Suzanne Tacheny Kubach, PhD, was the founding executive director of the Policy Innovators in Education (PIE) Network. At the time of her transition, the network connected over 100 state-based education reform organizations from 35 states and D.C. along with over 20 national partner organizations. Suzanne brings extensive experience both sides of the education policy-making dais, as state board member and as an advocate. She also served on the boards of the Guthrie Theater and the Everwood Farmstead Foundation. Formerly a gubernatorial appointee to the California State Board of Education, Suzanne led policy work guiding California’s accountability system (2001-2005), the adoption of statewide testing contracts, and NCLB implementation. She also championed innovations in score reporting. Suzanne also led a statewide organization of leading businesses advocating to improve standards and accountability in California schools (2000-2004). She has experience in the administration of California’s largest school district and parent and community organizing. She previously served as a member on the boards of WestEd and the California Theater for Children, and later chaired the board for KIPP Minnesota. A nationally recognized education leader, she has been published in the Huffington Post, Education Week, the LA Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, Educational Leadership, and various business journals. She earned a Doctorate in Education Policy from the University of Southern California and was distinguished as a USC Presidential Fellow. She holds a BA in communications from the University of Minnesota. Suzanne currently lives in Minneapolis where she consults as her expertise is needed. She is also a working artist. (Follow on IG @suztach)