Our Leadership
Meet NWEA's leaders: our executive officers and board of directors.
Executive Officers
- Matt Chapman - President & Chief Executive Officer
- Jeff Strickler - Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
- Ginger Hopkins - Senior Vice President for International Partnerships
- Jill Hedrick - Vice President of Partner Accounts
- Suketu Pandya - Chief Technology Officer
- Donna Schultz - Vice President of Product Management, Marketing and Test Services
- Anne J. Udall - Vice President of Professional Development
- Steven Wise - Vice President of Research and Development
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Raymond Yeagley - Vice President & Chief Academic Officer
Board of Directors
- Dr. Bart Anderson
- Dr. Jim Angermeyr
- Ronald Blocker
- Lynn Fielding
- Darlene Hooley
- Dr. Philip A. Streifer
- Dr. Brenda M. Tanner
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Executive Officers
Matt Chapman
President & Chief Executive Officer
As President and CEO, Matt Chapman leads the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) in achieving its vision for kid-centric education based on comprehensive and accurate data.
Matt has combined business careers with a volunteer career focused on education. Matt co-founded a program for street youth that includes an award-winning alternative school. Matt served on the board of OMSI, focusing on its strategic plan and programs for distance learning in science. As a regent for the University of Portland, he also serves as a mentor for students in the entrepreneurship program.
Matt practiced law for 13 years, and then became CEO of CFI ProServices, Inc., a publicly traded company where he served for 13 years. CFI received recognition in local and national lists of rapidly growing companies, and was listed as one of the 100 best places to work in Oregon four years in a row.
Matt received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Portland in 1971, and a J.D. from the University of Oregon Law School in 1974.
Jeff Strickler
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Jeff joined Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) in 2007. In addition to his role as Chief Operating Officer, Jeff also serves as NWEA's CFO and Vice President of Corporate Services. Jeff brings to NWEA more than 20 years of experience helping organizations attain their goals, first as an attorney at Perkins Coie and later in various leadership roles at notable Northwest companies, including CFI ProServices/Harland Financial System, Vesta Corporation, Centrisoft Corporation and CakeBoxx LLC.
At CFI ProServices, Jeff was Vice President and General Counsel from 1994 through its acquisition by Harland Financial Services Systems in 2000. He was the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Vesta Corporation during a critical time in that company's expansion. Jeff has served as the Chief Operating Officer at both Centrisoft Corporation and CakeBoxx LLC, a startup company engaged in developing a new, more secure design for international shipping containers.
Jeff received a B.S. in Business Administration from Oregon State University in 1982 and J.D. degree from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall) in 1985.
Prior to joining Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) in 2006, Ginger served in public education for over 20 years as a teacher and administrator. As VP of Partner Relations she leads all aspects of the organization's work with partners including enrollment, development, and support.
Ginger's greatest accomplishments can be measured by the growth that individual students have made, either from her direct impact in the classroom, or her indirect influence in administration and in her current capacity.
Ginger received her Bachelor of Arts degree and teacher certifications from Cedar Crest College. She received a Master's in School Administration from Wayne State University.
Jill Hedrick
Vice President of Partner Accounts
Jill brings to NWEA extensive leadership experience developing customer-centric global sales and account management organizations. She is an expert in sales strategy and management who has built channels and new markets in North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim.
With over 20 years of experience leading high growth sales and marketing teams, Jill has worked for several high tech firms including Farallon Computing (now Motorola), and Dantz Development (now EMC). Over the past decade, Jill was Vice President of Worldwide Sales for software provider Extensis, Vice President of Business Development for Gartner spin off GCR, and Vice President of Business Development for research software provider Revelation, Inc. She also worked as an advisor for start-up, industry, and academic organizations, helping to establish business plans, sales processes, and strategies around customer acquisition and retention.
Jill received her degrees in Economics and Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is actively engaged in the Portland business community and has led and served on committees with the SAO, OEN, TechAmerica and others.
Suketu Pandya
Chief Technology Officer
Suketu joined Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) in 2007 as Chief Technology Officer and is responsible for overall technology investments and direction. His leadership also extends to the development, delivery and fulfillment of NWEA's product and services.
Prior to coming to NWEA, Suketu held leadership roles at Centrisoft, Amdahl and Sync Research as well as consulting roles at a number of high-profile technology companies. Suketu brings to NWEA an impeccable track record of working closely with customers and engineers to deliver practical and cost effective products.
Suketu received his Master of Science degree from the State of University of New York and Bachelor of Technology from IIT, Bombay, India.
Donna brings to Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) over two decades of leadership experience in product management and marketing, including expertise in sales, branding, public relations, web development, e-commerce, and positioning strategy.
Prior to joining NWEA Donna was instrumental in increasing public profile, market position and sales for national companies based in the Pacific Northwest. She served as Vice President of Marketing for Vero, Inc.; Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Swiftview, Inc.; Vice President of Marketing for Sonus USA; Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for Harland Financial Services; an Assistant Vice President of Marketing for Standard Insurance Company; and a Senior Marketing Manager for Boise Cascade.
