Spring Academy Featured Keynote Speakers

Tiffany Taylor

Tiffany Taylor is the Co-President and Partner at GVS Ventures, a female-led venture capital firm focusing on the education technology sector. With 20 years of experience spanning education, non-profit, and public sectors, Tiffany is dedicated to improving access to quality education and unlocking human potential. Her work aims to invest in and promote digital learning solutions across all age groups. In 2022, Microsoft recognized Tiffany as an inspiring civic leader in their Legacy Project, highlighting her as one of 30 African American changemakers.

Claudia Beeny

Dr. Claudia K. Beeny is the Founder and Executive Director of House of Shine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals discover and leverage their unique talents for the betterment of their communities. With over 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Beeny has devoted her career to igniting passion and energy in others. Through House of Shine, she and her team focus on developing confident, self-aware, and resilient leaders who understand the importance of their contributions to the world. Dr. Beeny's work aims to strengthen communities by empowering individuals to recognize and utilize their distinctive qualities.

Dr. Eleanor Smalley

Dr. Eleanor Smalley serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of JASON Learning, bringing decades of transformative educational leadership experience to the role. A passionate advocate for innovative learning models, Dr. Smalley previously served as Senior Project Director at the University of Virginia's Darden Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education, where she worked to align leadership and business practices between state and district superintendents. During her distinguished 30-year career in public education, including 12 years as Superintendent, Dr. Smalley established an impressive track record of student success.