Priscilla Maynor
President + Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Priscilla Maynor is the Founder of ImaginED Partners, established in 2014 building upon her broad knowledge of public education, business acumen, forward-thinking leadership, and now more than 30 years of experience across the education sector. As a member of the Lumbee Tribe, Dr. Priscilla Maynor’s work is grounded in the legacy of her ancestors, including her fourth-great-grandfather, who joined other tribal leaders in advocating for American Indian children to have access to education. That legacy helped lay the foundation for the Croatan Normal School, established in 1887 to prepare Native teachers to educate tribal children and strengthen their communities. Today, that school is known as the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, North Carolina’s Historically American Indian University. Through ImaginED Partners, Dr. Maynor continues this legacy by helping leaders across government agencies, organizations, and communities design stronger systems for learning, leadership, and growth that create hope and opportunities for future generations of all. Dr. Maynor brings deep expertise in leadership, change management, education policy and governance, strategy and design, organizational transformation, and community engagement. She sees a challenge as an opportunity and believes solutions are found in the voice and strengths already present in local communities. This belief fuels her commitment to catalyzing education innovation, expanding access to high-quality learning experiences for all learners, and equipping leaders to navigate change, strengthen systems, and lead with purpose. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, family and friends, traveling, supporting the Tar Heels, and relaxing by the beach or in her backyard paradise with a good book.
Email: priscilla@imaginEDpartners.com
George Hancock
Chief Practice Officer & Managing Director
George Hancock is a seasoned education leader who has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for students in need through thoughtful leadership, systems design, and practical support. He brings decades of experience to ImaginED, including his roles as Executive Director of the SERVE Center at UNC-Greensboro, and Director of the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE), and Co-Director for the SE Region 5 Comprehensive Center. George began his journey as a teacher and principal, later serving in state-level leadership roles focused on school improvement and federal program implementation. Known for his expertise in technical assistance, policy development, and inter-agency collaboration, he helps education leaders across states, districts, and schools develop clear, student-centered visions and actionable strategies. A strong advocate for building capacity and rethinking traditional models, George is committed to helping teams create flexible, effective systems that put student needs at the center. Outside of work, George enjoys spending time with his family, pursuing travel, attending sporting and music events, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Email: george@imaginEDpartners.com
Billy Maynor
Chief Finance and Operations Officer
Billy Maynor brings strong finance, operations, and organizational leadership experience to ImaginED Partners, with a background in building systems, aligning teams, managing resources, and driving performance in complex, fast-moving environments. His professional experience spans the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and biotechnology sectors, including leadership roles with BioCryst, Zoetis, and Pfizer, where he supported business operations, global procurement, logistics, manufacturing, customer operations, systems integration, and cross-functional execution in highly regulated environments. Drawing from this experience, he brings expertise in financial accountability, operations management, process improvement, data and technology-enabled systems. In his role, Billy helps strengthen the company’s internal infrastructure by establishing strategy and clear processes for finance, human resources, technology, contracting, and day-to-day operations. His disciplined, systems-focused approach supports ImaginED’s ability to grow responsibly, serve clients well, and ensure the right structures are in place to deliver high-quality work with consistency and impact. In his free time, Billy enjoys spending time with family, reading and learning, cooking, traveling to places both new and old, and his favorite season, which is game season.
Email: billy@imaginEDpartners.com
Leslie Locklear
Senior Consultant, Design & Implementation
Dr. Leslie Locklear brings over a decade of experience designing practical, culturally grounded solutions that help organizations better serve students, families, and communities. An enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe with maternal connections to the Waccamaw Siouan and Coharie Tribes, she supports ImaginED Partners’ portfolio of projects serving tribes and Native-serving organizations, bringing expertise in strategic planning, culturally sustaining program design, youth leadership development, tribal and state collaboration, and federal grant administration. She currently serves as American Indian Education Director at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she leads statewide initiatives focused on educational access, student success, culturally responsive practices, program development, grant coordination, and partnerships with tribal communities, schools, and organizations across North Carolina. Prior to this role, she served as Director of Educator Engagement and Student Success at UNC Pembroke, strengthening support systems for teachers and students. Known for her ability to make things happen, Leslie is deeply committed to collaboration, lasting partnerships, and building the capacity of emerging leaders to make an impact. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, attending community and cultural events, and spending time with family and friends.