Donna received her B.S. in Psychology with honors from Western Michigan University, and her M.B.A with honors from the University of Portland.
Anne has twenty years of experience in K-12 public education. She has been an aide, teacher, staff developer, program director and an assistant superintendent with leadership responsibilities for major curriculum, instruction and professional development initiatives.
Throughout the 1980s Anne taught in an elementary resource program for learning disabled and gifted students with the Tucson, Arizona Unified School District, and provided district-wide training in higher-level thinking skills. In the 1990s she served in numerous leadership positions for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the largest school system in North Carolina, including as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.
She has published numerous articles and has co-authored Creating the Thoughtful Classroom. She is an accomplished keynote speaker and presenter.
Prior to joining NWEA in 2010, Anne spent nine years as Executive Director of the Lee Institute, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging collaboration, problem-solving and strategic planning for individuals, civic organizations and community efforts.
Anne received her B.A. in Secondary Education and M.A. in Special Education from the University of New Mexico, and received her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Arizona. She is the co-chair of the Udall Foundation, a federal agency formed in 1996 to honor the work and legacy of her father, Morris K. Udall and her uncle, Stewart L. Udall.
Steven Wise
Vice President of Research and Development
Steven Wise is the Vice President of Research and Development for the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). Before joining NWEA in 2008, he established the Institute for Computer-Based Assessment at James Madison University and spent 10 years as a Professor of Psychology, teaching in JMU's Ph.D. program in Assessment and Measurement. Prior to his time at JMU, Dr. Wise taught for 15 years in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has taught a variety of courses in applied measurement and statistics, including introductory and intermediate statistical methods, correlation methods, meta-analysis, measurement theory, item response theory, and computer-based testing. Dr. Wise has published extensively during the past two decades in applied measurement, with particular emphasis in computer-based testing and the psychology of test taking. In addition, he sits on the editorial board of several academic journals and provides psychometric consultation to a variety of organizations.
Steven received his Ph.D. in educational measurement and statistics from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign in 1981.
Raymond Yeagley
Vice President & Chief Academic Officer
Prior to joining NWEA in 2005, Raymond enjoyed a twenty-nine year career as teacher, principal and superintendent of schools. His tenure included seven years as superintendent of Alexander Local School District in Ohio and seventeen years as superintendent in Rochester, New Hampshire. During this service, he gained a national reputation for his understanding and effective use of data to improve instruction and increase student learning. He is a widely published author, respected presenter and has been privileged to actively participate in and lead several professional organizations, including a term as chair of the National Forum on Education Statistics.
Raymond received his Bachelors in Music Education at the University of Utah in 1972, earned a Masters in Secondary Education in 1979, and received an Ed.D. in School Administration in 1981. Both graduate degrees were earned at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Board of Directors
Dr. Bart Anderson
Superintendent of the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio
Since 2004 Dr. Anderson has been responsible for overall leadership of the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Central Ohio, which provides comprehensive educational services to 26 school districts, including extensive work with professional development, special education, school management, instructional improvement, school transformation, and student assessment. Dr. Anderson has led the ESC's growth from less than 200 employees in 2004 to nearly 2,000 employees in 2010, making it one of the largest and highest performing educational service agencies in the country. Dr. Anderson's experience also includes having served as a high school mathematics teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, and superintendent of both city and local school districts. Presently he also serves as a local school superintendent of a small district in Ohio. Dr. Anderson is a Broad Fellow and serves as member of the Governing Board of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).
Dr. Jim Angermeyr
Director of Research and Evaluation for Bloomington Public Schools in Minnesota
Dr. Angermeyr helped implement the first NWEA testing program in the state of Minnesota more than 15 years ago. Since then, more than 300 schools and districts have become MAP users throughout the state. Dr. Angermeyr served on NWEA's board of directors from 1999-2001 and rejoined in 2006. He received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Ronald Blocker
Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools
Mr. Blocker has worked for Orange County Public Schools since 1977, before becoming superintendent in 2000. He has set ambitious goals for his district, which include pursuing high academic standards, maintaining a high-performing and dedicated work force and involving the community on important issues. Under his leadership, the district has increased Advanced Placement enrollment and participation, aggressively moved to narrow the achievement gap in minority populations, developed a comprehensive academic plan for the district and embarked on one of the largest school capital programs in the state. Thirteen OCPS high schools made Newsweek's "Top of the Class" list, announced in May 2008. Because of his influence in the community, Mr. Blocker was ranked #9 on Orlando Magazine's "50 Most Powerful People in Central Florida" list, published in July 2008.
