Three of the country’s top education reformers have joined the Board of Directors of the Policy Innovators in Education (PIE) Network, which supports and connects 34 advocacy groups working to improve education across the country.

The new board members are:

• Denis Calabrese, president of the Laura and John Arnold Foundation in Houston, known for its major contributions to K–12 education reform. He is a public policy and communications expert who has advised government and corporate leaders and served as the Chief-of-Staff for a U. S. Congressman.
• Deborah McGriff is a partner at New Schools Venture Fund, where she leads the Academic Systems Initiative. Previously, she served as the first female General Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools before joining EdisonLearning, where she held several executive positions, including President of Edison Teachers College.
• Don Shalvey is Deputy Director for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Program Education Initiative. His 40 years in public education, including founding Aspire Public Schools, has made him a widely recognized leader in education reform and the charter school movement.

“Denis, Deborah, and Don are all extraordinary additions to our board,” said PIE Network Executive Director Suzanne Tacheny Kubach. “Our network has experienced dramatic growth this year as we see real progress being made on the state level in improving teacher effectiveness, raising accountability, and increasing options for families to find quality schools. Our new board members will help support our members are they continue working to ensure every child in their state receives a quality education.”

This addition of new members also marks the launch of PIE Network as an independent 401(c)(3) organization. The network was previously a project of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which continues to serve as one of five policy partners.

PIE Network is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that builds, supports, and promotes a network of education advocacy organizations working to improve K-12 education in their states and the nation. The network consists of 34 groups in 23 states and the District of Columbia.