Statewide Leads

Elizabeth Fields is a visionary and collaborative educational leader with 29 years of experience driving educational excellence within early childhood, early childhood-special education, and K-3. She is passionate about creating equitable and all-clusive learning environments for children ages birth to 8 & their families while advancing the professional growth of educators.

Leah Gagne is an educator and advocate with more than 15 years of experience supporting students. She is dedicated to fostering positive learning experiences and strong relationships that help students succeed. As a statewide attendance lead, Leah partners with districts across Minnesota to strengthen systems and practices that ensure all students have the opportunity to thrive. 

Julie Luseni's educational career has served in roles as an Elementary Teacher, Literacy Specialist, and School and Department Improvement Specialist. Julie leverages her expertise, experience and coaching to strengthen teaching and learning, through continuous improvement for all students across the state.

Jordan Pinneke has worked with school districts and educational nonprofits in New York City, Chicago, and Minneapolis, supporting initiatives for special populations, analyzing educational partner experiences, and presenting insights to guide policy and practice. Drawing on this background, Jordan is dedicated to making education systems more equitable, data-informed, and responsive to student and community needs.

Michelle Raml is an educator and leader with roots in middle-level education. She has served as an ELA teacher, content specialist, teacher induction lead, and administrator—roles that shaped her commitment to supporting educators and creating positive learning experiences for all children. Now a Statewide Improvement Coordinator, Michelle applies this background to guide continuous improvement across the state.

Jewell Reichenberger's background includes teaching and district leadership. She is passionate about creating learning environments where students feel valued and supported, and she works to ensure that attendance initiatives go beyond numbers to cultivate belonging, engagement, and long-term student success.

Amy Stites is an experienced educational leader and the COMPASS Statewide Attendance Lead with BrightWorks Service Cooperative. With more than 20 years in education as a teacher and administrator, she has specialized in alternative education, equity-driven practices, and systems-level improvement. In her statewide role, Amy collaborates with districts and schools to identify and address root causes of chronic absenteeism, build supportive systems, and foster conditions that improve student attendance, engagement, and overall success.

COMPASS Funding Statements

COMPASS is made possible in part using federal funding ALN 84.010, Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies; ALN 84.367A, Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II, Part A); ALN 84.424A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program (Title IV, Part A); ALN 84.173, Special Education – Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities; and ALN 84.181, Special Education – Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities. 

State funding for COMPASS is provided by Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 10, Section 10, Subd. 8; Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 2, Section 24, Subd. 5;  Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 4, Section 30, Subd. 5; and Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 12, Section 8, Subd. 2.

COMPASS content does not necessarily represent the official views or policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Minnesota Department of Education.