About the Presenters

As Co-founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Eye to Eye, David Flink is an author and social movement leader on the front lines of the learning rights movement. He imagines a world where one day all learners will be seen, heard, and valued. David co-founded Eye to Eye at Brown University where he received bachelor’s degrees with honors in both education and psychology. David also holds a master’s degree in disability studies in education from Columbia University. Most recently, David was named a 2021 CNN Hero for his work to support students with learning disabilities.

Dr. Michael Maclin was appointed in 2022 as Special School District of St. Louis County’s Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). Since joining SSD in 2020, Dr. Maclin established the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Framework. He is an award-winning leader offering over 20 years of experience and a strong performance record in driving results-oriented DEIA outcomes. Before SSD, he was honored with several awards, such as the New Principal of the Year Award and Educator of the Year Award. CIO Views, a globally recognized magazine, named Dr. Maclin one of the 10 Most Successful (DEI) Leaders to Watch in 2023. Dr. Maclin was invited to deliver a TEDx Talk in 2023. He holds a doctorate in leadership in teaching and learning, an education specialist, a master’s in educational administration, a master’s in guidance and counseling, and a bachelor’s in communications from Missouri Baptist University. He also received a racial equity facilitator certificate from Harvard.

Barbara Pape, Senior Director for the Learner Variability Project at Digital Promise, led a three-year national survey on learner variability and teacher practice, wrote the paper defining learner variability, hosts a monthly webinar series, and co-developed The IEP Project. Previously, she worked in policy analysis and communications for nonprofits and in the U.S. Senate. Barbara has written for numerous publications and was editor of the first electronically delivered education newsletter, the Daily Report Card. Previously, she produced the Teaching & Learning conference for the National Board, worked in the communications office for the AFT during President Al Shanker’s tenure, and headed up government relations for the City Colleges of Chicago. She earned an Ed.M. at Harvard and coursework toward a Ph.D. at the University of Virginia. Barbara launched her career as a middle school teacher in her hometown of Pittsburgh.

Kerri Larkin brings more than 20 years of special education experience to her role as Senior Education Advisor for Lexia Learning. Kerri began her career teaching secondary language arts and special education at Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS). She left the classroom to become the director of her teacher preparation program, which prepared and evaluated special education teachers in partnership with the George Washington University. Based on her leadership in teacher preparation, Kerri was hired back into DCPS by Michelle Rhee through the Master Educator program. From there, Kerri led special education as the Director for Academic Programs and then Senior Deputy Chief of Specialized Instruction until March 2021. Kerri leverages her experience in partnership with other district leaders to increase educational equity through meaningful inclusion, evidence-based practice, and sustained professional learning. She is a passionate anti-racism advocate with an emphasis on meaningful inclusion and systemic change.