The Churn

Jenna Conway, current chief of early learning and specialized populations at the Virginia Department of Education, has been appointed as the next Virginia state superintendent of public instruction. Connor Andrews, director of state government relations at the University of Virginia, will be deputy secretary of education.

Kamar Samuels, veteran leader in the New York City public education system and most recently superintendent of District 3 in Manhattan, has been appointed NYC schools chancellor.

Nadja Young, previously senior director of SAS SLED (State, Local and Education Division), is now chief brand officer at MetaMetrics, Inc.

Amber Oliver, former managing director of the learning and technology fund at Robin Hood, is now senior advisor at Walton Family Foundation.

Dr. Zoë Stemm-Calderon, senior director of youth serving systems at the Raikes Foundation, will serve as executive director starting in January 2026.

Lesley Searcy, chief growth officer at Step Up for Students, will join Children’s Scholarship Fund as vice president, head of federal scholarship tax credit in January 2026.

Courtney Lundquist, former program officer at Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, will join The Joyce Foundation as a program officer in January 2026.

Abigail Rhim, former policy analyst at the National Governor’s Association, is now a manager at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.