Our Chiefs for Change members are starting 2026 off strong. Here’s a snapshot of how our members are being recognized for their contributions to public education and service to students across the country.
Outstanding Superintendent of the Year
Birmingham City Schools Superintendent and Chiefs for Change member Dr. Mark Sullivan was selected as the Alabama Education Association’s 2025-26 Outstanding Superintendent of the Year.
Sullivan, superintendent since 2020, received the award following a vote by his peers recognizing his professional achievement, innovation, efforts to promote public education, and leadership that enhances educators’ image.
“I’m honored to be recognized by my peers and the Alabama Education Association,” Dr. Sullivan said. “But no single individual can take credit for the growing success of Birmingham City Schools. What’s happening here is the result of a school board that continues to set the right tone, a faculty and staff laser-focused on getting results, students and families doing their part, and a city and community that have invested in our schools like never before.”
Excellence in Family Engagement Award
The American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the School Superintendents Association, and the National Parent Teacher Association announced Dr. Adrienne Battle, Chiefs for Change member and Superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools, as the winner of this year’s Excellence in Family Engagement Award!
The award celebrates excellence in family-school partnerships and recognizes superintendents who have implemented exemplary best practices to integrate family engagement across strategic plans, budgets, and district infrastructure.
“Superintendent Battle has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing family engagement as a cornerstone of student success. She has helped create lasting connections between schools, families, and the communities they serve,” said David R. Schuler, executive director of AASA. “Her work reflects a core tenet of public education: that strong relationships, trust, and shared responsibility between schools and families create better outcomes for students and stronger communities.”
Achievement in Management– Government
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network selected Chiefs for Change member and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper as one of the 2026 Pinnacle Awards honorees for Achievement in Management – Government.
The annual Pinnacle Awards are one of the region’s highest professional distinctions for women leaders, recognizing their achievements in business, government, and management. This prestigious award recognizes Superintendent Skipper’s leadership and her commitment to building a stronger, more equitable school district for Boston’s students, families, and educators.
