“Schools opened doors for me that generational poverty tried to keep shut. Every student deserves that same chance. I partner with leaders who refuse to accept inequity as a reality and are committed to redesigning systems so opportunity is not accidental, but intentional.”

Heather Gold, Ed.D.

Dr. Heather Gold is the Chief Learning Officer for a charter management organization, overseeing learning, systems, and accountability across nine TK-12 schools serving 6,000 students across 20 sites and three counties. She is the founder of Learning RedesignED and serves as the K-12 representative on the National Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Society.

With 20 years of experience leading across PK-16 schools including traditional public schools, charter schools, and diverse models including hybrid, independent study, virtual, and home learning programs, Heather brings a systems-level perspective shaped by real implementation. She holds an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and specializes in AI integration, MTSS redesign, Science of Reading implementation, and leadership development. She's also an instructor for new teachers and mentor to administrators.

She's co-author of Leading AI in Schools: Your K-12 Roadmap When You Don't Have All the Answers, a LETRS facilitator, and a trusted advisor to districts and county offices navigating complex change. Her approach is direct, practical, and grounded in what actually works, not what sounds good in a slide deck.

Based in Auburn, California, Heather balances leading transformation with gardening, paddle boarding, and hanging out with her husband and Bengal cat.

Ann Veu, Ed.D.

Dr. Ann Veu is an educational leader with over 20 years of experience across the PK-16 landscape. She specializes in assessing organizational readiness and designing inclusive learning systems that integrate social-emotional learning with culturally responsive teaching practices. Throughout her career as a National Board Certified teacher, principal, and leader at the district and county office levels, Ann has been a champion for collaborative growth, notably leading Professional Learning Communities to scale instructional innovation and sustain holistic teaching frameworks.

Leveraging her background in overseeing teacher preparation and residency programs, Ann is highly adept at navigating California’s educational ecosystems to build supportive educator pathways. As a certified practitioner in Trauma-Informed and Somatic Sound Therapy, she bridges the gap between strategic leadership and nervous system regulation. She offers wellness strategies tailored for high-stress professional environments, rooted in the belief that when the adults in a system are regulated, students and communities flourish.