2025 Eddies Awards: Suzanne Kubach PIE Network Weaver of the Year

The Eddies—annual, advocate-nominated and voted awards—feature strategic advocacy that is driving impactful policy change.

This Eddies category honors an individual local, state, or national leader who embodies the “give and get” spirit of PIE Network. Recipients of this award consistently work to build and strengthen the impact of the Network and the sector. This category recognizes individuals who are super connectors, working behind the scenes to share ideas, resources, and strategies and to support, connect, and amplify the policy and advocacy work of their peers and intentionally support the leadership of other advocates. This category was previously called Network MVP.

See a complete list of 2025 nominees in all Eddies categories. Staff at PIE Network members and partner organizations, check your inbox for a link to vote in each category or log in and vote here. Questions? Email [email protected].

Suzanne Kubach Network Weaver of the Year Winner

Rebecca Sibilia

Executive Director, EdFund

SUMMARY

Rebecca Sibilia has embodied the give-and-get spirit of the Network by serving as THE go-to expert and strategist—publicly with research, data, and pressure and behind the scenes through relationships, on-call advice, and investment—to support other PIE Network members’ work on improving their student funding formulas, directly impacting the biggest recent wins in improving school funding adequacy and equity.

EXAMPLES OF REBECCA’S ADVOCACY

Rebecca is the ultimate Network Weaver; this award is YEARS in the making (like the wins she’s championed). For 10+ years, Rebecca has worked with PIE Network members across the country to make the case for school funding reform. She raised awareness and led the field to build basic policy consensus around school funding, becoming the savviest expert in our ecosystem, working with advocacy campaigns in early states. Recognizing the sector needed more robust and coordinated support, she strategically shifted her focus and position, seeding greater infrastructure to support advocacy efforts. Now, while building an arsenal of researchers and relevant studies through her new org, EdFund, Rebecca and her team are filling in crucial gaps in knowledge and laying more groundwork for equitable school finance reform. But the resume doesn’t nearly capture what Rebecca brings to the PIE Network. From big coalition wins in TN, MS, and CO to efforts still in the works that may yet yield major change, members know they can rely on Rebecca not only for expertise but also for a sounding board, connections, and strategic advice on what the next play should be (+ maybe some 90s hip hop). Call, email, or text, day or night, and she answers, comes to your state, and meets with your coalition and legislators, publicly or privately. The result: lots of members have seen her as their secret weapon—but an open secret, because if you ask a Network colleague how to get funding reform done in your state, chances are they’ll say, “You should talk to Rebecca…”

Or as Dr. Dre might say:

“Who you think taught you about tax policy?

Who you think brought you the first school-funding Eddies?

Connecticut’s, Colorado’s, and Tennessee’s?

The mighty Mississippi’s

And the states makin’ progress you can’t yet see.

Gave you a simulator to model weighted funding

To show legislators the money for schools in their hood

And when your formula was broke and your strategy no good

Who’s the Expert they told you to go see?’

BRINGING THE PIE NETWORK COMMUNITY AGREEMENT TO LIFE

Rebecca excels at building relationships—she’s a natural people person. She shows up on the ground and puts in the time to understand the players and connect meaningfully and authentically. That’s one characteristic of a Network weaver that I think also demonstrates embodying the PIE Network Community Agreement—it’s why so many people count Rebecca as a friend and would say they know her. And I’ve encountered numerous young women leaders across PIE Network over the years who look up to her as a mentor and model of leadership in the sector.

Rebecca is also known for her balance of directness and diplomacy and her ability to work across lines of difference. She deftly maneuvers among players, relying on years of experience. She’s forged successful partnerships with organizations across the political spectrum and has navigated policy processes and different positions on tricky issues like school choice and local control in red, blue, and purple states. She finds the tie that binds —wanting to get things done for kids—and meets them there.

Finally, Rebecca takes risks. She had the guts as a founder to put a time limit on her first org and shut down as promised when it was clear a different approach was needed. She is constantly learning from both progress and setbacks (+ taking accountability and even falling on the sword for others when mistakes are made). For instance, in early advocacy efforts, she often played a lead role; she’s often known as being out front in the spotlight, but when it became necessary, she shifted strategies. Remarkably, her greatest impact has been working behind the scenes, putting pieces in play, connecting the gaps, and then letting others take the credit. Ask any of the PIE Network coalition members behind big school funding wins over the past several years in TN, MS, and CO—either they’ll tell you about Rebecca’s direct help and influence, or they’ll speak to a support (e.g., simulator; extra capacity) that she put into position.

