FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. – June 30, 2025 – The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is excited to welcome Michael Sims as our new Chair of the Board of Directors and Tauheedah Jackson as the new Vice Chair.
Michael Sims, a seasoned executive and advocate for education-focused leadership, will now serve as IEL’s new Board Chair. Sims brings a wealth of experience and a steadfast commitment to IEL’s mission, currently serving as Vice President of Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis at Scholastic.
“I am humbled and excited to step into this role,” said Sims. “IEL has long stood at the forefront of preparing leaders who champion opportunity for all children, youth, and families. I am deeply aligned with the values of this incredible organization, and as Chair, I’m eager to help deepen our impact across the country.”
Joining him in leadership is Tauheedah Jackson, who will serve as Vice Chair. Jackson, the Deputy Director of EdRedesign Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Education, leads the Institute for Success Planning, and advances cradle-to-career community-based personalized systems of support and opportunity for all children and youth. Jackson previously worked at IEL and is nationally known for her transformative work in education, youth engagement, and building, scaling, and sustaining, cross-sector place-based initiatives.
“It’s an honor to take on this role at such a pivotal moment,” said Jackson. “IEL’s work is more important than ever, and I look forward to our continued evolution and commitment to supporting leaders at all levels as they continue to implement innovative strategies that lead to more positive outcomes in communities across the country.”
We give our thanks to two longtime and deeply valued board leaders, Dr. Stacy Holland and Lisa Nutter, for their years of dedicated service as Board Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Dr. Holland, an educator who most recently served as Board Chair, and Nutter, a passionate advocate for youth and communities, are stepping down from their board roles after their impactful tenures. Both played critical roles in steering IEL’s mission to cultivate leadership for better opportunities in education and communities.
“Serving on IEL’s Board has been a tremendous honor,” said exiting Chair Dr. Holland. “This organization’s commitment to systems change and leadership development is vital for our youth. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and confident in the direction IEL is heading as I pass the baton to our new Board Chair.”
Exiting Vice Chair Nutter added, “IEL is a special place that deeply understands how to elevate community voices and unlock pathways for young people. It has been a privilege to contribute to that vision and to support the extraordinary leaders who make it happen every day.”
IEL President Eddie Koen added, “Stacy and Lisa have left an indelible legacy on IEL. Their strategic insight and unwavering commitment to achieving better outcomes for youth have significantly elevated our mission and reach. As we welcome Mike and Tauheedah into their new leadership roles, I could not be more confident in our path forward. Their bold vision and deep community roots will ensure IEL continues to thrive as a national catalyst for educational leadership that centers the needs of all members of a school community, especially those who are historically underserved.”
We anticipate great things under the stewardship of our new Chair and Vice Chair as we expand partnerships and initiatives to meet the evolving needs of communities and education systems. IEL thanks all its board members, past and present, for their tireless work and vision.For more information about IEL’s Board of Directors, visit https://iel.org/about-iel/board.