WestEd today announces the appointment of Jannelle Kubinec as the agency’s new Chief Administrative Officer. As Chief Administrative Officer, Kubinec will act as a key member of the executive leadership team at WestEd and will oversee Organizational Effectiveness, Human Resources, Information Technology, and the agency’s Legal Department.

Kubinec previously led the agency’s Comprehensive School Assistance Program based in Sacramento, California. During her tenure, she led a team of more than 85 staff working with state and local education agencies to provide high-quality services, including technical assistance, professional learning, and policy development. Kubinec’s guidance led to major organizational and operational improvements in talent and workflow management and process engineering.

“Jannelle has already had a major impact at WestEd and she’s a great fit to serve as our new Chief Administrative Officer,” says Chief Executive Officer Glen Harvey. “She is an incredibly dynamic leader within the agency, collaborating with colleagues to significantly expand WestEd’s impact in the field at both the policy and practice levels. Over the last several years, she’s deepened communication across a large, dispersed team, grown and leveraged WestEd talent, and served as a highly respected thought partner across the agency.”

Kubinec has extensive experience in the field of education policy. Prior to joining WestEd in 2011, Kubinec worked as the Associate Vice President for School Services of California. Earlier in her career, she was Director of Policy with the California Lieutenant Governor, and Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst with California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be taking on this new role within WestEd. I am looking forward to applying my 20 years of experience building capacity and increasing effectiveness of state and local education agencies to prepare WestEd for the future,” says Kubinec. “My new role allows me to deepen WestEd’s positive impact on educational outcomes for students by developing our human capacity, technology infrastructure, and operational efficiency.”

Deb Sigman will step in as Interim Director to lead Kubinec’s former Program, drawing on her previous roles as State Assessment Director and Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for the California Department of Education. She also brings vast experience working at WestEd to improve teaching and learning through effective data use, policy, assessment, and accountability.