AI and Educational Leadership: Driving Innovation and Equity

Mike Gadsby is the Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at O3, a Philadelphia-based digital consultancy specializing in creating exceptional customer experiences (CX). As an AI strategist with over 25 years of experience, Mike has advised everyone from dynamic startups to global brands, including Comcast, Aramark, Vanguard, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Passionate about the future of technology, Mike leads O3’s innovation and AI practice, helping businesses harness the power of AI. A frequent speaker and educator, Mike shares his insights at industry events nationwide, focusing on how AI can transform experiences. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Mike also teaches and guest lectures on entrepreneurship and the future of customer experience, inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Victoria Pu is the CEO of Pace AI—an AI-native English language learning platform that transforms any content into personalized lessons tailored to different student levels and unique pain points. She previously worked in applied Machine Learning (ML) and computational economics at Microsoft Research and was named a 2020 Rising Star in AI for Social Impact by Harvard University’s Center for Research on Computation and Society, for her work on applied Bayesian ML. Before that, Victoria received her BA/MS from Stanford University, where she conducted research at the intersection of ML and market design under the advisement of Nobel Laureate Paul Milgrom. Today, Victoria and the Pace AI team are building to empower adult English language learners to unlock economic opportunity through context-relevant language training. Pace AI partners with community colleges, school districts, and immigrant education programs across the U.S. to scale teacher and student impact through AI-driven personalization and support for diverse learners.

Nneka McGee taught middle school mathematics for six years and was recognized as a district finalist for teacher of the year. Nneka has also served as District Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Director of GT and Advanced Academics, Executive Director for Learning and Innovation, and as Chief Academic Officer. As part of her doctoral studies, Nneka completed research on the impact of artificial intelligence in K-12 learning environments. She has shared her work as a panelist or presenter at local, state, regional, and national conferences.

Megan has supported teachers in implementing emerging technologies in research-aligned ways for over a decade. Most recently, Megan worked to build professional development and community for teachers as the Director of Learning Design at Amira, an AI platform that leverages the science of reading to tutor young readers. Previously, Megan grew her instructional design skills at Digital Promise and Newsela, focusing on helping teachers incorporate social emotional learning and culturally responsive pedagogy into effective reading and writing instruction with cutting-edge technology. Prior to becoming a learning designer, Megan was an elementary educator in Memphis, TN where she experienced first-hand the power of inquiry-based learning and student-centered instruction. Megan received her MS in Digital Age Learning and Educational Technology from Johns Hopkins University, and her BSW in Social Work from the University of Portland.