David Bressoud
David Bressoud is Director of the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences and the DeWitt Wallace Professor of Mathematics Emeritus at Macalester College.
Denise Thornton
My 20-year (and counting) journey as a mathematics teacher and leader has been a “trial by fire.” I learned to survive working with high school teenagers, middle schoolers, fellow teachers, and school administrators through resiliency and a commitment to learn and find the resources needed to navigate life as an educator.
Diana Ceja
Diana Ceja is a mathematics educator with more than 24 years of experience in the field. She is currently Administrator, Riverside County Office of Education Instructional Services. She served as president of TODOS: Mathematics for ALL an equity-based international professional organization affiliated with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
Doug Sovde
My career has been guided by the strong belief that each child—no matter his or her background—should have access to high-quality mathematics curriculum and instruction and should benefit from the educational materials, professional learning, leadership, and policies necessary to succeed in postsecondary study. As director of K–12 education strategy, policy, and services at the Center, I lead and support our K–12 services, online course programs, and digital platform services teams.
Elisha Smith Arrillaga
Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillaga joined the Dana Center as managing director in May 2021. She previously served as the executive director of The Education Trust—West, a national research and advocacy nonprofit organization committed to educational justice for students of color, students from low-income communities, and English learners.
Erica Winterer
I taught high school in New Orleans and learned how to survive day to day by working with diverse sets of resilient educators, administrators, and students. I learned that regardless of teaching expertise, we can always make students feel like their learning and future trajectories are a priority. As a doctoral student at The University of Texas at Austin, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to teach freshman calculus students with my advisor, Professor Uri Treisman.
Frank Savina
Frank Savina grew up in El Paso, Texas but likes spending as much free time as possible visiting family in Italy with his wife Ivette. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and math. Frank and Ivette are the adoptive parents to 2 children—11-year old Anna, and 13-year old Matt, and they share a house with Anna and Matt’s mom, Patty.
Genesis Moreno
It’s been both a challenge and an incredible joy to discover the right combination of words to share an idea. Dedicating my career to exploring creativity has led me to meaningful work that empowers others. Working at the Charles A. Dana Center is where my passion for purpose and creativity meet.
Heather Ortiz
My passion for education began in sixth grade through my experiences with a caring, passionate teacher, Mrs. Ivie. After high school, I attended Eastfield Community College, in Mesquite, Texas. As a first-generation college student with limited financial resources and family support, I was embraced by Eastfield’s faculty and staff, who encouraged, supported, and pushed me to pursue my educational goals.
Hermelinda Ayala-Rios
Hermelinda is the director for accountability & assessment at Rio Grande City Grulla Independent School District in South Texas. She leads district-wide school improvement initiatives and has played a big role in adopting a consistent, high-quality curriculum across several campuses in her district.