The Empowerment Collaborative Leadership Team unites innovative leaders dedicated to implementing highly effective change that focuses on culture, instructional practices, and assessment in service of preparing every child for college and career success.
Marshall University Board of Governors • West Virginia Associate State Superintendent (retired) • Spearheaded development of Simulated Workplace in WV CTE • Champion and leader of Empowerment Collaborative development from inception in 2018 to full implementation
Designer and content developer at all stages of the Empowerment Collaborative from inception in 2018 to full implementation • Master of Educational and Instructional Leadership • National Board Certified Teacher (2019–present) • 15 years instructional experience in project-based environments • New Tech Network Exemplary Teacher and Train-the-Trainer PBL certifications
Amy Stewart
Director of Field Operations
Designer and content developer at all stages of the Empowerment Collaborative from inception in 2018 to full implementation • Master of Educational and Instructional Leadership • National Board Certified Teacher (2019–present) • 15 years instructional experience in project-based environments • New Tech Network Exemplary Teacher and Train-the-Trainer PBL certifications
Empowerment Collaborative design team • Previously School Improvement Specialist with the Southern Regional Education Board • Designer and content developer at all stages of the Empowerment Collaborative from inception in 2018 to full implementation
Facilitates and manages the grant reporting and management for the Empowerment Collaborative and Mountain State ESC • Manages over 20 million dollars in federal and state grants
Administrative support and capacity building • Managed Crist Consulting • Serves on the governing boards of Rainelle Medical Center and BridgeValley Community and Technical College • 36 years of educational experience • 17 years as Coordinator of Vocational Programs for Fayette County and Director of Fayette Institute of Technology
Barry Crist
Administrative & Leadership Support
Administrative support and capacity building • Managed Crist Consulting • Serves on the governing boards of Rainelle Medical Center and BridgeValley Community and Technical College • 36 years of educational experience • 17 years as Coordinator of Vocational Programs for Fayette County and Director of Fayette Institute of Technology
West Virginia State Systems Coach and Systems Coach Liaison • Principal Investigator for Empowerment Collaborative • Served four terms on the Fayette County School Board, including eight years as Board President • President-Elect of the West Virginia School Board Association • Appointed to two three-year terms on the West Virginia Commission of Professional Teaching Standards by the West Virginia State School Board • 30 years of corporate leadership experience with concentrations in operations, project and program management, customer and employee experience, data analytics, Six Sigma, and process engineering
Pat Gray
State Systems Liason
West Virginia State Systems Coach and Systems Coach Liaison • Principal Investigator for Empowerment Collaborative • Served four terms on the Fayette County School Board, including eight years as Board President • President-Elect of the West Virginia School Board Association • Appointed to two three-year terms on the West Virginia Commission of Professional Teaching Standards by the West Virginia State School Board • 30 years of corporate leadership experience with concentrations in operations, project and program management, customer and employee experience, data analytics, Six Sigma, and process engineering
Pennsylvania Department of Education – Career and Technical Advisor and Empowerment Collaborative PDE Partner • 25 years of experience in workforce development and student success • Education Policy Leadership Center Fellow – Class of 2025
Lead Grant Writer for the American Red Cross (retired) • Administrative Director for the PA Hallowed Ground Project • Founding Member of the Education and Policy Leadership Center • Recipient of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Keystone Award for Workplace Development Innovation (2009)
Bob Welsh
Pennsylvania State Systems Coach
Lead Grant Writer for the American Red Cross (retired) • Administrative Director for the PA Hallowed Ground Project • Founding Member of the Education and Policy Leadership Center • Recipient of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Keystone Award for Workplace Development Innovation (2009)
Bill Bates
Pennsylvania Dept. of Education