Meet the Team
DR. KATHY D'ANTONI
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership
WV Associate State Superintendent
Vice Chancellor, WV Community and Technical College System
Creator of the Simulated Workplace & HundrED National & International Innovation Award Recipient
President, National Association Tech Prep
Keynote Speaker at Four National Conferences
Inducted into the Marshall University Business School Hall of Fame
Technology Woman of the Year
aMY sTEWART
DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS
- Master of Educational and Instructional Leadership
- Master of Arts in Literature
- National Board Certified Teacher
- 7.5 years in project-based New Tech Network high school
- 7 years teaching embedded English in CTE Simulated Workplaces
- New Tech Network Exemplary Teacher and Train the Trainer PBL certifications
DR. KATHLEEN MCNALLY
CEO, NOCTI
- On the Empowerment Collaborative Design Team since its inception in 2019
- Instrumental in the ideation, pilot effort, and development of the Empowerment Collaborative model
- Former consultant & School Improvement Specialist for the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)
- Innovative, aspirational leader with over 35 years of experience in career and technical education (CTE) and workforce development.
Jan Hanlon
DIRECTOR, MOUNTAIN STATE ESC
- Over 30 years of experience as an educator, school administrator, and district-level CTE/Curriculum Director
- Executive Director of the Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative
- Skilled at fostering strong partnerships within the educational community
- Extensive professional network that advances the goals of the Empowerment Collaborative
TAMMY STOWERS
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR,
MOUNTAIN STATE ESC
Facilitates and manages grant reporting and management for the Empowerment Collaborative and Mountain State ESC
Managed over $20 million in federal and state grants at Mountain State ESC
Brings extensive expertise in educational grant administration
DR. JENNIFER DALE
IMPLEMENTATION & SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPERT,
K-12 SYSTEMS CHANGE SOLUTIONS, LLC
Co-founder of K-12 Systems Change Solutions, LLC, specializing in implementation science for school improvement
Supports leadership team in implementing the Empowerment Collaborative model
Former coordinator for instruction in special education in a Maryland LEA
Experienced in supervising special education teachers, conducting evaluations, professional development, and coaching
PAT GRAY
STATE SYSTEMS LIASON,
WV SYSTEMS COACH
- President of the Fayette County Board of Education, serving his 4th term
- President-Elect for the WV School Board Association
- Completed a six-year appointment to the WV Commission for Professional Teaching Standards
- Retired Associate Director from AT&T with 30+ years of corporate experience
- Holds a master’s degree in management and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- Lifelong learner and advocate for student growth and success
BARRY CRIST
ADMINISTRATIVE &
LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
- Works directly with Empowerment Collaborative schools to address administrative and implementation challenges
- Owner of an educational consulting business serving West Virginia schools
- Serves on the governing boards of Rainelle Medical Center and Bridge Valley Community and Technical College
- Began educational career as a special education teacher in 1986, with 24 years in education
