Washington, D.C. — March 12, 2024 — Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of district and state education leaders dedicated to advocating for transformative policies and fostering bold leadership in public education, proudly announces the addition of four esteemed education leaders to its membership following the organization’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Joining the network are Dr. James Gray, superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools (La.); Dr. Khalid Mumin, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Dr. Deirdre Pilch, superintendent of Greeley-Evans School District 6 (Colo.); and Dr. W. Burke Royster, superintendent of Greenville County Schools (S.C.).
“We are thrilled to welcome Drs. James Gray, W. Burke Royster, Khalid Mumin and Deirdre Pilch to Chiefs for Change,” said Bob Runcie, chief executive officer of Chiefs for Change. “Their dedication to student success, commitment to equity, and proven track records of innovation make them valuable additions to our network of bold education leaders. Their joining underscores the power of peer partnerships, the strength of the CFC network and the impactful work they will perform on behalf of students across the country.”
Dr. James Gray serves as the superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools, Louisiana’s largest public school system, encompassing approximately 47,000 students across 74 schools. Under his visionary leadership, Dr. Gray spearheaded initiatives such as the Jefferson Summer Bridge program to combat learning loss, established an Early Warning System for at-risk students, and achieved significant improvements in district performance metrics. Dr. Gray earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Dr. Khalid Mumin, currently the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, brings over 25 years of experience in education leadership to Chiefs for Change. Previously, he served as superintendent of the Lower Merion School District and the Reading School District. His dedication to promoting student achievement and equitable access to education aligns seamlessly with the mission of fostering bold leadership in public education.
Dr. Deirdre Pilch leads the Greeley-Evans School District 6 in Colorado, where she is committed to ensuring every student graduates with the skills necessary for success in college and careers. With over 30 years of experience in public education, Dr. Pilch’s advocacy for equity and consensus-driven decision-making enriches the community of education leaders.
Dr. W. Burke Royster is the superintendent of Greenville County Schools in South Carolina, overseeing the education of more than 77,000 students. His leadership has been instrumental in enhancing graduation rates and ensuring student preparedness for college and careers through initiatives like Graduation Plus. Dr. Royster’s commitment to educational excellence has earned him numerous accolades, including recognition as the South Carolina Association of School Administrators’ 2018 Superintendent of the Year.
Chiefs for Change looks forward to collaborating with these distinguished leaders to drive positive change and improve outcomes for all students across the nation. To learn more about our members, visit our website at chiefsforchange.org.
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About Chiefs for Change
Chiefs for Change is a nonprofit, bipartisan network of diverse state and district education chiefs dedicated to preparing all students for today’s and tomorrow’s world through deeply committed leadership. Chiefs for Change advocates for policies and practices that make a difference for students and advance next-generation leadership among chiefs and their teams. For more information, visit chiefsforchange.org.