Email: leslie@imaginEDpartners.com
Bridget Johnson
Senior Consultant, Learning & Development
Dr. Bridget Johnson is a results-driven educational leader with over two decades of experience has a deep knowledge of curriculum design and development. Guided by a leadership philosophy rooted in empowerment and open communication, she has successfully led strategic initiatives across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia—most notably the statewide Science of Reading rollout and the reorganization of school transformation structures. With a proven track record as a K–12 Director of Curriculum and Instruction and specialist for the U.S. Department of Education’s Region 6 Comprehensive Center, Bridget excels in fostering collaborative environments that drive innovation and sustainable change. She facilitates and supports ImaginED Partners’ portfolio of curriculum and instruction, and educator development projects. Bridget is known for her creativity in designing and facilitating interactive learning experiences that are highly engaging. She is passionate about creating collaborative environments and enjoys supporting educators at all levels through school improvement planning, establishing effective PLC practices, and implementing research-based practices. Outside of work, Bridget loves spending time with her husband and three teenage daughters, reading, digging her toes in the sand, and volunteering at church.
Email: bridget@imaginEDpartners.com
Walter Kahumoku III
Senior Consultant, Education Policy & Research
Dr. Walter Kahumoku III has dedicated his life’s work to improving the educational wellbeing learners. For over 30 years in education, he brings experience in teacher and administrator education, curriculum development, instructional strategies, and assessment, research, and educational policy. As a visionary and architect of Native Hawaiian and indigenous educational approaches and programs, Walter is recognized and sought after locally, nationally and internationally. As Director of Kauhale Kīpaipai, he was lead designer of Kahua, a teacher induction program, and Hoʻokele, an administrator leadership program. He currently sits on the boards of Kuleana ‘Ōiwi: a Native Hawaiian Journal board and Hūlili: Multidisciplinary Research on Hawaiian Well-Being. He is one of the contributing writers to the Nā Honua Mauli Ola Cultural Pathways, chaired a major section in the Nā Lau Lama report as well as a writer and contributor to the creation and implementation of Na Hopena Aʻo, culturally grounded learner outcomes adopted by DOE Hawaiʻi statewide. On a national level, he sat on the National Indian Education Association (2010-2013) and internationally, Walter was a writer for the WINHEC P-12 Indigenous Accreditation handbook and continues to serve as lead chair for WINHEC P-12 and visiting committee chair as well as member for WINHEC Higher Education accreditation team. Walter is passionate about guiding leaders and educators in the work of reaching more native students in powerful, meaningful ways. Walter and his family hail from ‘Āhuimanu, O‘ahu. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family.
Email: walter@imaginEDpartners.com
Ryne Maynor
Technology Operations Specialist
Ryne Maynor leads the technology support and security for ImaginED Partners. He brings expertise in technology operations, systems support, troubleshooting, and secure digital practices. He also has experience in sales, account management, and customer service. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies, and holds a Microsoft Azure and other related certifications. In his role, Ryne helps maintain reliable technology infrastructure, supports staff with day-to-day technology needs, strengthens internal systems, and ensures digital tools are responsive, secure, and aligned to business needs. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brianna, their dog, Grace, and family, traveling, golfing and is avid about all things sports.
Email: ryne@imaginEDpartners.com
Donna Brown
Talent Circle Consultant
Donna Brown brings more than 40 years of experience in public education to ImaginED Partners, with expertise in curriculum and instruction, school improvement, education policy, federal programs, grants management, and support for underserved and at-risk student populations. Her career includes leadership at the local and state levels, including service as Director of Federal Program Monitoring and Support at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she oversaw implementation and compliance for federal education programs and worked with districts to strengthen accountability and improve student outcomes. Most recently, she served as the North Carolina SEA Principal Liaison for the SE-Region 5 Comprehensive Center at the SERVE Center, partnering with state education agencies to build leadership capacity and support school improvement. Donna also helped launch North Carolina’s statewide grants management system and co-led development of the state’s ESSA Consolidated State Plan. Recognized with the NCDPI Excellence in Service Award, she brings a strong commitment to collaboration, team building, and practical systems improvement. In her free time, Donna enjoys cooking and crafting with her five granddaughters.
Email: donna@imaginEDpartners.com
Tanya Head
Talent Circle Consultant
Dr. Tanya Head brings more than 44 years of experience in public education to ImaginED Partners, with expertise spanning classroom instruction, school leadership, district administration, higher education, state-level systems work, and national consulting. A strong advocate for students, educators, and leaders, she brings deep expertise in coaching leaders, administering education and federal programs, strengthening instructional practice, and supporting sustainable systems change. Her work has consistently focused on leadership development, instructional improvement, equity-driven school transformation, organizational effectiveness, and improving outcomes in high-need and underperforming contexts. Through her experience as a teacher, administrator, district leader, consultant, and state-level coach, Dr. Head offers practical expertise in mentoring school and district leaders, facilitating professional learning, analyzing instructional and organizational needs, guiding improvement planning, supporting implementation, and helping teams build the systems and practices needed to improve outcomes for students and educators. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Email: tanya@imaginEDpartners.com
Suzanne Peck
Talent Circle Consultant
Suzanne Peck has dedicated her life to “Saving the world, one reader at a time.” She has worked with at-risk populations and programs in numerous capacities at the school, district, and state levels. Her unwavering commitment to her work is evident in her support of district and state Multi-tiered Systems of Support initiatives, and in her role in the development and monitoring of Federal Title programs at school, district, and state levels. She served in the state education agency in Idaho as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education and Title I-D Neglected/Delinquent State Coordinator and with the SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, supporting students experiencing homelessness nationwide as a Program Specialist providing technical assistance as part of the National Technical Assistance Center for Homeless Education grant. She realizes how difficult it is to teach a child when they are hungry, tired, or experiencing trauma. She received a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and has been an educator dedicated to serving the most vulnerable students for 20+ years. Suzanne lives in Idaho and in her free time is an avid rockhound, lapidary artist, and silversmith.
Email: suzanne@imaginEDpartners.com
Jan Donley
Talent Circle Consultant
Dr. Jan Donley brings extensive expertise in educational program evaluation, research, grant writing, and data-informed reporting, with more than 25 years of experience supporting K–12, postsecondary, and Native-focused education initiatives. She earned an Ed.D. Earned a degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Reading, an M.S. in Developmental Psychology from North Carolina State University, and has experience teaching at the college and graduate levels. Her career includes service as a Title I Evaluation Specialist and consultant, conducting evaluations and developing research-based resources for educators, practitioners, and leaders. Through her work with the Academic Development Institute and ImaginED Partners, Dr. Donley has supported project evaluation, grant writing, data management, reporting, and research dissemination for several Native American tribes and organizations, including the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes, Muscogee Creek Nation, and the Tribal Education Department National Assembly. She is the author of Effective Practices: Research Briefs and Evidence Ratings and has developed more than 250 research briefs and professional development resources focused on evidence-based school improvement. In her free time, Jan enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, exercising, volunteering as a Meals on Wheels delivery driver, and watching almost all sports, but especially hockey, soccer and tennis.
Email: jan@imaginEDpartners.com
Consuela Richardson
Talent Circle Consultant
Consuela Richardson brings more than 20 years of experience across K–12 and higher education, with expertise in federal grant management, student support systems, college and career readiness, school improvement, and educational program implementation. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University, and her career includes service with the North Carolina Department of Administration, U.S. Department of Education TRIO programs, higher education financial aid services, and research grant processing. As Program Manager for multiple federal grants through the Office of Indian Education, including Native Youth Community Projects and Title VI Indian Education grants, Consuela led multi-year initiatives focused on culturally responsive teaching, professional development, and community-based strategies to support student success. She also brings state education agency experience partnering with districts across North Carolina to conduct diagnostic reviews and support comprehensive school improvement planning. Through her work, Consuela offers practical expertise in managing complex education programs, supporting first-generation and low-income students, strengthening district and community partnerships, and building sustainable systems that help all learners thrive. In her free time, Consuela is a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe and enjoys activities that connect her to her ancestors, especially beadwork and creating pieces to gift to friends and family. Outside of beading, she enjoys soaking up the peace of the sun on her face near a body of water.
Email: consuela@imaginEDpartners.com
Heather Stewart
Talent Circle Consultant
Dr. Heather Stewart has more than 25 years of experience in public education, with expertise in instructional leadership, educator development, literacy, school improvement, accountability, and systems-level change. Her career has been grounded in supporting teachers, strengthening instructional practice, and advancing student learning across diverse educational settings. She began as an elementary and middle school English Language Arts teacher before moving into leadership as a literacy coach, later serving in district, regional, and state-level roles focused on professional development, school improvement, special education, planning and accountability, curriculum, and instruction. Heather brings strong leadership in supporting schools through improvement efforts, developing educator capacity, strengthening instructional systems, and helping leaders implement practical strategies that improve outcomes for students and staff. Outside of work, Heather enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, visiting the beach, and actively participating in educational organizations.
