Washington, D.C. — June 11, 2025 — Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of state and district education leaders committed to advancing bold leadership and evidence-based policies in public education, proudly announces the addition of nine outstanding leaders to its national network.
The newest members of Chiefs for Change are:
- Kimberlee Armstrong, superintendent of Portland Public Schools (Ore.)
- Francisco Durán, superintendent of Arlington Public Schools (Va.)
- Russell Johnston, superintendent of Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (Pa.)
- David Lawrence, superintendent of Dayton Public Schools (Ohio)
- Rachel Monárrez, superintendent of Worcester Public Schools (Mass.)
- Matt Montaño, superintendent of Bernalillo Public Schools (N.M.)
- Warren Morgan, CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan School District (Ohio)
- Justin Robertson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools (Tenn.)
- Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District (Mich.)
“We are proud to welcome these dynamic and visionary leaders to Chiefs for Change,” said Chiefs for Change CEO Bob Runcie. “Each of them brings a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and student success. Their experience and leadership will strengthen our network and accelerate the work of transforming public education across the country.”
Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong, superintendent of Portland Public Schools, leads Oregon’s largest school district with a focus on equity, inclusive learning environments, and student-centered practices.
Dr. Francisco Durán serves as superintendent of Arlington Public Schools in Virginia, where he has led districtwide equity initiatives, expanded mental health supports, and advanced high-impact academic strategies.
Dr. Russell Johnston, superintendent of Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in Pennsylvania, brings years of experience from state-level education leadership and a strong track record in inclusive instructional design and systems improvement.
Dr. David Lawrence leads Dayton Public Schools in Ohio, where he is focused on elevating academic achievement, career pathways, and family engagement in one of the state’s most diverse urban districts.
Dr. Rachel Monárrez, superintendent of Worcester Public Schools in Massachusetts, is driving districtwide transformation with a focus on multilingual learners, culturally affirming practices, and community collaboration.
Matt Montaño, superintendent of Bernalillo Public Schools in New Mexico, is recognized for his work in expanding bilingual education, strengthening rural school systems, and engaging Native communities in public education.
Dr. Warren Morgan, CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, is a former chief academic officer and White House fellow whose leadership centers on whole-child development and dismantling systemic inequities.
Dr. Justin Robertson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools in Tennessee, has championed workforce development, student voice, and teacher pipeline innovation to support student achievement and district growth.
Dr. Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District, has led the revitalization of Michigan’s largest school district through reforms in literacy, transparency, and community engagement.
Chiefs for Change looks forward to working alongside these leaders as they bring bold, student-centered change to their communities and contribute to a stronger public education system nationwide.
To learn more about our members and their work, visit 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.
