M. René Islas is a renowned education expert with a long history of leadership in education organizations. He studied Political Science and Sociology at Whittier College and later received a Certificate of Achievement in Essentials of Project Management from Villanova University. Islas also holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Management and Strategy from Western Governors University.

Throughout his career, Islas has held numerous leadership roles in the field of education, including Chief External Relations Officer at Leading Educators, Executive Director at the National Association For Gifted Children, and Senior Vice President at Learning Forward.

Islas has also held key positions within the U.S. Department of Education, including Chief of Staff for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Today, he serves as the CEO and founder of Crescere Strategies LLC, where he helps education organizations with fundraising, program development, and organizational change management. He is also recognized as a leader in teacher effectiveness, professional learning, principal leadership development, policy development, advocacy, communications and outreach, and business strategy.