David Frank is Assistant Commissioner and Chief of Staff to the Commissioner of Education at the New York State Education Department. In this role, he leads the implementation of the Department’s strategic priorities across the P–20 continuum, advancing early childhood, K–12, higher education, and workforce opportunities for all New Yorkers. He provides oversight for numerous non-district school programs, including New York’s 37 Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Indigenous education initiatives. His work is grounded in the Department’s guiding principles of equity, opportunity, and access, with a focus on organizational change and a service-oriented approach to supporting students, educators, and communities.

Mr. Frank previously led the Charter School Office, the Office of Religious and Independent School Support, and the Department’s initiative on teaching in remote and hybrid learning environments. He was also the lead author of New York State’s $9 billion American Rescue Plan application. He began his career at the New York City Department of Education, holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Columbia University.

Nan Eileen Mead is the co-executive director of DemocracyReady NY. She is a longtime education policy advocate, researcher, and policymaker. Ms. Mead, after a first career in the finance sector, served on several education policy and advocacy boards as a public school parent of children attending New York City public schools. From 2016 to 2022, she represented the 1st Judicial District on the New York State Board of Regents. During her tenure, she co-chaired the Regents Subcommittee on State Aid. She was Director of Outreach and Communications at the Center for Educational Equity from 2022 to 2025. 

Jessica R. Wolff is the co-executive director of DemocracyReady NY. She is a veteran nonprofit leader, education policy analyst, researcher, writer, and advocate. She conceived of DemocracyReady NY and has been a driving force behind it. Ms. Wolff moved with Michael Rebell from the Campaign for Fiscal Equity to the Center for Educational Equity at its founding in 2005. She served as its policy and research director from 2005 to 2025 and has been a core leader of its work and strategic direction. Ms. Wolff was a longtime board member (and former board president) of the Children’s Museum of the Arts and is the parent of two NY public school graduates.

Thomas J. Ruller retired from his position as New York State Archivist, a role he held since 2015. An active professional for 35 years, he is the author of several peer-reviewed journal articles and reviews on the use of technology in Archives and the preservation of records in electronic form. Tom has been a consultant for several State governments and other organizations focusing on electronic records management and preservation. He remains actively engaged as a Board Member and Steward of the Archives Partnership Trust.