Our Guest, Dr. Marvin Lynn, Dean of the School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) at the University of Colorado Denver, has enjoyed a robust career as a teacher, scholar, public university administrator, and artist. SEHD is a statewide and national leader for education quality and access across the education and human development lifespan. It is the largest graduate school of its kind in Colorado and is highly regarded for its high-quality academic programs that demonstrate evidence of a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Dr. Lynn earned his bachelor’s in Elementary Education from DePaul University in Chicago and a master’s in Curriculum & Teaching from Teachers College-Columbia University. He started his career as an elementary teacher in New York City Public Schools and Chicago Public Schools. He went on to earn his PhD in Race and Ethnic Studies in Education from University of California, Los Angeles. Before his arrival at CU Denver in June of 2022, he served as dean and professor of education at Portland State University and Indiana University South Bend.

Dean Lynn is one of the most highly cited researchers in the nation. His research focuses on race, education, the work and lives of Black male educators, and best practices for advancing teacher diversity in the United States. Dr. Lynn is quoted regularly in local, national, and international news stories. His research has been recognized by the American Educational Research Association, and the University of the Free State in South Africa.

At the national level, he has served as an Executive Board Member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the Carnegie Project for the Education Doctorate (CPED), and the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP). At the state level, Dean Lynn serves as the Co-Chair for the Colorado Deans of Colleges of Education (CCODE) and is the inaugural Chair of the Colorado Educator Preparation Advisory (CPEAC). CPEAC is part of Colorado statute.

Dr. Lynn is also an accomplished singer—performing in a variety of genres including classical and gospel. He has performed with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Opera Company, the Soul Children of Chicago, Rev. Clay Evans, the Fellowship Baptist Church, and others. He is the founder of the South Shore Opera Company of Chicago where he has also performed regularly.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

Sponsor: Patriox oxygenated water. Drinking Patriox helps oxygenate the body, promoting overall health, energy, and vitality. Receive a 10% discount on your next purchase with the code EDUPXE.

Resources:

EDUP The Experience

Greeting: Eric Almonte

Research Assistant: Emma Worthington

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Listen!

Are you listening?

This is Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP, host of the EDUP Xcelerated Excellence podcast where we seek to advance educational excellence and equity.

What if the key to educational excellence isn't just what we teach, but how well we listen?

Listening isn't just about hearing words—it's about understanding perspectives, building trust, and creating spaces where every voice matters. When educators truly listen to students, families, and communities, we unlock pathways to excellence and equity that transform lives.

Join us as we engage with thought leaders, practitioners, andchange makers who are advancing educational excellence through authentic and meaningful dialogue.

Tune in to EDUP Xcelerated Excellence—because when we listen, we learn, and when we learn together, we create lasting change.

Our Guest, Bryce Jhourdyn Thompson, is an educator, mentor, and emerging school leader committed to creating equitable, student-centered learning environments. He began my journey in education as a Future Teachers of Excellence Fellow (Cohort ’21), where he developed a strong foundation in culturally responsive teaching and a deep commitment to uplifting the communities he serves.

In 2025, he had the honor of speaking at the Black Men in Education Convening (BMEC), an experience that further shaped his perspective on representation, leadership, and the power of authentic storytelling within the profession. Bryce recounts, “Sharing my voice at BMEC strengthened my commitment to advocating for spaces where students and educators feel seen, valued, and supported.”

He currently pursuing certification in Elementary Education and Social Studies, along with his master’s degree, as part of his long-term goal to transition into school leadership. Bryce’s work is guided by a vision of building strong school cultures, expanding youth mentorship opportunities, and advocating for mental health supports that center the well-being of students.

At his core, he driven by community and purpose. Bryce’s goal is to be a consistent, positive presence, a leader who inspires trust, champions opportunity, and helps create schools where every student has the chance to thrive. Bryce shares, “I seeeducation as both a responsibility and a calling, and I’m committed to using my voice, my story, and my leadership to make a meaningful impact.”

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

Sponsor: Patriox oxygenated water. Drinking Patriox helps oxygenate the body, promoting overall health, energy, and vitality. Receive a 10% discount on your next purchase with the code EDUPXE.

Resources:

• EDUP The Experience
• The Center for Black Educator Development
• St Ignatious Loyola Academy

Greeting: Jamal Watson

Research Assistant: Emma Worthington

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our Guest, Marlene Megos, is the founder and CEO of Equate Education, a data-driven platform supporting educator preparation programs with a focus on residency and apprenticeships. With over 30 years of experience from classroom to state level educational leadership, she developed and led one of Connecticut’s first residency and registered teacher apprenticeship programs, raising over $4.2 million dollars and serving over 120 new educators.

Marlene’s work focuses on solving the educator shortage by streamlining candidate tracking, mentorship, and certification processes through innovative data tools. She also provides fractional leadership and strategic support to schools and nonprofits through FractionalED Partners.

Marlene is passionate about creating sustainable pathways for aspiring educators, rethinking staffing models, and building communities of practice that foster long-term retention and success. She is blessed by a large family and twin high school aged daughters, Morgan and Avery, and fills any remaining time with a love for the outdoors and movement!

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

Sponsor: Patriox oxygenated water. Drinking Patriox helps oxygenate the body, promoting overall health, energy, and vitality. Receive a 10% discount on your next purchase with the code EDUPXE.

