Silver Spring, MD – July 1, 2025 – In the midst of a rapidly changing education and workforce policy landscape, strong and effective state leadership is crucial to ensure systems are adaptable to these changes while also providing experiences that support every learner in their journey to career success. Career Technical Education (CTE) stands at the nexus of education and workforce development for learners from middle school through adulthood.
Since 1920, Advance CTE has been the leading national organization supporting state CTE leaders through federal advocacy, professional development, state policy supports, and technical assistance. Today, Advance CTE is pleased to announce its 2025-2026 Board of Directors, recently elected by its national network of members.
Representing 12 states across secondary, postsecondary and workforce systems , the paths of these leaders to state leadership are varied and unique. These paths include serving as a family resource management and nutrition postsecondary educator, a Job Corps Deputy Center Director, a school administrator, and a district CTE director.
“Career Technical Education is more important than ever to the strength of our workforce and the future of our communities. It transforms the lives of learners from every walk of life and empowers them to create the futures they want through rewarding, sustainable careers. That kind of impact doesn’t stop with individuals; it ripples out and strengthens entire communities,” professed Dr. Brittney Baptiste Williams, 2025-2026 Advance CTE Board of Directors President and Director of Grants Administration for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. “As President of the Board of Directors and a postsecondary state leader, I’m honored to stand alongside so many dedicated voices in our CTE ecosystem, working to make that transformation possible every day.”
“I am grateful and excited to lead Advance CTE alongside an accomplished and passionate Board of Directors,” stated Kate Kreamer, executive director of Advance CTE. “Our leadership reflects the depth and breadth of our dynamic CTE system, which provides high-quality experiences for career exploration and preparation for learners in middle and high school as well as credentials and degrees through postsecondary programs and workforce reskilling and upskilling opportunities. I’m excited for our work ahead to ensure every CTE leader has the necessary knowledge and skills, funding, and resources to transform state systems, career pathways, and the lives of more than 11 million learners we serve.”
In October, Advance CTE will host CTE Unlocked: A Summit to Shape the Future of the Skilled Workforce, an invite-only convening of state and national education and workforce leaders to develop a vision for the future of Career Technical Education.
President: Dr. Brittney Baptiste Williams, Director Of Grants Administration, Louisiana Community & Technical College System
Vice President: Jacque Treaster, Director of Dual Enrollment and Career & Technical Education, Montana University System
Secretary/Treasurer: Richard Kincaid, Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of College and Career Pathways, Maryland State Department of Education
Past President: Thalea Longhurst, State CTE Director, Utah State Board of Education
Regional Representatives:
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Elizabeth L. Bennett, State CTE Director, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Candi Collier, State CTE Director, Tennessee Department of Education
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Leah Amstutz, State CTE Director, Ohio Department of Education
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Dr. Michelle Aldrich, State CTE Director, Wyoming Department of Education
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Jennell Ives, State CTE Director, Oregon Department of Education
Associate Member Representative: Donna Lewelling, Director, Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
State Associate Member Representative: Maria Swygert Ed.S., Team Lead, Career Readiness Administrator, South Carolina Department of Education
At-Large Representatives:
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Breezy Gutierrez, State CTE Director, Director, College and Career Readiness Bureau, New Mexico Public Education Department
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Wayde Sick, State CTE Director, North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education
Read more about Advance CTE’s 2025-2026 Board of Directors and the latest annual report on its organizational accomplishments to support every member’s unique CTE journey, modernize the National Career Clusters Framework, and champion CTE in federal policy.
Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports state CTE leadership to advance high-quality CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career and college success without limits for each learner.
Media Contact: Stacy Whitehouse, [email protected]
