Inspired by her Ethics & Justice class, Katherine Salz ‘24 presents Reimagining Education: Speaker Panel on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 10-11 am to help bring awareness to the educational inequity within Marin County. The assembly, as part of her Junior Fellowship project, brings together a panel of educators and nonprofit leaders who are actively tackling this issue in our community. Panelists will share their perspectives on how to bridge the gap of educational disparity. Please come if you are at all interested in discovering the inner change-maker within yourself!
Parking will be available for this event on Tom Ryan Field. *This is a required event for Branson students, faculty, and staff, so no need to RSVP. Parents/guardians, we hope you'll join us!
Learn more about the panelists:
Michael Horn: Michael strives to create a world in which all individuals can build their passions and fulfill their potential through his writing, speaking, and work with a portfolio of education organizations. He is the award-winning author of several books, including the recently released From Reopen to Reinvent: (Re)creating School for Every Child and Choosing College, which is written for students and parents as they navigate the college process. He's an adjunct lecturer at Harvard; the founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute, a non-profit think tank; holds a BA in History from Yale and an MBA from Harvard Business School; and is family with Mr. Richards of Branson!
Nghiem Bui '07 Executive Director of Next Generation Scholars: As a once-undocumented refugee living in Marin’s low-income housing, Nghiem is the first NGS alum to become the organization’s next Executive Director. He has two decades of experience empowering underserved communities and inspiring those in the halls of power: leading orientation programming for first-generation students through the office of First Year Experience at Boston College; living and teaching abroad in Ecuador at El Centro del Muchacho Trabajador (Center for Working Families); earning his Master’s in Education from Northwestern University while teaching kindergarteners hailing from 10 different countries on the south side of Chicago; presenting both in Spanish and in Vietnamese as Assistant Director of Admissions at Marin Academy; building partnerships with BIPOC communities leading to landmark 22% jump in applications; and overseeing student programs and school-wide DEI initiatives, as Dean of Student Life at Live Oak School. He most recently served as NGS’ Director of Strategic College and Career Design, ensuring 100% of NGS’ scholars earned acceptances at 4-year universities. “I am the product of a transformative education; I have made it my life's work to ensure students like me have the same access to powerful, uplifting experiences.”
Lea Mixon, Bridge the Gap College Prep: Lea's history with Bridge the Gap College Prep goes back to her receiving support from Bridge the Gap in her elementary school days and continued through her completion of a degree in communications and Africana Studies. Lea graduated from Cal St. Northridge just two years ago and is serving our community by working as an after-school Middle School Site Coordinator. Born and raised in Marin City, she believes in giving back to her community not because she has to, but because it is her duty.
Richard Martinez, Canal Alliance: As Vice President of Programs, Richard oversees all Canal Alliance programs, including Education and Career, Immigration, Social Services, and Affordable Housing. In addition, he represents Canal Alliance on several local and regional coalitions including educational institutions, government agencies, and other policymakers to support program goals and achieve the organization's mission. A strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities for accelerated growth, scale, and sustainability, Richard brings 18+ years of experience and a successful track record of creating strategic alliances, revenue generation, social enterprise, social impact, and workforce development. He holds a BS in Industrial Technology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and an MBA from the University of San Francisco, combined with an entrepreneurial spirit.