Alexandria, Va., August 12, 2024 – The Learning First Alliance (LFA), an alliance of associations advancing trust, investment, and equity in public education for each and every learner, is pleased to announce the election of Frederick Brown, president and CEO of Learning Forward, as the Chair of its Board of Directors.
Barbara M. Hunter, executive director of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), has been elected Secretary/Treasurer, and Jill Cook, CAE, executive director of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and 2023-24 LFA Chair, will serve on the board as immediate past Chair.
Frederick Brown brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to improving student outcomes by advancing high-quality professional learning for educators. As the president and CEO of Learning Forward, he has been a champion of supporting teachers’ and leaders’ continuous learning so that education systems worldwide are well-equipped to serve students and their families. Brown’s experience as an organizational leader, school principal, and classroom teacher will be instrumental in guiding LFA’s mission to promote the success and well-being of each and every student.
Barbara M. Hunter, the new Secretary/Treasurer, has a distinguished career in education communications. As the executive director of NSPRA, she has championed the importance of strategic communication in supporting student success. Hunter’s expertise will be invaluable in strengthening LFA’s work.
“The Learning First Alliance has experienced growth and progress under the leadership of our past chairs, each bringing fresh insights and vision to the role,” said Richard M. Long, LFA executive director. “Frederick Brown’s dedication to exemplary professional learning and Barbara Hunter’s expertise in meaningful communication will further enhance our collective efforts to support public education and students’ educational success.”
“As our new chair, Frederick Brown will build on the Alliance’s shared goals, commitment to addressing challenges, and active engagement with our members to find solutions,” continued Long. “His vision and leadership will benefit the organization as we continue our work on behalf of students and their educators.”
Frederick Brown expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “It is an honor to serve as chair of the Learning First Alliance. In this pivotal time for public education, our collective efforts to support and elevate the teaching profession are more important than ever. I look forward to working with our member organizations to drive meaningful change.”
Barbara M. Hunter echoed these sentiments, saying, “I am excited to take on the role of Secretary/Treasurer. Effective communication is crucial in building public support for education, and I am committed to integrating its importance into our work and mission.”
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About the Learning First Alliance: The Learning First Alliance is an alliance of associations advancing trust, investment, and equity in public education for each and every learner. Alliance members include: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; AASA: The School Superintendents Association; American Federation of Teachers; American School Counselor Association; Consortium for School Networking; Learning Forward; National Association of Elementary School Principals; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Education Association; National PTA; National School Boards Association, National School Public Relations Association, and PDK International.
