The 2019 CFES Brilliant Pathways National Conference is designed to equip educators with the tools to improve the lives of the students they serve. Few people have done that more effectively than the featured guests on the “How to Change Life Trajectories in a Disruptive World” panel slated for Nov. 2 at the Sagamore Resort on Lake George.

The all-star panel starting at 8:45 am features Ranjit Sidhu, President & CEO of the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships; Karen Watts, superintendent of schools in Brooklyn with over 200,000 students; and Greg Muccio, Director of Talent Acquisition at Southwest Airlines.

CFES board member Porter Braswell, CEO and co-founder of Jopwell – a technology platform that helps Black, Latinx, and Native American students and professionals advance their careers – will serve as moderator.

“This panel defines the purpose of education and everything we do at CFES, so to have this powerful group share their experiences is a dream come true,” said CFES President and CEO Rick Dalton. “They will affirm what we know is possible for all students regardless of their circumstances.”

Sidhu has a long history of service to NCCEP and its primary constituency, GEAR UP. His career has been anchored in creating opportunities for students from low-income families, and in leading organizations to enhance social impact and growth.

Watts overseas one of the largest school districts in the country. She previously served as superintendent of 47 high schools in Brooklyn. Watts started as a teacher at Grover Cleveland High School, later serving as principal at CFES Brilliant Pathways’ Wadleigh Secondary School in Harlem.

Muccio is responsible for leading Southwest’s Talent Acquisition Teams, employment branding, workforce development, and hiring strategy. This include 120 Leaders, Recruiters, Specialists, Analysts and Coordinators. He offers unique insight into what a major company like Southwest looks for most when hiring students out of high school and college.

Under Braswell’s leadership, Jopwell has formed partnerships with more than 100 of America’s leading companies and facilitated thousands of connections between the Jopwell community members and its clients. He is author of “Let Them See You,” a guide for Leveraging Your Diversity at Work.”

The 2019 National Conference kicks off on October 31 with a daylong workshop where participants can earn a College & Career Readiness Professional Development Certificate, issued by CFES Brilliant Pathways.