Mariana Atencio Joins Dr. Miguel Cardona and Arne Duncan as Keynote Speakers at ALAS’ 22nd National Summit on Education
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS)’ Summit takes place October 15-17, 2025 in Chicago
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2025) – The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) has selected three powerhouse speakers – Mariana Atencio, Dr. Miguel Cardona and Arne Duncan – to headline its 22nd National Summit on Education. The Summit takes place October 15-18, 2025 at the Palmer House hotel in Chicago. It is the association’s flagship leadership development and networking event and is geared toward administrators at schools and districts that serve primarily Latino and other historically marginalized youth.
Mariana Atencio is a Peabody Award-winning journalist, a bestselling author, a media entrepreneur, and an inspiring storyteller. Miguel Cardona and Arne Duncan are transformative education leaders who have both served in the role of U.S. Secretary of Education. ALAS selected the speakers because of their commitment to – and their impact on – education, as well as their passion for supporting student success, especially for historically marginalized students.
“The theme of our 2025 Summit is “The Power of Us” and our keynote speakers truly embody the spirit of that phrase,” said ALAS Executive Director Ulysses Navarrete. “Those attending our Summit will be inspired by hearing these speakers’ personal stories and about the work they have done on behalf of students throughout their careers.”
About the Speakers
Mariana Atencio is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and viral TEDx speaker. A veteran broadcast news journalist, she was a national reporter and news anchor for both NBC and Univision. Her gift for digging deep beneath the surface when reporting earned her a place on some of the most-watched platforms in broadcast news.
Today, she has transitioned from reporting the news to making it. She heads her own media company, GoLike, where she tells stories she feels the world needs to know. Her latest podcast, Lost in Panama, skyrocketed to Apple's top 10 podcasts upon release, adding yet another medium to her impressive reach.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Atencio left her home country amid political unrest and came to the U.S. on a scholarship to Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and serves on the board of the future Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C., a testament to her lifelong commitment to storytelling, representation, and community.
Her bestselling memoir, Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real, chronicles her journey and inspires readers to unlock the power of their personal stories.
Dr. Miguel A. Cardona served as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education under President Joe Biden. With more than 27 years in education, he has championed equity and access, from teaching fourth grade to leading America’s education system. Cardona’s key initiatives include academic recovery post-pandemic, mental health support, global competitiveness, and making college more affordable. Under Cardona’ leadership, U.S. schools reopened successfully, $185 billion in student debt was forgiven, and student loan systems were reformed. His tenure saw record growth in student reading achievement, expanded apprenticeships for aspiring teachers, and increased school mental health resources. A first-generation college graduate, Cardona’s journey from bilingual educator to national leader exemplifies the power of public education. He holds multiple degrees from the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University.
Arne Duncan served as U.S. Secretary of Education from January 2009 through December 2015 as part of the Obama Administration. Before that he served as chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools and won praise for uniting the city’s stakeholders behind an education agenda that included opening 100 new schools; expanding after-school, summer learning, early childhood, and college access programs; dramatically boosting the caliber of teachers; and building public-private partnerships around a variety of education initiatives.
He currently leads Chicago CRED, a nonprofit trying to achieve a transformative reduction in gun violence in Chicago. He is also the managing partner at Emerson Collective, an organization dedicated to removing barriers so people can live to their full potential. Duncan graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1987, majoring in sociology. At Harvard he served as co-captain of the basketball team and was named a first team Academic All-American.
Duncan serves on the boards of Ariel Investments, Communities in Schools, Eat. Learn. Play., Edmentum, Education Advancement, ESS, Howard University, Metropolitan Family Services, MGT Consulting Group, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, National Association of Basketball Coaches, Peace for DC, Schoolhouse.world, and he is Board Chair of The Hunt Institute.
In addition to the keynote speakers, the ALAS National Summit on Education features informative breakout sessions, policy updates, dedicated time for networking, and a (ticketed) black-tie awards gala.
Activities are geared toward administrators and aspiring administrators, school board members, education leaders and solution providers.
For more information about the Summit and to register for the event, visit https://alasedu.org/events/. ALAS members receive a discount on registration.
For more information about ALAS, visit https://alasedu.org/.
About the Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (ALAS)
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents [ALAS] is committed to providing a perspective to all aspiring school and district administrators, including superintendents, through programs, services, advocacy and networks rooted in Latino experiences and culture. Our Vision, Mission and Goals are to provide leadership at the national level that assures every school in America effectively serves the educational needs of all students with an emphasis on Latino and other historically marginalized youth through continuous professional learning, policy advocacy, and networking to share practices of promise for our students and the communities where we serve.
By the year 2026, Latino children will make up 30 percent of the school-age population. In the nation’s largest states – California, Texas, Florida, and New York – all of whom are ALAS State Affiliates – Latinos already have reached that level. It is of vital interest to invest in the education of every child, and the professional learning of all educators who serve Latino youth.
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