The Future of Public Education in Massachusetts
Launch Breakfast

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

8:30-10:30 AM

Edgerley Center for Civic Leadership at the Boston Foundation
75 Arlington Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA

What if high school students could access advanced courses, exceptional teachers, and career-connected learning—regardless of their zip code and school assignment?

Across Massachusetts, a new model is breaking down barriers between schools—expanding access to advanced academics, culturally relevant and specialized courses, and student-driven, career-connected learning.

Join The Boston Foundation and Campus Without Walls, in partnership with the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy and Mass. Business Alliance for Education, for a dynamic breakfast convening with a growing network of educators, industry partners, funders and cross-sector leaders shaping what’s next in public education.

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About Campus Without Walls

Campus Without Walls (CWW) is a groundbreaking statewide initiative that uses technology to reimagine how public education is delivered across Massachusetts. We imagine a Commonwealth where every student, whether in Greater Boston, the North Shore, the South Shore, Western Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the islands, or anywhere in between can learn from exceptional educators, explore high-growth careers, and shape a personalized learning pathway aligned to their future.

Our mission is to transform how education is delivered by connecting schools, educators, and industry partners through a statewide virtual learning consortium that ensures equitable access to excellent teaching, career-connected learning, and student agency – so every learner can shape their own educational journey, regardless of zip code, school assignment, or district resources.

Featured Speakers

Lee Pelton
President & CEO
The Boston Foundation

Rob Consalvo
Massachusetts State Representative

Ed Lambert
Executive Director
Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education

Dr. Gisele C. Shorter
President & CEO
Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Dr. Regina Robinson
Special Assistant to the Commissioner
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Program Overview

8:30 am Breakfast

9:00 am Program Begins

Opening Remarks

Lee Pelton, President & CEO, The Boston Foundation
Ayele Shakur, Co-Founder and Chairman, Campus Without Walls
Rob Consalvo, Massachusetts State Representative

Voices from the Field: Educators, Students, and Industry Partners

Milly Arbaje-Thomas, Chief of Staff, Campus Without Walls
Bruce Pontbriand, History Teacher, TechBoston Academy
Ryan Kinser, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
Student Representative (TBD)

Message from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Dr. Regina Robinson, Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Education for Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach, DESE

Panel Discussion: Redesigning Public Education for the Future

Dr. Chad d’Entremont, Executive Director, Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy (Moderator)
Anne McKenzie, Superintendent, Hadley Public Schools
Rob Consalvo, Massachusetts State Representative
Regina Robinson, Special Assistant to the Commissioner
Dr. Gisele C. Shorter, President & CEO, Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Panel Discussion: Career Pathways and Industry Partnerships

Ron Walker, Campus Without Walls Interim Director and Strategic Advisor, and Former Massachusetts Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development (Moderator)
Ed Lambert, Executive Director, Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education
JD LaRock, President & CEO, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
Alice Avakian, Founder, Co-Chair Financial Literacy Initiative, CFA Society Boston