Center Experts
The Center operates one of the most experienced advisory services program in the nation.
Executive Profiles
Cathilea Robinett
Executive Vice President, e.Republic
Cathilea Robinett is Executive Vice President of e.Republic, the Center for Digital Government and Education's parent company, where she regularly consults on editorial direction of its magazines (Government Technology, Public CIO, Emergency Management and GOVERNING) and the major themes of its annual conferences held across the country.
LeiLani Cauthen
Vice President Center for Digital Education/Publisher of Converge
LeiLani Cauthen is Vice President of the Center for Digital Education and Publisher of Converge, overseeing sales and strategy for it's research and advisory services as well as the Converge media platform comprised of the quarterly themed Converge Special Reports, Converge Online, and custom publishing services.
John Halpin
Vice President Strategic Programs - Center for Digital Education
John Halpin is Vice President of Education Strategic Programs for the Center for Digital Education. As a veteran K-12 teacher, college professor and IT consultant, Halpin has been active in promoting the use of technology in education for over 25 years. He has led sales and marketing efforts for some of the largest technology companies and has written for various media outlets. In addition, Halpin is a frequent speaker on public sector technology issues for national professional associations, various state leadership councils and technology companies.
Mary Noel
Director of Research - Centers for Digital Government and Education
Mary Noel is Director of Research for the Centers for Digital Government and Education. She orchestrates and oversees all aspects of research and advisory services, custom research, contract vehicle review, and industry sales training. She has been with the Centers for more than ten years. A graduate of Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, Noel practiced law for more than 25 years prior to joining the Center.
Senior Fellows
Teresa Altemus
CDE Senior Fellow
In 1993, Teresa was elected to the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors and became the first woman and youngest member ever to have been elected to the Board of Supervisors. As a former member of the Gloucester Board of Supervisors, President of the Virginia Association of Counties and President-Elect of the National Association of Counties, Teresa brought a tremendous amount of work ethic, passion and tenacity to her work that was evident in everything she did. Within these organizations, she served on many committees and commissions. Her advocacy to integrate Technology to enhance all public services is apparent with her ability to be a pivotal team member in the planning, funding and securing the new Emergency Services Communication System for her county.
Tom Ryan, Ph.D.
CDE Senior Fellow
Dr. Tom Ryan, retired CIO for Albuquerque Public Schools, invested 31 years into public education as a teacher, principal, and the last 11 years as the CIO. He has a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis on learning technologies. He has extensive experience in IT, school administration, and e-learning. He helped develop the NM e-learning program called IDEAL-NM and helps schools transform from traditional to blended learning environments.
Kari Kelso, Ph.D.
CDE Senior Fellow
Dr. Kari Kelso is a senior fellow for the Center for Digital Education. Kelso earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Organizational Communication and has over nine years of experience as the lead manager for two of California’s larger school districts in Research, Evaluation and Assessments and one rural district. Having taught at the university level at three universities — combined with her K-12 school district leadership — she knows K-20 education from the inside out.
Sharnell Jackson
CDE Senior Fellow
Sharnell S. Jackson, Ed.M., is the retired chief e-learning officer; state e-learning director; and former K-9 literacy, mathematics, science, and instructional technology educator for the Chicago Public Schools. She assembled and led a diverse district team of educators and technologists to identify and implement the most data-driven innovative and effective technology systems to improve assessment for learning, instructional practice, and customize learning for the individual needs, interests, and abilities of all students.
Kristin DeProspero
CDE Senior Fellow
Kristin has over twenty two years of strategic grants and funding consulting and management experience. She provides exceptional support to bridge the gap between eligible applicants and alternative funding, and demystifies the complex world of grants, including the uncharted waters of the recent ARRA. She has developed grant assistance programs and support tools for leading technology innovators and has been instrumental in securing more than $75 million in grants. Kristin is a Certified Grant Specialist, and a participant in the American Association of Grant Professionals.
Wilton Agatstein
CDE Senior Fellow
Executive Director, UC Davis Center for Entrepreneurship
Visiting Professor - UC Davis Graduate School of Management
Board Member, Inveneo
Formerly: Senior Fellow, Winrock International; 27 Years at Intel, including: VP & General Manager - Emerging Markets Platforms Group - Intel VP & GM - Reseller Products Group; Co-founder Golden Hills School - A Private K-8 school in El Dorado Hills, CA; Soccer Coach for 14 years in EDYSL & Sac Mini Metro
Mark Gura
CDE Senior Fellow
Director, OUTREACH Program
Regional Educational Technology Center, Fordham University
Co-host of Podcast for Teachers (Weekly Radio Program)
Former Director, Office of Instructional Technology, New York City Board of Education
