Agenda
Advancing Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding,
and Permissionless education.
Innovation is the engine of American progress — and nowhere is it more urgently needed than in education. Through the lens of the Yass Prize’s four pillars — Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless — we’ll highlight the people, programs and policymakers proving that when innovation meets freedom, students, families, and communities flourish.
11:30am–4:00pm Lunch and Afternoon Panels
Location: Ronald Reagan Building
Opening & Welcome: Caroline Allen, Center for Education Reform
Panel | Educating for America’s 250th
Moderated by
Ian Rowe
With
Dzana Homan
PragerU
Honorable Kim Reynolds
Governor of Iowa
Spotlight | Mike Gonzalez, Rural Schools Innovation Zone (2024 Yass Prize Finalist)
Panel | Rebuilding the American Workforce
Moderated by
Paul Fain
Work Shift
With
Lisa Mcintyre-Hite
C-BEN Solutions
Mike Felton
St. George MCU
Nick Moore
Deputy Assistant Secretary, OCTAE
Spotlight | Portia Green, Pritchard Preparatory School (2022 Yass Prize Semifinalist)
Panel | Making Children Healthy AgainModerated by
Diana Diaz-Harrison
Arizona Autism Charter Schools*
Moderated by
Diana Diaz-Harrison
Arizona Autism Charter Schools
With
Mike Long
SailFuture
Kate Eberle Walker
Presence
Laura Cassidy
Louisiana Key Academy Schools
Spotlight | Keith Brooks, National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators (2023 Yass Prize Finalist)
Panel | Power to the States: Trailblazers Share their Experiences
Moderated by
Pat Brantley
Friendship Public Charter School
With
Jamie Candee
Edmentum
Kirsten Baesler
Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education
Tammy Wincup
Securly
Spotlight | Mary Jo Fairhead, Onward Learning (2024 Yass Prize Finalist)
5:00pm–10:00pm Evening Program & 2025 Yass Prize Awards
Location: Ronald Reagan Building (Atrium)
Opening & Welcome: Jeanne Allen, Center for Education Reform
Panel | The Alpha, The Omega and AI
Moderated by
Randall Lane
Forbes
With
Joe Leimandt
Trilogy Software, ESW Capital & Alpha School
Steve Grubbs
VictoryXR
Fireside Chat | Who Should Control the Future of Education – Government or Families?
Moderated by
Jeanne Allen
Center for Education Reform
With
Senator Marsha Blackburn
State of Tennessee
Fireside Chat | How to Ensure Full and Fair Funding Follows the Child
Moderated by
Randall Lane
Forbes
With
Janine Yass
Paul Clement
Clement & Murphy,
Former US Solicitor GeneralKeynote | The Honorable Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury
How Education Fuels Mobility, Growth, and Competitiveness
Follow up discussion: Advancing School Choice, from DC to the StatesModerated by
Jeanne Allen
Center for Education Reform
With
Jeff Yass
The Honorable Scott Bessent
Secretary of the Treasury
Anthony Brock
Valiant Cross Academy
Presentation of the Yass Prize Alumni Award
and the $1 Million Yass Prize with Jeff and Janine Yass
* Invited speakers