WHO WE ARE
A Boutique Consultancy With the Reach of a Movement
Elevate is both small and expansive: a high-agility core team connected to dozens of trusted partners. Together, we operate as a collective backbone that coordinates ecosystems of leaders, funders, and organizations to drive systemic change.
focused expertise for system alignment.
Elevate is a high-agility team with a deep practitioner bench. We avoid over-engineered tools in favor of practical routines that fit real conditions. Drawing on decades in classrooms and state/regional/local agencies, we align policy, people, and practice; triage strengths and gaps; and build durable capacity that sustains improvement from schools to statewide.
Meet Our Hub Community
We are a small, high-agility core team with deep system leadership experience. Our partners expand our reach to meet the specific needs of each engagement.
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Ben Cronkright
Founder
Ben has dedicated his career to advancing school improvement and building educator capacity at every level—from classrooms to state systems. With experience as a principal, state education officer, and Program Director for large K-12 federal grants and contracts, he specializes in turning fragile systems into thriving ecosystems through collaboration and continuous improvement.
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Dr. Kellie Kim
Senior Advisor
Kellie Kim is a systems strategist and research leader with over 25 years of experience leading complex studies and strengthening K–12 education systems through evidence-to-action approaches. She has held senior roles across district, federal, and nonprofit organizations, directing major research portfolios, multi-year learning agendas, and performance frameworks that shape strategy and improve system coherence. Kellie focuses on turning data and evidence into aligned, actionable decisions—building learning systems, coordinating cross-sector partners, and equipping leaders with the tools and insights needed to drive improvement at scale.
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Lauren Maat
COO
Lauren is a founder and operator with deep experience helping mission-driven organizations scale. She has led operations and strategy across startups, venture studios, and her own company, audwell. She brings a founder’s mindset, clear systems thinking, and a focus on turning ambitious ideas into measurable, sustainable impact.
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Dr. Doug Greer
Implementation Lab Lead
Doug Greer is an experienced education leader and data strategist with over 25 years in K–12 teaching, school improvement, and system leadership. He has served as a superintendent, curriculum director, and regional director of school improvement, blending practical leadership with deep analytic expertise. Doug specializes in helping schools turn data into action—aligning strategy, systems, and culture to improve learning outcomes. His work connects evidence-based planning with the human side of implementation, building trust, coherence, and capacity at every level.
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Jill Weber
Impact Delivery Lead
Jill Weber is an experienced education leader with over 25 years in K–12 education. She has served as a teacher, reading specialist, coach, and Director of Learning Development. Jill specializes in literacy, project management, and professional learning that empowers educators and fosters student growth through evidence-based, sustainable programs.
meet our collective
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Joe Simpson, ED.s
Joe has over 40 years of experience in state and regional education leadership—including roles as Deputy Superintendent for the Wyoming Department of Education and Deputy Director of a federally funded Regional Comprehensive Center—he brings deep expertise in systems coherence and continuous improvement. A co-developer of the North Dakota School Renewal Guides, Simpson is known for connecting policy to practice and ensuring projects operate with precision, transparency, and accountability.
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Cheryl Abla, M.Ed.
Cheryl has over 20 years in education and a decade of experience partnering with SEAs and REAs nationwide, she excels at translating improvement science into daily instructional practice. A former teacher, instructional coach, and senior consultant at McREL International, Abla brings deep expertise in data-driven improvement and direct experience supporting schools and districts.
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Tamera Miyasato, M.Ed.
Tamera serves as a Cultural and Systems Design Specialist, supporting equity-centered school improvement across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. An Oglala Lakota educator and co-developer of the nationally recognized Woope Sakowin framework, she grounds leadership and instruction in Indigenous values. Miyasato helps schools design culturally rooted, data-driven systems that reflect community identity while advancing academic excellence.
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Kapono Ciotti, Inc
Dr. Kapono Ciotti serves as a Cultural and Systems Design Specialist, helping schools and districts embed culturally responsive practices within their improvement efforts. With over 20 years of experience leading education systems across the U.S. and internationally, he specializes in project-based learning, culturally responsive pedagogy, and Improvement Science. His work centers on designing instructional systems that honor local culture, strengthen belonging, and create sustainable, community-driven results.
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Dorothy Aguilera-Black Bear
Dorothy Aguilera-Black Bear, founder of International Consultants, brings 20+ years of community-based action research and implementation of evidence-based practices with tribal nation communities, schools, and colleges. Her culture-based approach to school improvement uses reflective processes to explore and create innovative learning spaces that strengthen community connections and deepen student engagement.