Email: heather@imaginEDpartners.com
Jeremiah Moore
Talent Circle Consultant
Jeremiah Moore brings experience as an educator, school leader, instructional coach, and advocate for Native students and communities, as a member of the Lumbee Tribe. Jeremiah has served as a middle school teacher, academic coach, assistant principal, and principal in the Public Schools of Robeson County, and currently serves as Principal of Laurel Hill Elementary in Scotland County Schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a master’s degree in School Administration, earned summa cum laude, through the First Americans’ Educational Leadership Cohort.
Jeremiah brings expertise in school improvement, culturally responsive curriculum development, instructional leadership, educator support, student engagement, and technology integration. Throughout his career, he has led and supported initiatives in curriculum development, beginning teacher support, Native student programming, and school-level improvement planning. He has presented on school improvement models, including Plan-Do-Study-Act, and culturally responsive curriculum development across the state and nationally. He served as Vice-Chair of the North Carolina State Advisory Council on Indian Education. Grounded in his commitment to expanding opportunity for students and communities, Jeremiah is guided by Sitting Bull’s words: “Let us put our minds together to see what life we can make for our children.” In his spare time, he enjoys travel, kayaking on the Lumber River, spending time with friends and tending to animals on his farm.
Email: jeremiah@imaginEDpartners.com
Alyson Lerma
Talent Circle Consultant
Dr. Alyson Lerma brings more than two decades of experience across K–12 education, with expertise in federal programs, grants management, school improvement, charter schools, monitoring, governance, and strategic resource management. Her career spans classroom, district, state, and national roles, including service as Director of Grants for Metro Nashville Public Schools, where she managed a grant portfolio exceeding $450 million, and Director of ESSA and IDEA Monitoring at the Tennessee Department of Education, where she led statewide technical assistance and monitoring. Dr. Lerma brings deep expertise in rural and underserved communities, federal programs oversight, charter school operations, board governance, fiscal oversight, risk analysis, and technical assistance for schools, districts, authorizers, and state education agencies. Dr. Lerma is a senior researcher and has served as a subject matter expert for multiple USDOE projects. Her work is grounded in the belief that every student, regardless of geography or school type, deserves educators and leaders with the resources, knowledge, and capacity to support meaningful outcomes. When not working, Alyson enjoys traveling, reading or listening to podcasts, spending time with family and friends, and gardening.
Beth Rice
Talent Circle Consultant
Dr. Beth Rice brings more than two decades of experience in education, school psychology, systems of support, and state-level consulting, with national leadership in reimagining alternative education through whole-child support, student and staff wellbeing, and effective school mental health practices. Her career includes service as a special education teacher, school psychologist, district systems-of-support coordinator, and state-level consultant. As Principal Investigator for Alternative Education at the SERVE Center, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, she directed statewide alternative education initiatives, supported the North Carolina Association of Alternative Educators, elevated practitioner voice through communities of practice, and presented at state and national conferences on “Rethinking Alternative Education.” Dr. Rice brings deep expertise in building relational, data-informed systems that help alternative schools become innovative, future-ready learning environments grounded in exemplary practices. She partners with state agencies, districts, organizations, and professional associations to develop frameworks and tools that strengthen connection, resilience, durable skills, educator wellbeing, and sustainable improvement for students and schools.
A Talent Circle of Proven Leaders, Built for Purpose and Impact
We are a curated network of accomplished education, research, and organizational leaders with experience across the full spectrum of the education and government sectors. From classrooms and schools to districts, state agencies and tribal governments, institute of higher education and others, our team brings deep expertise in strategy, leadership, research, design and implementation, systems improvement, and organizational transformation.
Each member brings a record of leading meaningful and impactful work. Together, we offer a powerful blend of seasoned practitioners, policy and program experts, researchers, strategists, and systems thinkers united by a shared commitment to helping our client partners solve real challenges, strengthen capacity, and scale what works.
We build agile, right-fit teams matched to each client’s needs, bringing the experience, insight, and practical expertise to deliver purposeful work and lasting results.
ImaginED Partners is always looking to recruit innovative, competent talent to our already impressive Talent Circle. If you are interested in becoming part of ImaginED and have the skill-set to contribute to meaningful work with passion, insight, and quality, please contact us.