40th Annual Leadership Summit
“Leading Now: AI, Readiness and Real Solutions for Today’s Schools”
Why Attending This Summit Matters
This Executive Leadership Summit brings together the people, priorities and tools shaping the work ahead across New York State. Commissioner Betty A. Rosa and the New York State Education Department leadership team, alongside experienced practitioners and industry experts, will engage directly with district leaders offering insight, clarity, meaningful dialogue and practical, actionable solutions to the issues shaping your work right now, including:
• Artificial Intelligence in Education – Practical application, leadership strategy and
instructional impact
• Portrait of a Graduate – Clear direction on statewide expectations, implementation timeline
and practical steps for district-level execution
• Performance-Based Learning and Assessment Networks (PLAN) – Exploring evolving
approaches to assessment and deeper learning
• Student Needs and Attendance – Strengthening systems of support and engagement
• Facilities, Infrastructure and Operations – Addressing long-term planning and sustainability
What You’ll Gain
Participants will leave with:
• Clearer direction on emerging statewide expectations and initiatives
• Practical strategies grounded in district experience
• Access to tools and resources that support implementation
• Insight into funding and operational opportunities that impact your bottom line
Real Tools. Real Support. Real Application.
This Summit connects you to partners bringing practical solutions, not presentations:
• NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority)
– Insight into funding opportunities, including significant investments supporting energy
efficiency, infrastructure upgrades and long-term cost savings for school districts
• OPTERRA Energy Services
– Strategies for identifying operational efficiencies, facility improvements and cost-saving
opportunities
• THiNKtech
– Tools that align curriculum, assessment and data to strengthen instruction and decision-making
• Pathful
– Career-connected learning and project-based experiences that support student readiness and
engagement
• Small City Coaching
– Leadership support and practical guidance for superintendents and district teams
Who Should Attend
This Summit is designed for district leadership teams:
• Superintendents
• Board Members
• CFOs / Business Officials
• Assistant Superintendents
• Pupil Personnel Services
• Instructional Leaders
Plan to Bring Your Team
Many of the topics addressed directly impact:
• Budget and financial planning
• Instructional strategy and alignment
• Student support systems
Districts are encouraged to attend as a team to maximize alignment and impact.
Be in the Room. This is a focused opportunity to gain clarity, access real tools and move your work forward with
purpose. ➡️Register today and ensure your district is represented.
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Brian Graham is a seasoned educational leader with more than 38 years of experience and currently serves in his tenth year as Superintendent of the Grand Island Central School District. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, having served as Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services in West Seneca, as well as a middle school principal, elementary principal and special education teacher. Dr. Graham is widely recognized for his forward-thinking leadership and his ability to translate innovation into impact. Under his direction, Grand Island has strategically integrated emerging technologies including Khanmigo, ChatGPT, Claude, NotebookLM, ThinkTech and ZeroEyes to enhance student engagement, strengthen school safety and elevate academic outcomes. A respected voice in the field, Dr. Graham is the host of two education-focused podcasts: Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, with more than 15,000 downloads, and Inspiring Viking Values, which highlights school culture and student success. He currently serves as President of the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association, where he collaborates with regional leaders to advance public education. Nationally, Dr. Graham is a sought-after presenter and consultant, specializing in strategic AI adoption, AI-enhanced curriculum design, leadership development and innovative approaches to school safety. Dr. Graham is actively leading conversations across the country on The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Education, equipping school leaders with the tools, strategies and vision needed to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape and to create inclusive, future-ready learning environments for all students.
Dr. Betty A. Rosa serves as the Commissioner of Education for New York State and President of the University of the State of New York, the system responsible for overseeing and coordinating education across the state. She was appointed as the permanent Commissioner in February 2021 by the Board of Regents, becoming the first Latina woman to hold this position. A nationally respected education leader, Dr. Rosa brings decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, school and district leadership and statewide policy. She began her career in New York City as a bilingual paraprofessional and teacher, later serving as a reading coordinator, assistant principal and principal in special education. She went on to serve as superintendent of Community School District 8 in the Bronx and later as Senior Superintendent, overseeing multiple districts. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, Dr. Rosa served as Chancellor of the Board of Regents from 2016 to 2020 and was first elected to the Board of Regents in 2008, representing the Bronx. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, Dr. Rosa served as Chancellor of the Board of Regents from 2016 to 2020 and was first elected to the Board of Regents in 2008, representing the Bronx. Dr. Rosa is widely recognized for her commitment to educational equity, access and excellence. Her leadership has focused on advancing opportunities for all students, particularly those in underserved communities, and strengthening systems that support culturally and linguistically diverse learners. She holds a Doctor of Education and Master of Education from Harvard University in Administration, Planning and Social Policy, along with additional graduate degrees in administration, supervision and bilingual education from the City University of New York. Throughout her career, Dr. Rosa has received numerous honors for her leadership and service, reflecting her enduring impact on education in New York State and beyond.
Dr. Jonah M. Schenker serves as District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of Ulster BOCES, a role he assumed in March 2023 following approval by the Ulster BOCES Board of Education and New York State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Betty A. Rosa. In this capacity, he also serves as the Commissioner’s representative, supporting and collaborating with the eight component school districts across the Ulster BOCES region. Dr. Schenker brings a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to educational leadership, grounded in a career that began in both urban and rural classrooms. His work has consistently focused on building non- traditional, sustainable school models and cultivating learning communities that prepare students and educators for the demands of a rapidly evolving world. His leadership was instrumental in his school being recognized as a White House Next Generation High School in 2016, a reflection of his commitment to innovation and future-ready education. That same year, he was awarded a Global Leadership Scholarship, providing him the opportunity to study high-performing education systems around the world and deepen his perspective on transformational leadership. Dr. Schenker’s philosophy centers on the power of people… the ability to listen, observe, communicate and organize in ways that unlock potential, foster growth and create space for meaningful reflection. He is deeply committed to empowering individuals to understand their value and operate effectively within their roles, strengthening both organizational culture and outcomes. Throughout his career, Dr. Schenker has led and supported the development of innovative school models across the country, helping systems rethink traditional structures, remove barriers and align practice with the needs of today’s learners. His work, informed by both national and international experience, continues to position school systems to adapt, evolve and lead in the face of uncertainty.