Debbie Zacarian is known for her expertise in strengths-based leadership, instructional practices, and partnerships with culturally and linguistically diverse student and family populations. As founder of Zacarian & Associates and with more than three decades of combined experience as a district administrator, University of Massachusetts-Amherst faculty member, and educational service leader, she provides sustained policy and practice supports for educators that help them work more successfully with diverse student and family populations to strengthen achievement and outcomes. Her work credo is "achievement through access, equity, and engagement."

Zacarian was the founder and director of the Center for English Language Education and Advancing Student Achievement at the Collaborative for Educational Services. As founding director of Amherst Public Schools bilingual and English learner program, she and the district received many local, state, and national honors for its work with English learners. Zacarian has authored multiple books and more than 100 journal articles and educational policies for urban, suburban, and rural districts and state agencies.

Lourdes Alvarez-Ortiz is a highly accomplished bilingual/bicultural school psychologist with more than two decades of experience working in inner-city school districts serving culturally and linguistically diverse student and family populations.

She is committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for all students and their families, especially to those who are underserved and who come from culturally, economically, and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In addition to her expertise assessing and supporting students' social-emotional and academic growth, she supports teachers and administrators in their efforts to optimize students' potential, work successfully with families, and use culturally responsive practices.

Working in partnership with public school districts, Alvarez-Ortiz has successfully pioneered innovative education reform initiatives targeted at improving opportunities and outcomes for students, schools, and districts deemed at risk of failure. This includes directing a team of professionals in the implementation of a comprehensive school turnaround initiative at William Dean Technical High School, the first in its category in the state of MA.