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Leading Change: Adaptability Is the Skill of the Moment!
Friday, August 21, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
Presented by Steve Murley, Retired Superintendent and Managing Partner, SFM Consulting Group; and Dr. Jennifer Ferrari, Chief Executive Officer, ERDI
Presented by ERDI
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Today’s education leaders are navigating unprecedented complexity, requiring them to respond thoughtfully while maintaining focus on long-term priorities.
Drawing on current leadership research and real-world examples, this third edLeader Panel of Trailblazing Leadership Week explores how adaptability, strategic communication, and intentional leadership can help districts build resilient organizations that are prepared for continuous change.
This edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
This edLeader Panel is part of Trailblazing Leadership Week.
About the Presenters
Steve Murley is a lifelong educator, leadership coach, and former superintendent with more than 30 years of experience helping school districts nationwide build stronger leaders, cohesive teams, and smarter systems. As Managing Partner of SFM Consulting Group, he supports superintendents, district administrators, and school boards through leadership development, strategic planning, and executive search. A retired superintendent of three metropolitan districts and former university faculty member, Steve blends practical experience with research-based insight to help organizations thrive. His work, spanning coaching, strategic planning, and resilience-based systems design, is grounded in trust, alignment, and forward momentum. Based in Iowa City, he continues to serve as a national facilitator and advisor for leadership development initiatives across PK–12 education.
Dr. Jennifer Ferrari is a distinguished leader in the educational sector, uniquely positioned at the intersection of education and business. As the CEO and President of the Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI), she has married her extensive background in public education with her sharp business acumen to drive transformative solutions that meet the evolving needs of PK-12 education. Her leadership is characterized by a strategic blend of educational insight and business innovation, facilitating impactful collaborations between district leaders and industry experts to optimize product development and implement effective solutions in schools nationwide.
Before ascending to her current role, Dr. Ferrari served as the VP and chief schools officer for a pioneering education management organization, where she spearheaded strategic planning and organizational growth. Her 25-year public education background, spanning roles from middle school teacher to superintendent, with expertise in curriculum and instruction, leadership development, change management, and strategic planning, provides her with a unique perspective on the intersection of education and business, enabling her to lead with insight and innovation. Dr. Ferrari earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University in Chicago.
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At the Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI) we work to create a rich and meaningful forum for education leaders and solution providers to collaboratively discuss, design, and shape the products and services, which support PK-12 education. We are committed to ensuring that all students have access to the highest quality learning experiences, so that they will be productive, ready stewards of the future.