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Our Team

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Dr. Robert McLaughlin

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bob is co-founder of the National Collaborative, bringing to this work several decades of experience in education, STEM educational reform, educational policy analysis and innovation, and designing and leading large-scale technical assistance initiatives. He has chaired the Association of Teacher Educators’ National Commission for Technology and the Future of Teacher Education, administered the evaluation and approval of New Hampshire’s educator preparation programs, and for nearly a dozen years conceived and led a nine-state consortium of state and local educational leaders undertaking systemic STEM educational reform and education technology integration at the school and preparation program levels.

Kathryn Byrd

Kathryn Byrd

Business Manager

Kathryn has worked primarily for non-profits as their Business Manager for most of her career. She has built different accounting systems to meet the needs of her employers. A highly self-motivated, versatile and detail oriented professional with over forty years’ experience in accounting/office management. Strong strategic and analytical thinker who consistently conducts business with passion and ethical integrity. Results-driven problem solver with the ability to multitask in a constantly changing work environment. Effectively works independently, in teams, with colleagues and various departments within an organization to exceed expectations.

Mary Ford, Ed.D.

Mary Ford, Ed.D.

Director of Inclusive Career Pathways

Mary has extensive experience developing innovative high school and post-secondary programs leading to living wage jobs for diverse learners, innovative educator preparation programs, and providing guidance to preparation programs to address regulatory compliance and accreditation processes. She has developed undergraduate and graduate paid–residency educator preparation programs focused on competency-based pedagogy and improved K-12 learning outcomes and has stablished seamless transfer agreements to create high quality, affordable 2+2 programs. 

Barbara Hopkins, PhD.

Barbara Hopkins, PhD.

Chief of Strategic Partnerships & Resource Development

Barbara’s career as a teacher, education administrator, and active community builder has been focused on education and capacity-building. Equal opportunity is important – be it ethnic, geographic, or income related.  As one example, she directed a partnership program that engaged communities simultaneously in school improvement and the strengthening of local businesses. Barbara has vast knowledge of business acumen, educational vision, and student success along with the skills to develop human, in-kind, and financial resources to support collaborative efforts.

Carol Miller

Carol Miller

Director, Broadband Initiatives

Carol works with communities and organizations around the state, and with legislators helping them to make decisions and develop policies to improve digital access and attract high capacity infrastructure. She currently serves on the several boards and committees including the Coos County Economic Development Corporation, the NH Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee, the Transportation Council, the New Hampshire Tech Alliance Workforce Development Committee, and the New Hampshire School Connectivity Initiative, and a repeat presenter/facilitator for NCDE.

Sarah Segrest

Sarah Segrest

Chief Learning Officer

Sarah is a learning futurist and education technology specialist who has led corporate strategies for future planning and community building for a decade. An insatiable appetite for learning, a knack for understanding emerging technologies and a passion for breaking down boundaries has forged her unique career path across multiple industries over the last quarter century. Sarah brings her diverse skillset to NCDE along with her dedication to supporting a diverse, equitable and accessible future for education across the globe.

Bonnie Bracey Sutton

Bonnie Bracey Sutton

Director, Digital Equity Resource, Research, & Dissemination

Bonnie is known internationally for leadership in identifying and sharing digital equity strategies and resources. She has served as a George Lucas Fellow, member of the National Information Infrastructure Advisory Council, and co-founder of the digital equity network for the International Society for Technology in Education. Bonnie has presented about game-changing educational technology resources in dozens of countries and is widely regarded and beloved for her knowledge regarding amazing learning technology resources that underrepresented students and their educators most need to know about.

Gail Thomas

Gail Thomas

Director, Program Support

Gail has worked primarily for non-profits her entire career. Most recently, she was the Training Administrator for the Child Welfare Education Partnership at Granite State College. In that role, Gail administered the learning management system, Canvas; hired and trained instructors, created the quarterly term of courses for foster and adoptive parents, residential staff, and DCYF workers. Gail supervised instructional design staff and curriculum writers. She worked with the program budget, managing courses offered against the IV-E funding received by the State.

Kevin Witting

Kevin Witting

Chief Technology Officer

Kevin’s diverse background in computer programming and Internet technology provides him the ability to create new market opportunities and develop untapped revenue potential in an existing market. Over his career, he has consistently developed and executed Internet marketing and Web development plans for small and large companies, as well as non-profit organizations. Areas of expertise include Web programming, software development, and Internet marketing.