Patrick Tutwiler, PhD is the Secretary of the Executive Office of Education, and the first Black person to ever hold that role in Massachusetts’ history. As Massachusetts Secretary of Education, Tutwiler directs the Executive Office of Education, which oversees early education, K-12, and higher education. Secretary Tutwiler sits on each of the boards governing the Commonwealth’s education agencies, as well as the University of Massachusetts system. He is Governor Maura Healey’s top advisor on education and helps shape the Commonwealth’s education agenda.

Before being sworn in as Secretary, Dr. Tutwiler served as the senior program officer at the Boston-based Barr Foundation, a grantmaking organization focused on arts, climate and education, where he specialized in developing new high school models that will have a positive impact across the entire school system. He has more than twenty years’ experience in public education as a high school history teacher, as a high school principal and as the superintendent of the Lynn Public Schools. As Lynn Superintendent, Secretary Tutwiler led a collaborative, equity-centered effort that resulted in increased graduation rates, decreased push out rates, a more racially diverse faculty and staff, and the establishment of Massachusetts’ second largest early college program. He earned a BA in history from The College of the Holy Cross, a master’s in education from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and a PhD in curriculum and instruction from the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. He lives in Andover with his family.

Cynthia Mahr has spent more than twenty-five years in state and school finance. She joined Wellesley Public Schools in 2018. Prior to Wellesley, Cynthia served as the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations for Weston Public School and Director of Administrative Services for the Public Schools of Brookline. She is a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations and a Meritorious Budget Award recipient (Weston and Wellesley) from the Association of School Business Officials International, as well as the recipient of the President's Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO). Cynthia is a Past President of MASBO. Cynthia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Hartwick College and her Master’s in Public Administration degree from Suffolk University.

Michael Barry serves as Category Manager in the Strategic Sourcing Services Unit of the Operational Services Division (OSD) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In this role, Michael is responsible for managing the Grocery, Clothing, and Energy Category of Statewide Contracts and Statewide Contract Vendors. Previously, Michael worked in the Massachusetts Executive Office for Labor and Workforce Development. Prior to his public service roles, Michael worked in the hospitality, computer hardware, and real estate industries.

Colin Boisvert is the Director of Operations for the Franklin Public Schools, where he oversees Food Service, Transportation, Capital Projects, and Special Projects. In his prior role as Food Service Director, Colin made significant contributions to school districts, being honored in 2024 with the School Nutrition Association’s Food Service Director of the Year for the State of Massachusetts award. Colin also played an instrumental role in the development of the Massachusetts GRO42 K-12 School Nutrition Products Statewide Contract, streamlining school districts’ ability to procure fresh produce. Additionally, Colin has served on the Board of the School Nutrition Association to advance the quality and integrity of school nutrition programs.

Amanda Ferdinand serves as Senior Category Manager in the Strategic Sourcing Services Unit of the Operational Services Division (OSD) within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In her role, Amanda is responsible for the Facilities General and Office Statewide Contract Category. Prior to joining OSD in 2021, Amanda served as a Compliance Analyst for an investment firm and a Litigation Assistant at a law firm.

Dan is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and later received his Master’s Degree from Worcester State College (now Worcester State University).  He worked for two educational collaboratives – the Greater Lawrence Educational Collaborative and the EDCO Collaborative (Education Collaborative for Greater Boston) for 23 years as a program supervisor and contract manager. In those roles, he gained invaluable knowledge with special education that has served him well as a school business official.

Dan began working as a school business official in the Auburn Public Schools where he worked for 8 years. He moved on to the Leominster Public Schools in 2013. While in Leominster, Dan was elected to the MASBO Board of Directors (completing his term in May of 2018). He, along with several of his colleagues, co-authored the Grants Manual for the management of all Federal Grants during the summer of 2015. Dan also served as chair (and later co-chair) of the USBAR Roundtable – Urban School Business Administrators Round Table during his tenure in Leominster. This roundtable discussed and evaluated the many challenges of school finance work in the urban. In his USBAR role, Dan developed a strong relationship with the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. Dan also served on the School Building Committee for the renovation of Leominster High School and participated in several Accelerated Building Projects sponsored by the MSBA (Massachusetts Building Authority).

While in Leominster, Dan was contacted by the then Receiver of the Southbridge Public Schools to join her team, created to begin the difficult work of turning around the district. The problems were many, a compilation of 10 plus years but time and patience was non-existent.

Dan served as the Director of Finance and Operations for the Leicester Public Schools following his time in Southbridge. He served as a member of the District’s School Building Committee and also served as Chairman of the OPM (Owner’s Project Manager) Selection Committee. Dan currently serves as the Director of Business and Finance for the Wachusett Regional School District where he has worked since August 2018.

Kara Lees as the Chief Financial Officer for the Atlantis Charter School and a Certified Public Accountant has over 20 years of municipal and school district experience. In addition to her time at Atlantis Charter School, Kara has spent many years as an external auditor as well as serving as Director of Finance for Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District and Comptroller for Bridgewater State University. She has a Masters in Accountancy and has taught the Governmental and Non-Profit Accounting course as a Visiting Lecturer for several semesters at Bridgewater State.  She is also certified as a School Business Official and Certified Public Purchasing Official in Massachusetts.  She is also serving as an elected official as Vice Chair for her hometown Finance Committee.

Rob has over 25 years of experience in the food service industry.  Rob started his career in food service management working at Keene State College dining services while earning his undergraduate degree. After college Rob worked for several colleges and universities dining programs; Regis College, Harvard University and Boston University attaining the position as Director of Dining Services for two locations. In the late 1990’ Rob transitioned into public school food service. Rob's experience includes; managing several small and large self operated districts; Bedford, Cambridge and Newton public schools as well as a stint working in contract management for the Natick public schools. In 2011 Rob obtained his license as a business manager and in 2012 started working for the Agawam Public Schools as the school business administrator where he oversees a successful self operated food service program

Lindsey Albernaz is a Certified Public Accountant, former auditor in the Governmental and Nonprofit public accounting sector and is currently the Business Manager for READS Collaborative located in Middleboro, MA. While starting her career out in public accounting in 2005, Lindsey transitioned into the public education beginning as the joint Director of Business and Finance for the Somerset Public Schools and Somerset Berkley Regional School District in 2014. She joined READS Collaborative in 2019. Lindsey holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in Taxation. She currently lives with her husband and two daughters in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.

Kirsteen serves as the Director of Finance and Operations at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School District, overseeing the district's financial planning, budgeting, and operational functions. With a strong background in public school administration, Kirsteen ensures fiscal responsibility while driving initiatives that support student achievement and district goals. Kirsteen is dedicated to fostering transparent communication, streamlining processes, and implementing innovative solutions to optimize resources and enhance operational efficiency.

Chris Bock, Director of Risk Management, brings over 20 years of experience in comprehensive financial underwriting and benefit consulting. Chris is dedicated to client retention and growth by forecasting and evaluating financial risks. His responsibilities include developing annual and multi-year health and welfare benefit strategies, ensuring program satisfaction, and managing cost expectations.

With each boasting over 30 years of experience, Susan and Deb are seasoned professionals committed to delivering strategic benefits planning to clients. Both Susan and Deb bring forth distinctive solutions tailored for employers. Their unwavering dedication to enhancing savings and achieving superior outcomes establishes a clear trajectory for the future. Their extensive knowledge and expertise enable them to thoroughly comprehend and address the specific needs of each client.

Jared is the Vice President of LITIX and former CFOO and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations.