Jill Bowdon, PhD, is a Principal Researcher at American Institutes for Research (AIR) and is AIR’s Literacy Practice Hub Lead. Dr. Bowdon’s content expertise lies in early literacy, particularly around issues related to kindergarten readiness and transitions, state literacy policies and practices, the science of reading, Multi-Tiered System of Supports, and data-driven decision making. Through her work, Dr. Bowdon has honed her skills of deeply engaging with practitioners and policymakers to shape research that is rigorous, accessible, and actionable. Dr. Bowdon has worked closely with states, districts, and educators in the context of researcher-practitioner-partnerships to provide applied research, coaching, training, and technical assistance related to literacy . During her career, Dr. Bowdon has also served as the principal investigator, project director, and lead analyst on several large-scale research studies funded by the U.S. Department of Education. She is a certified reviewer for the What Works Clearinghouse.

Dena Slanda, PhD is a Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), where she leads large-scale projects that deliver tools, training, and customized services to state agencies, school districts, and education organizations. She collaborates with state and local education agencies, educator preparation programs, and other partners to address K–12 challenges through targeted, co-designed technical assistance and applied research. Additionally, she co-develops technical assistance strategies and drives continuous improvement by monitoring outcomes and refining approaches.

Dr. Slanda serves as the Project Director for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) National Literacy Center, where she supports states to implement literacy initiatives and guides the development comprehensive state literacy plans. She also leads intensive TA for the Lead IDEA Center, designing and overseeing services that strengthen early intervention program leaders and school principals’ capacity to improve systems for students with disabilities. Previously, Dr. Slanda advanced statewide literacy efforts through the West Comprehensive Center supporting state initiatives such as California’s the Move the Needle initiative. At the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders, she contributed to national efforts to recruit and retain a strong, diverse educator workforce by promoting affordable, responsive pathways into the profession.

Melissa M. Weber-Mayrer, Ph.D., is a dynamic leader at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, serving as the Chief of Literacy Achievement and Academic Success. In this pivotal role, Dr. Weber-Mayrer spearheads transformative policy and implementation for literacy, academic learning standards, model curriculum, and multi-tiered system of supports for the state, championing initiatives like the ReadOhio, Science of Reading, High Quality Instructional Materials, Third Grade Reading Guarantee, Dyslexia Supports Laws. With unwavering dedication, she directs the statewide rollout of evidence-based language and literacy strategies which aim to boost literacy from birth through grade 12. Her rich background includes teaching in vibrant urban school districts in Ohio, New Jersey, and Illinois, bringing real-world experience to her role. As an adjunct faculty member, she passionately teaches university reading courses, driven by her dedication to ensure effective literacy instruction. Educated at The Ohio State University with a B.S., M.A., and Ph.D., Dr. Weber-Mayrer is a fervent advocate for systemic educational changes to ensure all students become proficient readers. Her research, packed with powerful insights, focuses on early and middle childhood literacy, the science of reading, adult learning, teacher expertise, educator preparation, and robust multi-tiered support systems.

Allison Pickens is an ELA/Literacy Content Lead at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In her role, Allison develops and implements literacy improvement programs in schools and districts throughout Massachusetts. With vast experience in federal grants, change management, curriculum and instruction, and adolescent literacy, Allison has led a number of high impact initiatives across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Most recently, she has worked on the Massachusetts Literacy Launch Initiative, a statewide holistic initiative intended to improve early literacy teaching and learning from age 3 to grade 3. Allison prioritizes close working relationships with educators and seeks to address and redress disproportionate literacy experiences and outcomes for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved. Prior to joining DESE, Allison was a high school ELA teacher and received a bachelor's degree from Trinity College and a master's degree from Boston College.

Lori McNally is an ELA/Literacy Content Support Specialist at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In her role, Lori supports districts across the Commonwealth in developing and implementing sustainable, equitable literacy improvement strategies from PreK through grade 12. She has led the implementation of the Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) initiative under the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant, partnering closely with district teams to strengthen multi-tiered systems of support and ensure alignment to high-quality, culturally and linguistically sustaining instructional materials. Most recently, Lori launched DESE’s first-ever Curriculum-Based High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Communities of Practice to support teams in grades K-8 during the early stages of literacy curriculum implementation. Her work is grounded in a commitment to equity, educator partnership, and advancing meaningful change in literacy instruction. Before joining DESE, Lori served as an upper elementary school teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Lesley University, her master’s degree from American International College, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education at Northeastern University.

Michael is a Senior Director working in the Tennessee Department of Education, where he support ELA in secondary classrooms across the state of Tennessee. He also manages the state’s current and new CLSD grants as they support the implementation of high-quality instructional materials. He collaborates with a team of 5 people to offer access to a variety of student opportunities and seeks to ensure students have access to high-quality instruction in their classrooms.

He has accomplished several things in his career, including working as a kindergarten teacher for over ten years and supporting a district in East Tennessee as their intervention and instructional coach.

He is passionate about offering engaging lessons to all students and works hard to ensure teachers feel supported in their classrooms.

He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family of 6 and would eat doughnuts for every meal if he could. Michael likes to have fun while he works and enjoy watching his children play sports.

Dr. Christy Wall is the Assistant Commissioner of Academics where she leads the Instructional Strategies division for the department which includes Digital Learning, Math, Science & the Arts, Early Literacy and Secondary Literacy, Humanities, Social Studies and Student Opportunities for the department. She collaborates with a team of other divisional Assistant Commissioners and Senior Directors across the agency to ensure all LEAs and public charter schools are supported with thorough instructional guidance and support to implement the strategies and academic initiatives that best support K-12 students in Tennessee.

She has held various roles in her professional career including middle grades ELA teacher, K-12 instructional coach, high school principal, and district instructional supervisor prior to beginning her work at the department. Each role has served in a critical capacity to build practical knowledge and expertise in public education in Tennessee. A few professional highlights include implementing the AP Capstone program across multiple high schools in her former district in Tennessee, leading a district-level ELA K-12 adoption along with corresponding teacher and leader supports during the pandemic.

Dr. Wall resides in Middle Tennessee and has two middle school-aged children. She enjoys being active, attending concerts, and athletic events.