RESOURCES

Nominated by: Eric Lerum, Teach Plus

Suzanne Kubach Network Weaver of the Year Nominees

Chad Aldis

Vice President for Ohio Policy, Thomas B. Fordham Institute

SUMMARY

Chad Aldis is relentlessly committed to collaboration. He shares his time and expertise, critical research and data, offers feedback and insights, and works with PIE Network members and others to support all aspects of PIE Network’s policy pillars. He is especially dedicated to ensuring quality choice for students and families, high expectations and supports for all students through support and innovation with literacy/numeracy, graduation requirements, career education, and improving educator quality.

Chad has embodied the give-and-get spirit of the Network by working in coalition toward the goal of creating, protecting, and improving robust and effective assessment and accountability systems to support other PIE Network members’ work on this issue at both the national and state level. Finding consensus on these issues is challenging and Chad has been highly successful at identifying key principles and positions and building consensus around them.

EXAMPLES OF CHAD’S ADVOCACY

Chad has been a thoughtful and consistent ally to those working to improve education in Ohio and across the country. He has contributed to advancing educational priorities, benefitting Ohio students regardless of their academic and career goals.

One key example is his partnership with Ohio Excels and other advocacy organizations to push for expanded career-connected learning. His insights helped shape legislative proposals designed to give students earlier exposure to career pathways and better tools to plan for their futures. This included a robust proposal designed with Ohio Excels and Data Quality Campaign to create an Education and Workforce Data Insight Board to help state leaders use data more effectively to support students.

He also played a major role in recent efforts to strengthen Ohio’s early literacy policies. From defending the Third Grade Reading Guarantee to supporting legislation that aligns reading instruction with the science of reading, Chad’s work—and his willingness to support the efforts of others—advanced the conversation and elevated the importance of evidence-based reading practices.

Chad was also instrumental in revising Ohio’s graduation requirements several years ago, ensuring the new framework reflected both high academic expectations and flexible, career-aligned pathways. His support for expanded computer science access and the creation of the new Department of Education and Workforce further shows his commitment to systemwide improvements, as well as his ability to move these ideas forward in collaboration with others.

His relentless pursuit of quality education choices for students has markedly improved quality and transparency in Ohio’s choice eco-system.

Chad is also a thought leader at the national level as a member of PIE Network’s Board, the Literacy Community of Practice Steering Committee, and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Chad has been a leading voice on assessment and accountability issues, including through the PIE Leaders Council on Assessment & Accountability and Education First’s Assessment and Accountability Learning Network. Throughout numerous meetings and convenings, participants discussed difficult issues on which there are conflicting opinions, e.g., whether we should continue annual, statewide assessments, whether we should assess all students or just a sample, and whether local assessments should be allowed in lieu of statewide. Chad has been a leading voice of reason in these discussions and an adept negotiator, leaning heavily on evidence and research and what is in the best interests of students. Chad is highly willing and able to work across the political spectrum to find consensus on assessments and accountability.

BRINGING THE PIE NETWORK COMMUNITY AGREEMENT TO LIFE

Chad embodies all aspects of the PIE Network’s Community Agreement in his daily work. He actively engages in conversations and builds authentic relationships with members through warmth, candor, and humor. He engages effectively, credits others for their insights, and argues with tact and respect on issues on which he is in disagreement with other members. He brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise into conversations around assessments and accountability with network members.

He shows respect for others by listening with care, offering thoughtful feedback, and being responsive, even when the issue isn’t directly tied to his own work. Chad has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student-centered policy solutions and a deeply collaborative approach to advocacy.

A signature of his work is his willingness to serve as a sounding board and strategic partner. He’s someone whom others routinely call when they need a quick policy read, a trusted perspective, or help refining a strategy. Even when he’s not leading the charge on a particular issue, he looks for ways to strengthen the broader effort by contributing research, shaping messaging, or simply encouraging others doing the work.

Chad is also quick to share tactics, policy research, and communications materials that help other advocates be more effective. He builds trust by keeping the focus on students and staying grounded in evidence. He remains calm in moments of disagreement and looks for areas of alignment that allow coalitions to stay united and productive.

Importantly, Chad also creates space for others to lead. He mentors newer stakeholders, connects people across organizations, and elevates diverse voices in the education policy space. His collaborative style strengthens not just the day-to-day work of education advocacy but also Ohio’s broader reform community. And while the work is serious, Chad’s sense of humor and approachable nature make him a partner whom people genuinely enjoy working with.

What sets Chad apart is not just his knowledge but the way he uses it: to empower others, build coalitions, and push for change. His leadership and deep respect for the work of others make him a true connector. He reflects the collaborative mindset the PIE Network values by being part of the conversation and strengthening it, helping others to be more effective, and keeping the focus where it belongs — on students.

RESOURCES

Chad contributed to the PIE Network pillar of High Expectations through his work on assessments and accountability. He’s quoted in this recent piece from the National Urban League.
Chad also penned this testimony on a number of key education issues in Ohio that included transparency and accountability.
Learn more about Chad’s work at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

Nominated by: Charles Barone, National Parents Union (NPU) and Lisa Gray, Ohio Excels

Dr. Priscilla Aquino Garza

Senior Director, Educate Texas

SUMMARY

Priscilla has embodied the give-and-get spirit of the Network by actively connecting members across Texas & nationally to share strategies and lessons on teacher pathways, educational pathways, apprenticeships, & workforce policies. She consistently promotes high expectations for students & educators, uplifts others’ leadership, shares tools & insights, and fosters collaborations that strengthen collective advocacy on advancing rigorous, high-quality, & sustainable educator & student pipelines.

EXAMPLES OF PRISCILLA’S ADVOCACY

During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, Priscilla Aquino Garza played a pivotal role in advancing policies that improve student opportunities and outcomes, particularly through her leadership in coalition-building and behind-the-scenes strategy work. In her role, Priscilla served as the backbone of the organization’s policy efforts, guiding collaboration among key PIE Network partners, including Deans For Impact, Texas 2036, The Commit Partnership, Philanthropy Advocates, EdTrust Texas, and DFER Texas. Notably, Priscilla had recently stepped back into a policy role after leading Educate Texas’ effective educators programmatic work, and she did so seamlessly, as if no time had passed. Her deep knowledge of the issues, paired with her natural ability to connect people, allowed her to quickly navigate the fast-moving session and re-engage in complex policy discussions with ease. She not only convened these diverse groups but worked intentionally to align messaging, strategies, and advocacy plans, ensuring the coalition maintained a unified front on critical issues such as public school funding, career and technical education, and educator workforce pipelines. Through countless strategy calls, joint letters, briefings, and member education, she kept partners grounded in the shared goal of delivering results for Texas students. Priscilla also leveraged her long-standing relationships with legislators, staffers, and agency leaders to open doors for the Texas coalition, securing opportunities for key meetings, inserting coalition feedback at critical moments, and sharing insights on political dynamics that helped others navigate the complex Texas policy landscape. She frequently served as the connector between grassroots voices, Capitol stakeholders, and advocacy organizations, amplifying others’ leadership along the way. Her steady leadership and deep commitment to high expectations for all students helped deliver wins like the historic $8.5B investment in public education.

BRINGING THE PIE NETWORK COMMUNITY AGREEMENT TO LIFE

Priscilla is deeply committed to elevating others’ leadership. She regularly creates space for others to lead, ensuring partners, emerging advocates, and community-based voices are heard and recognized. Her collaborative approach allows others to grow while keeping students at the center of the work. She is also a reflective leader, consistently seeking feedback, sharing takeaways after key advocacy moments, & refining strategies with her peers to improve collective impact.

RESOURCES

Nominated by: Patrick Steck, Deans for Impact

Rebecca Sibilia

Executive Director, EdFund

SUMMARY

EXAMPLES OF REBECCA’S ADVOCACY

Or as Dr. Dre might say:

“Who you think taught you about tax policy?

Who you think brought you the first school-funding Eddies?

Connecticut’s, Colorado’s, and Tennessee’s?

The mighty Mississippi’s

And the states makin’ progress you can’t yet see.

Gave you a simulator to model weighted funding

To show legislators the money for schools in their hood

And when your formula was broke and your strategy no good

Who’s the Expert they told you to go see?’

BRINGING THE PIE NETWORK COMMUNITY AGREEMENT TO LIFE

RESOURCES

Nominated by: Eric Lerum, Teach Plus

Suzanne Kubach Network Weaver of the Year Winner

Suzanne Kubach Network Weaver of the Year Nominees

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