Learning First Alliance Team

Richard M. LongExecutive Director
Richard M. Long is a nationally known advocate, writer and commentator on pre-K-12 issues and federal policy. Prior to joining LFA, he spent the past four decades working in education policy, including 37 years as the Government Relations Director for the International Reading Association. He also concurrently served as Executive Director/Government Relations Director for the National Title I Association from 1995 to 2014. He earned bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees from George Washington University.
Charlotte BlaneDirector of Communications
Charlotte Blane brings over 20 years of experience in the non-profit K-12 education sector. Most recently, she spent more than seven years at the National School Boards Association (NSBA), developing and implementing digital communication strategies. Before joining NSBA, Charlotte served as the Communications Director at an education research center of the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development. Earlier in her career, she spent over seven years at AEL (now McREL International), where she contributed to major education initiatives, including a Regional Education Research Laboratory and a Comprehensive Technical Assistance Center. Charlotte holds a bachelor’s degree from the City University of New York at Baruch and an MBA from the University of Miami.
Dante D'AmorePolicy Associate
Dante D’Amore is a recent graduate of American University’s School of Public Affairs where he obtained a master’s in public administration with an education policy emphasis. While working towards his degree, he interned at the American Federation of Teachers focusing on topics such as community schools, early childhood education, and voucher programs. Prior to working at the AFT, he spent his time volunteering on presidential and state level political campaigns in his home state of Michigan where he also ran for his local school board.

Board of Directors

The Learning First Alliance (LFA) Board is composed of chief executive officers and other senior staff of each Alliance member organization. The Board meets at least six times each year to determine Alliance policy and practice. LFA is governed by a set of By-Laws.

2024-25 Board Chair:
Frederick Brown
Learning Forward

2024-25 Secretary-Treasurer:
Barbara M. Hunter
National School Public Relations Association

Immediate Past Chair:
Jill Cook
American School Counselor Association

Board members: