Commissioner's Senior Leadership Team

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Joanna Bruno, Ph.D., serves as the Chief Academic Officer at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), where she has been a dedicated advocate for students and educators since 2006. With nearly two decades of experience at the department, Joanna has navigated various leadership roles with a singular focus: advancing educational equity and empowering teachers to lead from the front.

In her current role, Joanna provides strategic leadership for two primary pillars of the CDE:

• Teaching and Learning: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, Elementary Literacy and School Readiness, Learning Supports, and Standards and Instructional Support.
• Exceptional Student Support: Special Education, Facilities Schools, Gifted Education, and Compliance.

Joanna's approach to policy is informed by a "boots-on-the-ground" history. Before joining the CDE, she served in a variety of roles within Colorado schools. Her career spans the full spectrum of the state's educational landscape, having worked in rural, urban, charter, and private settings. This broad experience allows her to understand the unique challenges faced by different communities across the state.

While at the department, Joanna furthered her expertise by earning a doctorate from the University of Denver, specializing in multilingual learners and assessment. Her academic background ensures that the department's initiatives are grounded in research and a deep understanding of how to measure and support student success effectively.

A proud Colorado native with deep roots in the San Luis Valley, Joanna is more than just an administrator; she is a lifelong stakeholder in the success of Colorado's youth. Her work reflects her commitment to ensuring every student, regardless of their zip code, has the support they need to thrive.

Emma Garrett-Nelson is the Chief Communications Officer at the Colorado Department of Education overseeing the department’s internal and external communications, public relations and media engagement, and digital platforms. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly 20 years with a focus on public education for the last decade.

Prior to joining the CDE team, Garrett-Nelson worked as the chief of staff at Washoe County School District, the second-largest district in Nevada with 60,000 students and 7,000 employees. In that role, she helped to lead first-year implementation of the district’s strategic plan while building systems and structures to strengthen organizational readiness and accountability.

Garrett-Nelson also spent eight years leading strategic communications at Tulsa Public Schools, the largest public school district in the State of Oklahoma serving 33,000 students in grades pre-K-12. She managed communications and public relations for the district during the 2018 Oklahoma teacher walkout, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 Bond for Tulsa Public Schools, a $415 million package that passed with 73% voter approval.

Garrett-Nelson’s experience includes roles in the Office of the Commissioner at the Rhode Island Department of Education; Gordon School, an independent school serving students in nursery-8th grades; and as the lead field organizer for the successful campaign to pass marriage equality legislation in the State of Rhode Island.

Garrett-Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Temple University and a master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Leadership Studies program at Louisiana State University, Shreveport.

Dr. Haniford serves as the Deputy Commissioner, Student Excellence at the Colorado Department of Education. She is focused on ensuring all students and their families have access to high quality schools, and she understands the importance of engaging students in meaningful learning that honors their unique talents and aspirations. She leads the School Quality and Support division that includes Accountability and Continuous Improvement, School and District Transformation, Schools of Choice, Federal Programs and Supports, and Field Services. She has worked in K-12 public education for over two decades.

Before joining the Colorado Department of Education, Dr. Haniford served as an assistant superintendent, high school principal, and public school teacher where she used genuine shared decision making processes to increase on-time graduation rates, decrease dropout rates, and increase career pathways for students. She empowers school communities to design quality schools that engage students in purposeful, rigorous learning. She is skilled in strategic development, leadership coaching, teacher development, business and community partnerships, blended learning, and continuous improvement strategies that drive positive student outcomes. Most importantly, she believes that every student deserves a high quality education.

Dr. Haniford received a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University, and a Masters of School Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two children who are in elementary and middle school.

Lindsey Jaeckel joined CDE in 2012 and has served in a number of roles at CDE. Lindsey served as the Executive Director of School & District Transformation, and transitioned to her new role as the Assistant Commissioner of School Quality and Support. The School Quality and Support Division includes Accountability and Continuous Improvement, School and District Transformation, Schools of Choice, Federal Programs and Supports, and Field Services. 

Lindsey began her work in education as an elementary school teacher and served as a data and professional learning coach across a network of schools. Lindsey holds a B.A. in History from Northwestern University and an M.S. in Education and Public Policy from New York University. In her spare time, Lindsey likes to spend time with her husband and two elementary school aged children enjoying all that Colorado has to offer!

Shelbie Konkel serves as the Colorado Department of Education’s Chief Strategy Officer, where she oversees the department’s strategic priorities and engagement and collaboration with the Colorado General Assembly. She brings nearly a decade of experience in public policy and legislative affairs to the role.

Prior to joining CDE Konkel served as Senior Advisor for Federal and State Affairs to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. During her tenure, she successfully led bi-partisan legislative efforts to eliminate the food sales tax and secure full funding for public education for the first time in over a decade.

In 2020, Konkel played a critical role in Kansas' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She worked closely with the National Guard, State Emergency Operations Center, and relevant Emergency Support Functions, contributing to the initial response efforts and providing consultation on the state's reopening plan. She was later appointed Deputy Executive Director of the Kansas Recovery Office, which was tasked with administering the state's $1.034 billion share of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).

Konkel’s experience also includes serving as Chief of Staff to Kansas Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers, Legislative Director for the Kansas Senate Minority Leader, and Caucus & Communications Director for the Kansas House Minority Leader.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Washburn University and was recently recognized as the Graduate of the Last Decade. She serves on the Washburn Young Alumni Council and the Haysville Public Schools’ Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. DJ Loerzel is the Chief Information and Innovation Officer of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), focused on advancing work that drives meaningful improvements for Colorado’s education system. Throughout his career, he has been deeply committed to leveraging technology, data, and strategic innovation to strengthen organizational capabilities and support outcomes for students, educators, and communities.

