Warts and All: How Honest Data Storytelling Built Renewal Confidence

Charter renewal season can feel high-stakes, even for well-performing schools. Between shifting benchmarks, complex dashboards, and anxious stakeholders, it's easy for strong performance to get lost in translation.

This session highlights how two charter leaders approached renewal challenges with transparency, data fluency, and compelling storytelling. Participants will hear how the presenters learned to reframe academic and operational data to align with authorizer expectations, build trust with board members and staff, and address tough questions head-on—without defensiveness or spin. Whether a school is up for renewal soon or just want to be better prepared, this session offers practical communication strategies and real-life examples to help participants navigate the process with clarity and confidence.

Presented by

1 Brent Daniels

Superintendent
Leadership Public Schools

Dr. Brent Daniels is the Superintendent and CEO of Leadership Public Schools, a Bay Area charter network serving diverse communities through its campuses in Hayward, Oakland R&D, and Richmond. With over three decades of experience in public education, he leads with a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and student success—regardless of a student’s background. A holder of three degrees from the University of California, Berkeley—a B.A. in Physical Education, an M.A., and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership—Dr. Daniels successfully led LPS Oakland R&D and LPS Richmond through charter renewals during the 2025–2026 school year. Dr. Daniels is guided by the belief: “Forward is the pace, no matter what.”

Kat Michiels

Director of Student Data Services
Charter Impact

Kat is a seasoned education professional with over 15 years of experience in data management, assessment, and accountability. At Charter Impact, she leads student data services, helping schools turn data into actionable insights that drive student success. Previously, Kat held leadership roles at Denver Public Schools and Caddo Parish Public Schools, where she designed predictive models, implemented early warning systems for at-risk students, and managed district-wide processes for over $300 million in ESSER and pandemic relief funds. Her work has helped schools set priorities, improve performance, and meet strategic goals through clear, impactful data storytelling. Kat holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Counseling, and a doctorate in Leadership Studies, where she focused her research on job demands, leadership, and teacher burnout. Based in Denver, she enjoys hiking, baking, and spending time with her spouse and dog.

Kennedy Hilario

CEO
ACE Charter Schools

Mr. Hilario is currently the CEO of ACE Charter Schools, where he is responsible for managing the finances, operations, compliance and fundraising, as well as guiding the instructional recovery of the student community after the pandemic setback. Kennedy comes to ACE with a track record of leading growth, financial and academic achievement in several charter school networks in California and Massachusetts and has assisted in the turnaround of district schools. He is a native Spanish speaker and has extensive knowledge of the K-12 school space - including deep experience working with student populations from low-income communities.

1 Lisa Gonzales

Chief Operations Officer
The O'Farrell Charter Schools

Dr. Lisa Gonzales is Chief Operations Officer at The O'Farrell Charter Schools, former ACSA President, and was selected by President Obama as a "Future Ready Superintendent." She oversees operational strategy and support for a multi-campus charter system serving diverse student populations. With prior experience as Associate Superintendent of Operations and Finance at Marysville School District and Chief Business Officer at Mt. Diablo Unified, Dr. Gonzales has managed budgets exceeding $200 million and led cross-functional teams across departments such as facilities, transportation, nutrition, and finance. She holds multiple certifications in business management and is known for her systems-thinking approach, integrating strategic planning with operational execution. Committed to building future-ready schools, Dr. Gonzales drives collaboration and continuous improvement to ensure all operational functions support the success and well-being of students and staff.

Sebastian Cognetta

CEO
Allegiance STEAM Academy - Thrive

Sebastian Cognetta is the CEO of Allegiance STEAM Academy, a charter organization serving students in the Inland Empire. With over 15 years of leadership experience in public education, Sebastian is committed to creating systems that elevate stakeholder voice, expand school choice, and promote academic excellence through innovation and community engagement.