Marla Dean is a veteran educator, administrator, and non-profit chief executive officer with significant leadership experience. Marla currently serves as a full-time education, non-profit, and policy consultant. She is an ASCD Understanding by Design® and Whole Child Cadre member and has professional learning consultant expertise in community engagement, early childhood education, whole child and two-generation policy, turnaround school leadership, equity and inclusion, instructional leadership, high-expertise teaching, continuous improvement, and data-driven instruction. She is a national leader in the whole child school improvement approach and the resulting needed policies, practices, and influences on the school community at various national venues.