Making Schools Work Conference Keynote and Featured Speakers
See Our 2026 Keynote and Featured Speakers
Every year, we have a keynote address at both of our general sessions. We also have featured speakers throughout the conference, two each on both Wednesday and Thursday morning and afternoon.
You can see the caliber of speakers we will have at the 2026 Making Schools Work Conference by checking out our keynote and featured speakers below.
Kim Strobel
Tuesday Keynote Speaker
Kim Strobel is a renowned motivational speaker with a global reach, inspiring schools, businesses and organizations to prioritize happiness and strive for greater fulfillment in life. With her powerful presence and expertise, Kim acts as an influencer, consultant and author, transforming the way institutions focus on well-being. By teaching individuals how to reclaim happiness, ignite their passion and lead with purpose, Kim’s refreshing “real talk” approach allows her to connect authentically with audiences worldwide.
John W. Hodge
Thursday Keynote Speaker
John W. Hodge stands out as one of America’s most sought-after speakers in K-12 education. He is renowned for his ability to transform research into practical strategies for academic success. His journey in education began after serving with distinction in the 7th Infantry Division of the United States Army, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to empowering educators and students.
Natasha Brown
Wednesday Morning Featured Speaker
Natasha Brown is an experienced school leader with more than 20 years in public education. She is known for leading transformative change through a focus on instructional excellence, collaborative practices and student-centered systems.
Thomas C. Murray
Wednesday Morning Featured Speaker
After serving as a teacher and principal at both the elementary and secondary levels, and then working at the district office, Thomas C. Murray now serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools, a project of All4Ed in Washington, D.C.
Baruti Kafele
Wednesday Afternoon Featured Speaker
A highly-regarded urban educator in New Jersey for over twenty years, Principal Baruti Kafele distinguished himself as a master teacher and a transformational school leader.
As an elementary school teacher in East Orange, NJ, he was selected as the East Orange School District and Essex County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and New Jersey State Teacher of the Year finalist.
Tony Johnson
Thursday Morning Featured Speaker
Tony D. Johnson is the President and CEO of Captivate Perspectives and Chancellor of The Institute for Lifelong Learning & Workforce Innovation. He oversees strategic planning, education and training development, project management, and fiscal operations while driving long-range growth initiatives and organizational effectiveness.
Betsy Wills
Thursday Morning Featured Speaker
Betsy Wills is the co-founder of YouScience, the leading aptitude-based career discovery platform now used in 25% of U.S. high schools and more than 600 colleges and universities. She is also the author of Your Hidden Genius (HarperCollins, 2025), which translates decades of research into practical tools for uncovering and applying natural talents.
Marck Abraham
Thursday Afternoon Featured Speaker
Marck Abraham is the founder and
CEO of MEA Consultants, LLC, a fast-growing consultancy he
designed to help poorly performing schools and organizations
increase achievement for all students, especially young men of
color.
Nicole Cobb
Thursday Afternoon Featured Speaker
Nicole Cobb is a professor in the College of Education at Vanderbilt University. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt, she served as Executive Director of School Counseling for the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. She has worked in education for 25 years as a teacher, school counselor and administrator. Her research and field-facing work examines how schools structure student support systems including MTSS, SEL, restorative practices, and small-learning community frameworks.