Most recently, he served as Executive Director of Data Operations, leading a broad portfolio of data and information systems initiatives within CDE — from strengthening governance structures to coordinating cross-departmental work across the organization. In that role, he partnered closely with leaders across the organization to align data and technology investments with strategic priorities and operational needs. He is passionate about harnessing emerging technologies, analytics, and collaborative problem-solving to drive organizational effectiveness and support equity-centered decision-making.

Before joining CDE, Dr. Loerzel spent seven years with Aurora Public Schools as Director of Accountability and Research, overseeing districtwide analytics, modernizing data infrastructure, and developing performance dashboards to promote data-informed decision-making. He worked closely with senior leadership to ensure that technology, academic priorities, and operational resources were aligned to support student success.

He also brings more than a decade of experience in higher education, serving in academic operations leadership, institutional research, and student experience focused roles. He has maintained a close connection to the classroom for more than 15 years as an adjunct instructor, a role that continues to inspire and ground his work in the classroom.

He holds a Doctor of Management with a concentration in Program Management, a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy, and a Bachelor’s in Communications.

Danielle Ongart joined CDE in June 2017 as the Director of the Office of Adult Education Initiatives, served as the Executive Director of the Student Pathways Unit in fall 2021, and transitioned to her current role as the Assistant Commissioner of Student Pathways and Engagement in 2023. The Student Pathways and Engagement Unit (SPEU) focuses on whole child, whole family, and whole community supports that are critical to student success. SPEU is proud to lead two of the Department’s strategic plan goals to increase student engagement and accelerate student high school outcomes.

Danielle collaborates with team members to interpret and implement state and federal statutes, support the legislative process through fiscal notes and technical reviews of bills, develop and gain approval of State Board of Education rules, manage 20+ federal and state grant programs, and collaborate with other state agencies.

Danielle began her work in education as an elementary and middle school teacher in New York City (2004–2011), then worked to develop Denver Public Schools’ teacher evaluation system and improve the quality and impact of professional learning (2011–2016). Prior to CDE, Danielle was a political appointee at the U.S. Department of Education, where she developed guidance and regulations for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, developed a student diversity grant program, and collaborated on technical assistance strategies. Danielle holds a B.A. in Radio/TV/Film from Northwestern University and an M.S. in Teaching from Pace University.

Having worked in financial management roles in various agencies, Wayne has over 17-years of Budget Director/CFO experience in Colorado state government. Prior to coming to CDE, Wayne worked for the Governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Corrections, and the Department of Public Health and Environment.

In his spare time, Wayne likes to spend time with his middle school math teacher spouse and four children who have all completed (or are close to completing) all of their K-12 education in Colorado public schools.

Sheldon has dedicated over three decades to the field of education, starting his journey in Idaho as a teacher, coach, and principal. After ten years, he moved to Washington State, where he served as a high school principal in both the Eastern and Western regions. His passion for the mountains and rural communities led him to Estes Park, Colorado, where he spent eight years as the Superintendent of Schools.

Sheldon was with CDE’s Field Services team for two years. In his role as Chief District Operating Officer in 2024, Sheldon oversees Capital Construction, School Nutrition, School Transportation, School Finance, Fiscal Supports, and the Grants Program Administration units. In this role, he supports districts across Colorado, helping them achieve their goals and providing quality educational opportunities for all students.

Outside of his professional life, Sheldon is an outdoor enthusiast who loves spending time with his family.

Dr. Margarita Tovar is the Chief Talent  & Human Resources Officer of the Colorado Department of Education, overseeing educator preparation, educator development, educator effectiveness, licensing, investigations, early childhood workforce development, and human resources teams.

Most recently, Dr. Tovar served as Chief Talent Officer in the Summit School District where she has led the transformation of this rural district’s human resources team and served as an integral member of the superintendent’s cabinet. She is living proof that education changes lives. Based her experiences in different roles and districts, and through her first-hand experiences, she works with urgency and purpose to address educational barriers that deter students and communities from reaching their highest potential and aspirations.

She started her career as a teacher’s aide at Farias Early Childhood Center in the Houston Independent School District and has worked in several school and district-based roles, including as a bilingual teacher, dual language coordinator, instructional specialist, assistant principal, and principal. She also served as a school improvement liaison between the Corsicana Independent School District and the Texas Education Agency.

Dr. Tovar is a proud first-generation graduate of the Houston Community College where she earned an associate's degree, the University of Houston-Downtown where she earned her bachelor degree, and the Houston Baptist University where she earned her master’s degree. She also recently celebrated earning her doctoral degree from the University of Houston.

As the Colorado Department of Education’s Chief Assessment Officer, Dr. Christina Wirth-Hawkins oversees all aspects of the state assessment program, including the development, administration, scoring, and reporting of assessments required under state and federal law. Before assuming the role of Chief Assessment Officer, Christina held several positions in CDE’s Assessment Division, including Principal Data Consultant, Assistant Director, Director of Assessment Development, and Executive Director.

Christina joined the Department in 2010 and was heavily involved in Colorado’s transition to online assessment. She maintains a prioritized focus on considering the needs of all students throughout Colorado’s assessment development and administration processes, and she emphasizes the importance of ensuring that educators from across the state play a significant role in the development of Colorado’s assessments.

A Colorado native with two children in Colorado schools, Christina comes from a family of educators and is passionate about the opportunities that a high-quality public education can provide. Before joining CDE, she was a research analyst and taught college-level courses.

Christina holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree from Michigan State University and bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Spanish from the University of Denver.