Speakers Bureau

At Communities In Schools, we believe every student deserves the support they need to stay in school and achieve in life. Our Speakers Bureau brings this mission to life by connecting audiences with experienced nonprofit leaders, student support professionals, and community leaders who are driving real change in schools and communities. Whether you’re hosting a conference, staff training, community event, or classroom discussion, our speakers offer powerful insights, practical strategies, and inspiring stories centered on student success.

Speakers

Cecilia Lee

Principal, Alumni Relations
Communities In Schools National Office
Areas of expertise: Upward Mobility, Enrichment/Motivation, Family Engagement

Christopher Murray

Senior Director, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives
Communities In Schools National Office
Areas of expertise: Capacity Building, Integrated Student Supports (ISS)

Heather Clawson, Ph.D.

Chief Program and Innovation Officer
Communities In Schools National Office
Areas of expertise: Family Engagement, Integrated Student Supports (ISS), Capacity Building

Jessy Cuddy

Vice President, Learning & Practice
Areas of expertise: Capacity Building, Enrichment/Motivation, Family Engagement, Integrated Student Supports (ISS)

Joaquin Tamayo

Vice President of Policy, Marketing & Communications
Areas of expertise: Education Policy, Capacity Building

Kevin Leary, Ph.D

Sr. Director Research & Evaluation
Communities In Schools National Office
Areas of expertise: Capacity Building, Integrated Student Supports (ISS), Research

Michael Huang

Vice President, District and Community Engagement
Communities In Schools National Office
Areas of expertise: Capacity Building, Upward Mobility, Integrated Student Supports (ISS)

Rey Saldaña

President and CEO
Communities In Schools National Office
Areas of expertise: Enrichment/Motivation, Capacity Building

Shaunna D. Finley, PhD.

Senior Advisor, District & Community Engagement
Communities In Schools National Office
Areas of expertise: Capacity Building, Upward Mobility, Enrichment/Motivation

Takita Battle

Sr. Director, Institutional Giving
Communities In Schools National Office
Areas of expertise: Capacity Building, Philanthropy

Book One of Our Speakers

All of the speakers above are available for speaking engagements. Contact Whitney Faison for more information on booking a speaker for your upcoming event.

Recent Events

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Bringing the Band Back Together: Communities In Schools Legacy Event in Partnership with Creative Artists Agency

Wednesday, February 18, marked an unforgettable evening at Creative Artists Agency's (CAA) offices in Los Angeles. Communities In Schools (CIS), the nation’s leading provider in integrated student supports, gathered its community — educators, alumni, advocates, board members, funders, and champions — to celebrate five decades of impact and to look ahead toward the next 50 years with renewed commitment and purpose.

Story | April 7, 2026

2026 Hill Day Briefing: CIS Network Leaders

The CIS Effect Takes on Capitol Hill

For three days in early March, more than 20 leaders from the Communities In Schools (CIS) network converged on Washington, D.C., for the organization's annual Capitol Hill Days. From March 2–4, affiliate leaders walked the halls of Congress with a powerful message: integrated student supports work—and the evidence now proves it.

Story | March 24, 2026

Pledge to Be Present: Inspiring Students to Show Up This School Year

When Communities In Schools launched the Being Present Matters Campaign in 2024, the goal was clear: raise awareness about chronic absenteeism and remind students, families, and communities why showing up to school matters. Now, in the campaign's second year, CIS has taken that message even further with the Pledge to Be Present initiative—a creative, high-impact way to engage students and build a culture of accountability around school attendance.

Story | Feb. 25, 2026

Communities In Schools to Host National Leadership Conference for School Educators, Administrators and Policy Experts

Communities In Schools will host its 2025 Leadership Town Hall (LTH) in Indianapolis, November 10-12. Leadership Town Hall is an annual in-person convening designed for executives, board members, alumni leaders and school practitioners from across the CIS Network to connect around best practices and innovative methods that focus on the academic and non-academic needs of students.

Press Release | Nov. 7, 2025

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Speakers

Cecilia Lee

Principal, Alumni Relations Communities In Schools National Office Areas of expertise: Upward Mobility, Enrichment/Motivation, Family Engagement

Christopher Murray

Senior Director, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives Communities In Schools National Office Areas of expertise: Capacity Building, Integrated Student Supports (ISS)

Heather Clawson, Ph.D.

Chief Program and Innovation Officer Communities In Schools National Office Areas of expertise: Family Engagement, Integrated Student Supports (ISS), Capacity Building