Jan Abernathy is the Chief Communications Officer at The Browning School, a K-12 boys' school in New York City, and has presented at various independent school industry conferences sponsored by New York Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools, the Association of Independent Schools Admissions Professionals, the Enrollment Management Association, Niche, and VirCon. In addition to chairing the CASE-NAIS Conference in 2022 and co-chairing the NYSAIS Institutional Advancement Conference in 2022 and 2023, she is president of New York City Independent Schools Communications Professionals, and the co-founder of Black Advancement Networking Group, which works to gain further representation and greater professional growth of Black professionals in advancement roles in independent schools. She is also a member of the CASE Commission on Communications and Marketing, which advises that organization on those areas of the advancement profession.

She has written for NAIS’ Independent School Magazine on crisis communications, the "Black at" movement, Head/board chair communications, and diversity on boards of trustees, and for Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education's Connections Quarterly on building transformative alumni relationships. A Northwestern University graduate, Jan is currently a trustee at Grace Church School, and Tessa International School in Hoboken, NJ. She was on the board of Stevens Cooperative School, also in Hoboken, for 13 years, spending six years as chair. Her consulting firm, Jan Abernathy Strategic Communications, provides communications and DEI counsel for educational institutions and non-profits. Jan and her husband Jerome are parents of a daughter, Noe, and a son, Sam, both graduates of Stevens Cooperative School and the Dalton School.

Delcenia Collins-Murrell is the Director of Student Services for the Dean of Students office at Boston University (BU). She provides leadership and direction for the student support efforts across the division of Student Affairs and campus-wide that includes chairing the Student Intervention Team, leading and directing student case management, supporting basic needs efforts and programs, and overseeing the student emergency assistance fund request process.

Before her appointment at BU, Delcenia served as the Manager of Living-Learning Communities and Academic Initiatives at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to that, she served as the Associate Director of Residential Education at the University of Louisville and held various leadership roles at the University of Texas at Arlington and Kansas State University. She is an active member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administration and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Delcenia holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UT-Arlington, a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Central Arkansas, and a Bachelor of Art in English from Mississippi State University.

Mautra Staley Jones advances and elevates each institution she touches. Dr. Jones has become one of the nation’s most sought-after thought leaders through her educational and community leadership.  

On March 1, 2022, she became the 11th President of Oklahoma City Community College, the fourth-largest institution of higher education in Oklahoma. With her appointment, Dr. Jones made history, becoming the first woman and first person of color to serve as President of the College, serving over 18,000 students. Her appointment also made Oklahoma history as she is the first African American female to serve as president of any institution of higher education in the state that is not an HBCU (Historically Black College and University).  

Beyond her professional life, she is an active and engaged community member, providing leadership to various corporate, civic, and charitable organizations.  

Dr. Jones serves as a board director for BancFirst and BancFirst Corporation, South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma Philharmonic Society, Oklahoma Watch, the Oklahoma City and County Historical Society and the Oklahoma City Industrial & Cultural Facilities Trust.  

Furthermore, she is a Salt and Light Leadership (SALLT) Fellow, a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City (Class XXIX), a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., VEST, Rotary Club 29, Oklahoma County Bar Auxiliary and Visionary Women of Oklahoma (VOW). She is also a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO).  

Numerous organizations have honored Dr. Jones for her service and leadership to our state and nation. Dr. Jones was named an Oklahoman of the Year by Oklahoma Magazine, Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEO for public companies by The Journal Record, received the 100 Women to Know Across North America Award, and was named Oklahoma’s Remarkable Woman by KFOR/Nexstar Media.  

The Oklahoma Hispanic Institute honored her with the Vision Engagement and Pursuit Award for her efforts in advancing the history, culture, education, economic and community stature of the Hispanic communities. 

 In addition, she was inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame in 2022 and has been named Woman of the Year by 405 Magazine, The Journal Record, Perry Publishing and Broadcasting, and With Love OKC. Dr. Jones was awarded the 2021 National Mother of the Year and 2021 Oklahoma Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. She has also been honored as an Achiever Under 40 by The Journal Record, OKC Biz, and Oklahoma Magazine, among other noteworthy achievements.  

Forbes Magazine recognized Dr. Jones as one of the ten top Black Higher Education CEOs to watch in 2023. Luxiere Magazine featured her as a woman of influence in 2023. Fortune Magazine, American Association of Community Colleges Journal, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and Black Enterprise Magazine have also featured Dr. Jones and her achievements.  

Dr. Jones holds a B.A. in Journalism from the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Oklahoma and was named a 2023 Distinguished Alumni. In addition, she holds an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix at San Diego and an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Peabody College of Education and Human Development. She is married to United States District Judge Bernard M. Jones II, and they are the proud parents of three children. 

Jessica Elmore, currently serving as the Senior Director of Cross-Cultural Learnings within CASE’s Opportunities and Inclusion Centerᵀᴹ (OIC), has made a profound impact in the field of educational advancement. In her role, she has been the driving force behind CASE’s first online DEIB course, "The Journey Starts with You: DEIB in Advancement," and has delivered tailored training programs through CASE@Campus. Jessica’s strategic vision has focused on developing training and content that upskills professionals, enhances job performance, and strengthens organizational culture, ultimately contributing to the growth of outreach and engagement with diverse alumni, donors, and stakeholders.

Before joining CASE, Jessica relocated from the Midwest, where she led community relationship building and engagement programming for diverse domestic and international alumni and students at the Kansas State University Alumni Association. Her accomplishments include raising over $600,000 from diverse donors and organizations, establishing a successful volunteer leaders board pipeline, and executing over 300 culturally affiliated events, earning national recognition and industry awards. Jessica also played a pivotal role as co-editor of the Association’s first diversity-devoted alumni magazine issue, and her ability to connect across campus entities led to successful collaborations with international programs, athletics, and campus administration.

With expertise in creating award-winning external programming and fostering relationships, Jessica is an interactive trainer and communicator. She excels in making complex concepts accessible and creating environments where individuals feel confident to navigate new spaces and contribute meaningfully. Her approach empowers participants to not only understand but also apply their knowledge in ways that drive real impact.