpersonal competencies that students should have when they graduate. To graduate, 12th grade students must prepare and present a senior portfolio reflecting their learning, skills, and interests. To balance the goals of optimizing the educational experience of its students with the budgetary constraints of statewide declining enrollment, Dr. McDonald led a reorganization, implemented a strategic budgeting process, and made painful but necessary budgetary reductions including the closure of four school campuses.

 Early investments in 1:1 technology devices for students along with robust networks of instructional coaches and a teaching corps that recently completed a rewriting of the curriculum meant that PUSD was able to quickly shift to remote learning during the COVID pandemic. Vigorous emergency planning ensured that student meal service continued and that vaccines were administered as soon as they became available in January 2021. Dr. McDonald collaborated extensively with parents, employees, and community partners to accelerate improvements and target resources to close achievement gaps between groups of students. 

In November 2020, voters approved Measure O, the $516.3 million bond to increase student access to technology and upgrade classrooms and schools. In 2018, Pasadena voters approved a $21 million sales tax measure, resulting in the district receiving $7 million in additional revenue each year. Dr. McDonald joined PUSD as Chief Academic Officer in October 2011. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, a Master’s from Texas Southern University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University. He also served as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University.

Michael Conner, Ed.D., is the international award-winning CEO/Founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group. Dr. Conner also served as Superintendent of Schools, Chief Academic Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Principal, Literacy Curriculum Specialist, and Fourth Grade Teacher. He is the creator and architect of the Disruptive Effect Model. His book entitled, Intentional, Bold, and Unapologetic: A Guide to Transforming Schools in the AC-Stage of Education was released in December 2022.

Dr. Conner obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education/ Humanities from Lasell University. He also received his Master of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport, Sixth Year Diploma from Southern Connecticut State University, and Doctorate in Education from Cambridge College. Dr. Conner completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Connecticut, the Harvard Superintendents Institute, and the prestigious AASA/Howard University National Urban Superintendents Academy in Washington, D.C. Dr. Conner obtained his Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics from Harvard University and an Advanced Certificate in Management, Innovation, and Technology from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Dr. Rabi holds over 20 years of unique experience in education reform, assessment, curriculum development, instructional design, content development, custom publishing, digitizing curricula, and educational professional development and capacity building. Her assignments have allowed her to collaborate with multiple stakeholders and decision makers, influencing the lives of over 40 million students (about twice the population of New York) and thousands of teachers while working with school districts, Ministries of Education, and institutes of higher education around the world.

Dr. Rabi applies a research-based approach to propose and deliver pedagogically sound solutions. She is particularly interested in practitioner action-research relating to education reform and capacity building. She is passionate about education reform and equal rights to access quality education in the 21st century, thus she spearheads initiatives to improve the quality of on-line education resources offered to the growing community of digital learners. Sally believes that 21st century technology is the key to revolutionizing learning experiences within global institutionalized learning settings. Dr. Rabi has led diverse education initiatives in the USA, UK, Europe, North Africa, Gulf and Middle East. She has published and lead the development of several K-22 ELL (English Language Learners), ESP (English for Specific Purposes), Math, Sciences as well as Career and Life Skills programs.

Dr Sally Rabi holds a PhD in Education Reform and Professional Education Capacity Building, a Master of Education in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and a bachelor's degree in English for Applied and Special Purposes. Besides spending time with her three children, she is a life-long learner, a passionate reader, world-traveler, and artist.