Over 240 charter stakeholders convened last February for the Coalition’s most recent Summit.
We’re very excited to share our new 2026 Summit invite with you. Access it here or by clicking on the invite image below. We’re pleased to see spots filling up–so don’t wait to register!
At this year’s Summit, you’ll hear from an incredible line-up of confirmed speakers, including:
- Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt
- Hayley Sanon, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education
- Bruce Friend, Chair, Charter Schools Review Board
- Matthew Tilley, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson, and Coalition Counsel
- Ashley Logue, Executive Director, Office of Charter Schools (OCS)
- Donald Bryson, CEO, John Locke Foundation; Publisher, Carolina Journal
You’ll also hear from state policymakers, industry experts, and the Coalition’s own Government Relations Team. Below, we share bios for two confirmed Summit speakers.
North Carolina Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt
Rachel Hunt began her career as an attorney in domestic law, helping families navigate complex challenges through mediation and practical problem‐solving. Seeing a need for greater support in education, she later founded Hunt for College, LLC, a consulting firm that guided students and parents through the college application process.
During the years she stepped back from full‐time work to focus on raising her children, Rachel remained deeply engaged in her community. She spent more than a decade volunteering with Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Schools and serving on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.
Her commitment to public service led her to seek elected office, where she served in the state legislature and worked to support the people and communities she represented in Charlotte. Today, as the 36th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, she brings forward the values instilled in her by her parents, former Governor Jim and Carolyn Hunt—service, integrity, and a belief in the power of education.
Rachel’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to strengthening schools, supporting families, and building thriving communities. As Lieutenant Governor, she has launched her Future‐Ready North Carolina agenda to address the child care crisis, bolster community colleges, and invest in workforce development—ensuring a strong and prosperous future for our state.
As you likely know, Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt also serves on the North Carolina State Board of Education. What you may not know is that she served on the board of her son’s charter school. You can see a longer bio for Lt. Governor Hunt here.
Hayley Sanon – Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Strategist, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Hayley Sanon most recently served as the K-12 Education Policy Advisor for the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Previously, she was the Program Manager of the American Enterprise Institute’s Conservative Education Reform Network. She started her career in education as a 7th grade math teacher in Greensboro, NC. She holds an M. Ed. in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Public Policy and Political Science, with a minor in Education, from Duke University. She is a proud North Carolina native, born and raised in Winston-Salem.
In addition to sharing remarks, Ms. Sanon will also take questions from the audience. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear more about the national K-12 landscape and what’s next for charter schools–as well as where charter schools fit, given the recent restructuring of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education with the U.S. Department of Labor. We’re also so pleased that Ms. Sanon is a former teacher and North Carolina native!
See the Department of Education’s fact sheet outlining the interagency agreement with the Department of Labor.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Coalition Member Schools
- Register early and receive a discount. Cost to attend before March 3: $125.
- Cost to attend after March 3: $150.
*Multiple attendee discount: For every two leaders who register from each member school, a third leader may attend for free.
Non-Member Schools
- Register early and receive a discount. Cost to attend before March 3: $175.
- Cost to attend after March 3: $200.
*Membership incentive: Charter schools that join the Coalition before February 24 will receive the member discount on registration.
Hotel and registration
- The Coalition has reserved a block of rooms at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley Hotel ($169/night). Book your hotel room here. Rooms are available until March 10; however, last year’s hotel block filled up, so don’t wait!
- Click here to register for the Summit. View the reception invite here.
Learn more about the Advocacy Summit or the Coalition.
The Coalition this morning hosted a regional meeting at 
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