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
Dr. Kathy D’Antoni
Project Director
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
Dr. Kathleen McNally
CEO, NOCTI
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
30 years in education as educator, administrator, and district-level CTE/Curriculum director.
Jan Hanlon
Director, Mountain State Esc.
30 years in education as educator, administrator, and district-level CTE/Curriculum director.
Active Implementation Science Specialist • Special Education Leadership at school, district, and state levels
Dr. Jennifer Dale
Implementation Specialist
Active Implementation Science Specialist • Special Education Leadership at school, district, and state levels
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
Tammy Stowers
Program Director, Mountain State Esc.
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
West Virginia State Systems Coach
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
Mycenea Worley
Pennsylvania Dept. of Education
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
Middle School Career Studies Program Consultant for the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education • More than 30 years of education experience • National Board Certified in Career and Technical Education • Former Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and middle school Career Exploration educator • Advocate for early career awareness and financial literacy • Collaborates with educators, administrators, and community partners across Kentucky to develop engaging, standards-aligned programs that prepare students for success in high school, postsecondary opportunities, and beyond
Sharon Collins
Kentucky Dept. of Education
Middle School Career Studies Program Consultant for the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education • More than 30 years of education experience • National Board Certified in Career and Technical Education • Former Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and middle school Career Exploration educator • Advocate for early career awareness and financial literacy • Collaborates with educators, administrators, and community partners across Kentucky to develop engaging, standards-aligned programs that prepare students for success in high school, postsecondary opportunities, and beyond
Amanda Boggs
Kentucky Dept. of Education
George Aulembacher
West Virginia Dept. of Education
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)
Kentucky State Systems Coach • 30+ years of experience in classroom and state level education positions
Teresa Rogers
Kentucky State Systems Coach
Kentucky State Systems Coach • 30+ years of experience in classroom and state level education positions