Lynn Fielding
Tax and business attorney, author, co-founder of The Children's Reading Foundation
Lynn Fielding has served for 22 years as a director of Kennewick Schools, eight years as a director of the Washington State School Directors Association, and has served on the Board of Directors for Northwest Evaluation Association since 2002. He has presented at numerous National and State School Board Association and reading conferences nationwide. Co-founder of The Children's Reading Foundation, initial author of its READY! for Kindergarten curriculum, author of Extraordinary Parents (2009), and co-author of Annual Growth for All Students, Catch-up Growth for Those Who Are Behind (2007), Delivering on the Promise, (2004) and The 90% Reading Goal, (1997). Mr. Fielding presents and consults with school districts interested in leveraged educational reform from birth through grade 12. With an LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University, he is a tax and business lawyer.
Darlene Hooley
Former teacher and politician
Darlene Hooley is a former teacher and politician who represented Oregon's 5th Congressional District as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1996 to 2008.
Ms. Hooley earned her degree in education from Oregon State University in 1961. Following graduation she taught reading, music, and high school physical education for eight years at schools in Woodburn, Gervais, and Portland.
Ms. Hooley entered politics in 1975 when she was elected to serve as the first woman on the West Linn, Oregon, City Council, a position she held for four years. She was elected to the Oregon State Legislature in 1980 and served as a Democrat representing Clackamas County. She chaired the environmental and energy committees, and chaired the education subcommittee of the ways and means committee. She left in 1987 to accept a position on the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, a post she held until 1996
In 1996, Ms. Hooley was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing Oregon's 5th Congressional District. In her first term in the U.S. House, she was elected House Democratic freshman class president, and went on to serve as a member of the House Financial Services, Veterans' Affairs, Science and Technology, Energy and Commerce, and Budget committees. She was a House Senior Whip for the Democratic Party and a member of the New Democrat Coalition. She served six terms in the House before stepping down in 2009.
Superintendent of the Bristol, Connecticut, Public Schools
As Superintendent of the Bristol Public Schools, Dr. Streifer leads an urban school district of 15 schools and over 9,000 students. Prior to assuming this position he was Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Connecticut where he coordinated and taught the Executive Leadership Program that prepares and certifies prospective superintendents of schools. Dr. Streifer continues his duties with UCONN in the Executive Leadership Program while in Bristol. Before joining the University of Connecticut Dr. Streifer served as superintendent of schools in Avon, Connecticut, and Barrington, Rhode Island, and has held building and district level leadership positions in several Connecticut and Rhode Island school districts. He began his career as an elementary and middle school music teacher in Connecticut. Currently Dr. Streifer is also President of the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, and a Regent of the University of Hartford where he serves on the boards of the school's Hartt School Trustees (recently serving as its Chair) and the School of Education, Nursing and Related Health Professions.
Dr. Brenda M. Tanner
Faculty, Atlantic Research Partners, Inc.
Dr. Tanner is a former school district superintendent who for more than 30 years has served and led education in Virginia and South Carolina. She began her career in public education as a teacher, and ultimately assumed duties as a teaching staff developer, school district and division administrator, higher education professor, and superintendent of schools. She led schools in Madison County, Virginia and served as Chief Academic and Chief Personnel Officer for Horry County Public Schools in South Carolina, a district with 31,000 students and 4,000 employees. Dr. Tanner has additionally served higher education through her work at the University of Virginia, where she focused on preparing school administrators in leadership and staff supervision. During her professorship at the University of Virginia, She also directed a professional development consortium, and through it, assisted the University's Curry School of Education and twenty Virginia school divisions in providing support for teachers and school administrators.
Dr. Joseph J. Wise
Managing Director and Co-founder of Atlantic Research Partners, Inc.
Dr. Wise has successfully led major public and private-sector organizations throughout North America. He served as Superintendent of Schools for the nation's 19th largest school district (Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, Florida), led the State of Delaware's largest public school district (Christina School District, Wilmington, Delaware), and served as Director of Organizational Development for the Disney organization. Dr. Wise has also served as Executive Vice President, Chief Education Officer with Edison Learning, Inc., an organization engaged in providing education programs and services to 340,000 students throughout 25 states and the United Kingdom. He began his career in education as a teacher, then began taking on executive leadership roles within the school districts he served; those districts include Orange County Public Schools and Seminole County Public Schools in Florida, and Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Ann Arundel, Maryland.
Professor Wong holds the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Chair in Education Policy, directs the graduate program in Urban Education Policy, and chairs the Education Department at Brown University. He previously taught at Vanderbilt University and the University of Chicago. He is a national figure in shaping the research and policy agenda on urban educational reform, equity issues, and governance.
Author of over 100 articles and several books, Professor Wong serves on the editorial board of leading education policy journals. His recent books include The Education Mayor: Improving America's Schools and Successful School and Educational Accountability. His research has received support from the National Science Foundation, the Institute for Education Sciences, the U.S. Department of Education, and several foundations, including Joyce, Spencer, Broad, and the Rhode Island Foundation.
Professor Wong has been active in using multidisciplinary research to improve policy and practice. He has advised federal agencies, congressional staff, state legislatures, governors, mayors, state commissioners, and leaders in several large urban school systems regarding the design of accountability frameworks, school-community partnership, and school support strategies.