Margaret Gaston is the President, and Executive Director.  In 1995, Ms. Gaston established the Center by developing a private and public constituency base of support and audience for its products and services that include education and public policy communities, education support organizations, foundations, colleges, universities, and the public.  Prior to establishing the Center, Ms. Gaston was a special consultant to philanthropic organizations, advising foundation program officers, presidents and board members on grantmaking to public education and education support entities.  She has also served as a consultant and administrator for the California Department of Education, overseeing the School Improvement Program (SIP), School Program Quality Review, Community Education, and other school reform efforts before starting her own consulting firm.

At the local level, Ms. Gaston has been an elementary classroom teacher, categorical programs coordinator, and a high school vice principal.  She received San Diego State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award for 2007 from the College of Education for her work in education policy directed toward improving teaching in high need schools serving English language learners and economically disadvantaged students of color.  Ms. Gaston was appointed to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in 2006 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and was approved unanimously by the Senate for the post.  She serves on the Executive Committee of the Commission and is chair of the Legislative Committee.  She has one daughter, is an avid reader, and enjoys riding horses, hiking and travel.

Harvey Hunt is Vice President of programs. He has served as founding Executive Director of the Center and has an extensive background in public administration and education.  At the California Department of Education, Dr. Hunt served in many roles, including Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for External Affairs, overseeing such programs as the California Academic Partnership Program and the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program.  Prior to joining the Department, he was a member of the staff of the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office assigned to public school finance and educational policy issues. Dr. Hunt earned his doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He is the proud grandfather of four and enjoys leading tours of San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhoods.

Patsy Wilkes is Vice President of operations. She has served in the capacity of key administrator since the Center was founded in 1995.  Her work with Silicon Valley industries, including Intel, has provided a background in accounting, human resources, and business management. Ms. Wilkes earned her B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has three nearly grown children, and on a sunny weekend she can be found riding her horse on local trails.

Linda Bond is Senior Policy Analyst. Prior to her work with the Center, she served as Director of Governmental Relations for the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.  She has had extensive experience with the California Legislature, serving as Senior Consultant to the Senate Education Committee, and as staff consultant to the Assembly Education Committee, the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and the Assembly Education Subcommittee on Education Reform.  Ms. Bond earned her M.A. in American Government from Rutgers University.  She has a daughter attending college, and she enjoys reading, sailing, skiing and traveling with her fiancé.

Stacey Kyle is Research and Policy Associate. She has served as the Center’s research liaison since joining the staff in 2004.  Previously, she completed internships at the University of Maryland’s Educational Policy Reform Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Special Education Programs.  Dr. Kyle earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Organizations from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is enjoying life with her husband and baby boy and holds out hope that someday the San Francisco Giants will win the World Series.

Betsie Tanza is Program Assistant and Event Coordinator. She has acted as the Center’s event coordinator since 1995.  In that capacity, Ms. Tanza plays a critical role in orchestrating and facilitating all aspects of the Center’s meetings, forums and colloquiums.  She also serves as program assistant to the various Center initiatives and provides executive support to the Center’s president. Ms. Tanza earned her B.A. in Journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She is the mother of three.