Board of Directors

Education Northwest is governed by a board of directors from the Northwest region comprising Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The board includes chief state school officers and their representatives from the five Northwest states; representatives of Education Northwest member institutions, including public and private schools, professional associations, school districts, higher education institutions, and state boards of education; and others appointed to represent both educator and noneducator constituent groups.

Debra Clemens
Superintendent,
North Thurston Public Schools

Debra Clemens

Chairperson

Dr. Debra J. Clemens is the superintendent of North Thurston Public Schools, located in the South Sound region of Washington and serving students from the cities of Lacey and Olympia. Under her leadership the district has implemented a comprehensive strategic plan and has achieved all-time high graduation rates. In 2020 the community approved a record $275 million bond package to modernize several schools!

Deb has been an educator for more than 25 years, beginning her career as a teacher in Wisconsin. Her formal education includes an MBA and Ph.D. from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, as well as principal and superintendent credentials from Washington State University.

Board of Directors

  • Mark Witty
    Mark Witty
    Co Chairperson

    Educational Consultant, Oregon

  • Alexander Ator
    Alexander Ator
    Secretary/Treasurer

    Superintendent, Roberts K–12 Schools

  • Carol Wren
    Carol Wren
    Member-at-Large

    Vice President, Shareholder Development Bristol Bay Native Corporation

  • Sharyl Allen
    Sharyl Allen

    Deputy Superintendent, Montana Office of Public Instruction

  • Bruce Bell
    Bruce Bell

    Principal, Ben Eielson JR/SR High School

  • Bryce Coefield
    Bryce Coefield

    Deputy Director, Oregon Department of Education

  • Aleksandra Hollingshead
    Aleksandra Hollingshead

    Associate Professor, University of Idaho

  • Kelly Manning
    Kelly Manning

    Deputy Director, Alaska Department of Education

  • Maegan Rides at the Door
    Maegan Rides at the Door

    Director, National Native Children's Trauma Center

  • Jeff Strickler
    Jeff Strickler

    Retired Executive, NWEA and Education Northwest