Resources:

EDUPThe Experience

Greeting: Jamal Watson

Research Assistant: Emma Worthington

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our Guest, Anna Young, founder of Sunnyside Literacy Lab, started her career with Teach for America and has worked in education as a humanities teacher, special educator, and academic interventionist. She currently supervises graduate students at CUNY Hunter College.

She earned a B.A. in Political Science from McGill University and an M.S. in Adolescent Special Education from CUNY Hunter College. She is certified in the Orton-Gillingham method, a structured literacy approach to reading instruction.

In 2024, she founded Sunnyside Literacy Lab. The mission of Sunnyside Literacy Lab is to provide accessible, high-quality educational services directly to families and empower families to support their children outside of school.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

Sponsor: Patriox oxygenated water. Drinking Patriox helps oxygenate the body, promoting overall health, energy, and vitality. Receive a 10% discount on your next purchase with the code EDUPXE.

Resources:

EDUP The Experience

Greeting: Jamal Watson

Research Assistant: Emma Worthington

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our Guest, Dr. Christopher Bonn, is President and CEO of BonFire Leadership Solutions. He is a celebrated educator, leadership coach, author, college professor, and musician. With over 35 years of experience, he has led institutional turnarounds, inspired educators worldwide, and createdculturally resonant music that spans languages and borders.

As a Tribal Adjudication Certified Professional, Dr. Bonn is a trusted advisor to Navajo Nation, White Mountain Apache, San Carlos Apache, Pascua Yaqui, Lipan Apache, and Tohono O’odham school systems. He guides these and other rural districts—such as those in Rio Rancho, New Mexico—through Continuous School Improvement Plans, One Plan implementation, Cognia Accreditation, and exiting academic and financial sanctions. His deep preference is to serve tribal and rural school districts, where his leadership strengthens academics, human resources, and organizationalefficiency.

Dr. Bonn’s global footprint includes extensive work in Mexico, Latin America, Canada, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Poland, and Israel, where his culturally informedleadership and training have shaped educational strategies across diverse contexts.

Building on this foundation, Dr. Bonn has been recently invited to speak in China, Thailand, Ireland, and Dubai in the upcoming months, further expanding his international reach and influence as a keynote speaker and advisor.

As a bilingual innovator in AI EdTech, Dr. Bonn has contributed to the development of tools for Special Education and English Language Acquisition, integrating AI, machine learning, and automation to expand access and effectiveness. Concurrently, he serves as a college professor, mentoring future educators and amplifying his impact through teaching and training.

Through BonFire Leadership Solutions, Dr. Bonn continues to empower tribal nations, rural school districts, and international institutions, weaving cultural awareness with transformativeleadership. Whether in Arizona, Alaska, or across the globe, his work embodies the principle that every community deserves academic equity, inspired leadership, and a lasting legacy of success.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.

Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

Resources:

EDUP The Experience

Xcelerated Excellence Consulting

Greeting: Joel Nomdarkham

Research Assistant: Emma Worthington

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Thanks, Santa, for helping us at EDUP Xcelerated Excellence, spread cheer and joy.

Our Guest, Michelle Maslowski, MBA, CFRE, is Managing Director, Carter. With over 15 years of experience as a senior development leader in the nonprofit sector, Michelle, has a proven track record of developing and executing high-impactfundraising strategies that result in transformational gifts and long-term donor engagement.

As Managing Director at Carter, Michelle specializes in building and enhancing fundraising programs that drive sustainable growth and long-term success for nonprofits. She brings deep expertise in major gifts, planned and annual giving, and in building successful grateful patient and alumni programs—helping organizations cultivate, solicit, and steward high-impact donors to maximize philanthropic support. Her experience in strategic planning ensures that organizations have clear, actionable roadmaps to achieve their fundraising and mission-driven goals. Michelle also provides campaign planning guidance, assisting nonprofits in launching and executing capital, comprehensive, and special fundraising initiatives. Additionally, she supports board engagement, helping nonprofit boards strengthen their partnership in philanthropy and overall impact on the organization’s success.

Most recently, Michelle served as the Associate Vice President, Individual Philanthropy for Moffitt Cancer Center, providing oversight and direction for the principal gifts, major gifts, and planned and annual giving programs, as well as advancing theFoundation’s 10-year strategic plan. In addition, Michelle has held key leadership roles in two highly successful comprehensive campaigns, including Drexel University’s $455 million "Dream It. Do It. Drexel. A Campaign for the Future."and Jefferson Health’s $1 billion "Reimagine: The Campaign for Jefferson." Her experience in managing large-scale fundraising initiatives, donor engagement strategies, and campaign execution positions her as a trusted advisor for organizations seeking to strengthen their philanthropic efforts.

Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business administration from Drexel University. While at Drexel, Michelle was a standout basketball player. When she graduated, she was Drexel’s all-time leading scorer, with over 1,900 points scored, and still ranks as Drexel’s second all-time leading scorer. She then played basketball professionally throughout Europe for 10 years.

Michelle and her husband, Joe, live in Bradenton, Florida. She enjoys traveling, Pilates, yoga, biking, and anything outdoors.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF.

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

Resources:

EDUP The Experience

Greeting: Joel Nomdarkham

Research Assistant: Emma Worthington

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY