Education and Its Impact on Economic Development

Dave Stakebake

Dave is the Assistant Director of Strategic Employer Development for Career and Professional Development Services at Arizona State University. His primary goal within Corporate Engagement and Partnerships is to identify and engage with businesses throughout Arizona to provide internship and employment opportunities for current Sun Devils and alumni. Dave has expertise in developing strategic internship plans and innovative hiring practices that unite ASU graduates with Arizona employers. Dave holds a Master degree in Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science and Interpersonal Communication.
 

Christine M. Thompson

Christine M. Thompson is President and CEO of Expect More Arizona, a nonpartisan, nonprofit championing a high quality education system for all Arizonans, regardless of zip code.
 
Ms. Thompson has been involved in public policy for over two decades. Prior to joining Expect More Arizona, she served as an executive consultant to Achieve60AZ, as the Executive Director of the Arizona State Board of Education, as Associate Vice President for Government Affairs for the Arizona Board of Regents, and as Director of Government Relations for the State Bar of Arizona. Her background also includes work in communications, development and alumni relations, and nonprofit management. 
 
Active in the community, Ms. Thompson currently serves as Vice President of the University of Arizona Law College Association Board of Directors. She has served as a member of the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education Board of Directors, as Chairman of Kids Voting Arizona, as Treasurer of Soroptomist International of  Phoenix, and, appointed by Governor Hull, as Student Regent on the Arizona Board of Regents. A proud product of Arizona's public education system, she attended K-12 in Arizona public schools, and received her BA and JD from the University of Arizona.

Rachel Yanof

Rachel Yanof is the Executive Director of Achieve60AZ, the goal to see 60% of Arizonans achieve a degree or certificate by 2030. Rachel came to Arizona in 2003 as a Teach For America corps member. Rachel taught eighth grade history at C.O. Greenfield in the Roosevelt School District for four years. Following that life-changing experience, Rachel was accepted to the Building Excellent Schools Fellowship and from that founded Phoenix Collegiate Academy in 2009, in South Phoenix serving a 95% Title I population. Phoenix Collegiate Academy, under Rachel's leadership, was the Arizona Charter School of the Year in 2011 and saw over 80% of high school graduates go to a 4-year university. Upon choosing to move on from PCA, the school had expanded to three campuses and a full K-12 offering. Rachel has worked with and supported a variety of educational initiatives such as SEED SPOT's High School program, Scholamatch.com, and #EducateAZ. As a passionate educator, Rachel sits on various boards such as First Things First Phoenix South, Support My Club, and the Arizona Board for Charter Schools. Rachel earned her BA from Georgetown University, and her MA from Arizona State University. She has been married to Joe since 2010 and they have three amazing and energetic young children.