Shifting

Foreword by Kimberly Davis

Kirsten Richert is an innovation expert who works with leaders on transformational efforts. Kirsten teaches design thinking, communication, and innovation at a number of colleges in the greater NYC area. Her teaching draws upon her experience in three core disciplines: business management, ideation methodology, and facilitation. She received her undergraduate degree in social science from Hampshire College, her master's degree in social studies education from Teachers College at Columbia University, and her training in innovation and facilitation methods from SIT (Systematic Inventive Thinking) and ToP (Technology of Participation). Formerly vice president of product management and marketing at Pearson, the world's leading educational publisher, Kirsten oversaw the creation of breakthrough "digital-first" K-12 curriculum. Trained as a corporate on-call innovation coach, she's helped teams plan new efforts, generate ideas, and execute on strategies. Now, as an innovation catalyst, Kirsten guides change efforts for organizations, especially in the areas of education and human development. She is particularly interested in organizations that integrate the arts into their work towards social change, such as the Alliance for Arts and Health New Jersey, Real Beauty: Uncovered, and The Barat Foundation. Jeff Ikler is director of Quetico Career and Leadership Coaching, a firm dedicated to helping individuals overcome career issues and leaders develop sustained changes in their leadership practices and organizations. He received his certificate in coaching from the Coach Training Institute, a firm recognized as one of the leading coach-training organizations in the world. His approach blends data-driven coaching and consulting informed by working for more than thirty-five years in the corporate world. Jeff holds a master's in the teaching of history, along with a bachelor's in history, from the University of Illinois. He taught high school history in Maywood and Batavia, Illinois, for seven years. Like Kirsten, he is a certified innovation facilitator using the SIT (systematic inventive thinking) process. He is a former executive vice president at Pearson Learning where he directed the development of text- and technology-based products for all disciplines. He finished his career at Pearson by leading the development of its multidimensional Leadership Development program for school administrators, working closely with authors Lyle Kirtman and Michael Fullan. He currently works with Lyle Kirtman to support change in school districts and nonprofit organizations. Jeff and Kirsten also cohost Getting Unstuck-Shift for Impact, a podcast that helps individuals and organizations identify and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of implementing changes that lead toward achieving desired results and impact. Margaret Zacchei is an innovative educational leader and consultant with twenty-five years of experience as an elementary principal and teacher. Through Margaret's leadership and engagement of staff, the school where she was principal until 2017 received the highest recognition for achievement by the Connecticut Department of Education in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. Margaret's leadership style can be summarized in three words: collaboration, communication, and community. Throughout her career, she has engaged teachers, students, parents, and fellow administrators to collaboratively define problems and implement practical solutions that achieve sustainable school improvement. Margaret is currently serving as a consultant and coach to school districts and administrations, sharing her experiences and perspective as a leader and change agent to help them achieve their goals. She is also coaching aspiring leaders enrolled in the University of Connecticut's administrator preparation program as they complete a two-year internship program in various districts in the state.