Invite an ASA thought leader to speak at, participate in or moderate your next K-12 Career Readiness event or panel discussion.
At American Student Assistance® (ASA), we are changing the way kids learn about careers and prepare for their futures through equitable access to career readiness information and experiences. ASA fulfills this mission by providing free digital experiences directly to millions of students, and through advocacy, philanthropic support for mission-aligned organizations and policies, impact investing, and thought leadership.
Our thought leaders are expert speakers on a variety of career readiness topics, including:
Technology tools for career discovery
Middle school career exploration
High school work-based learning experiences (e.g. project-based learning, internships, pre-apprenticeships, entrepreneurship education, etc.)
Blended high school pathways, including early college and career and technical education
Postsecondary pathways including nondegree options (e.g. apprenticeships, work-based learning programs, career-training programs, bootcamps, certificate programs, industry certifications, and occupation licenses)
To invite a thought leader to speak at your next event, or for more information on our Speakers Bureau, please contact [email protected] or click below (please allow 48 hours for a response).
Jean Eddy (ASA), Executive Chair and Advisor to Board of Directors
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Why career learning should begin in middle school
Preparing teens for postsecondary education and career success
BIOGRAPHY:
Jean Eddy is Executive Chair and Advisor to the Board of Directors of American Student Assistance® (ASA). From 2016 to 2025, Jean served as President and CEO, where she led ASA’s transformation from its 65-year history of supporting college financing and repayment into a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on helping middle and high school students explore careers, identify their strengths, and chart purposeful paths for their futures.
During her extraordinary tenure as President and CEO, ASA launched award-winning digital platforms including Futurescape® and EvolveMe®, committed $150 million to mission-aligned impact investments, and contributed $65 million in philanthropy to expand career readiness opportunities nationwide. Jean has held senior leadership roles at the Rhode Island School of Design, Brandeis University, and Northeastern University. A frequent speaker and subject matter expert, she also served on Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s Commission on Digital Innovation and Lifelong Learning. She is the author of Crisis-Proofing Today’s Learners: Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Tomorrow’s World. Jean holds a B.A. from Roger Williams University and an M.A. from Johnson & Wales University.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
ASU+GSV 2024: Authors Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Success
Judy Goldstein (ASA), SVP of Marketing & Communications
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Middle School Career Exploration
Blended High School Pathways
Diverse Postsecondary Pathways
Skill-based Hiring
High School Work-based Learning
BIOGRAPHY:
Judy works with the CEO and leadership team to help ASA and its partners fulfill its mission to engage K-12 students in career exploration and experimentation. She believes that every student deserves access to quality education—regardless of race, geography, or circumstance—including ample opportunities to acquire the information needed to make informed decisions on their career and college pathways.
Judy has more than 30 years of experience in the education sector. Most recently she was the SVP of Marketing, MSI information Services, where she ushered in a digital transformation strategy for three news journals and a book distributor serving K-12 schools and public libraries.
At Pearson Education, she spearheaded a K-20 marketing communication strategy and directed a K-12 operational project management office. Earlier in her career, Judy worked at advertising agencies, public relations firms, and in children’s trade book and magazine publishing.
Judy is a member of the Content Curation Council for SOCAP. She holds degrees from Pennsylvania State University and certifications in Prosci Change Management and Lean Six Sigma.
VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/bgRstPNf3rA?si=lLbg96Yye43zU-O2
Launchpad Jobs: Achieving Career and Economic Success Without a Degree
Rilwan Meeran (ASA), VP of Mission Impact Investing
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Career Education Impact Investing
Funding Tips for EdTech Start-ups
Impact investing
Private Equity
Venture Capital
Diverse founders
Funding Tips for EdTech Start-ups
Future of work
BIOGRAPHY:
Rilwan leads ASA’s $150 million Impact program, which focuses on investing in funds and private companies. The program was created to deepen ASA’s impact within the education and career readiness ecosystem by fostering innovation to provide millions of students with learning experiences that change the way young people learn.
Previously, Rilwan was the Head of Impact investing at MassMutual, where he created new programs focused on impact allocations to both funds and direct investments as well as diverse managers and entrepreneurs. His prior positions include Managing Director for Flat World Partners, Chief Investment Officer of Leopard Capital, Director for Swicorp and 20 years in venture capital and private equity.
Rilwan holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and BBA in Finance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
ASU+GSV 2024: Early Stage Career Education Impact Investing: Fueling Innovation
Transform 2024: AI@Work: Practical Use Cases
Tide Spark 2024
Pension Bridge 2024
Private Equity International–Responsible Investment Forum
Julie Lammers is President and Chief Executive Officer of American Student Assistance® (ASA). Julie brings more than 15 years of leadership experience at ASA, where she has overseen advocacy, corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, policy, research, marketing, and strategic communications. Prior to her appointment as President and CEO, she served as Executive Vice President, helping to shape ASA’s strategic direction and expanding its reach to millions of young people.
Before joining ASA, Julie spent nearly a decade as a Congressional Aide to U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Senator Paul Kirk, Jr., managing outreach on education, arts, environment, and welfare policy. She is a graduate of Northeastern University and Suffolk University Law School and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. Julie is passionate about ensuring all young people have access to the tools and opportunities they need to confidently navigate education and career pathways.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
ASU+GSV 2025: WORKSHOP: Crashing through Roadblocks–Debunking High School Work-based Learning Barriers
ASU+GSV 2025: Listen to the Kids: Designing Middle School Career Exploration for Today’s Youth
ASU+GSV 2025: Reimagining Durable Skills Development for Middle School Youth
ASU+GSV 2025: Recalculating Routes: The State of Education to Career Navigation
ASU+GSV 2024: Teen Work Based Learning: Expanding Opportunity and Credentialing Valuable Experiences
ASU+GSV 2024: Beyond Degrees: Illuminating Postsecondary Paths to Prosperity
ASU+GSV 2024: The State of Career Exploration: Making Middle School Count
SXSW EDU 2024: Career Education: Policy & Practice to Best Serve Learners
SXSW EDU 2024: Engaging Gen Z in Socially Conscious Entrepreneurship
AMLE 2024
Edfunders Conference
Education Alliance, Education Summit
Engaging Gen Z in PAC and Grassroots
Success Redefined Webinar
A Path Forward: Innovative Solutions to Build a Modern Workforce for GenZ+
Aurora Institute Symposium
ACTE Career Tech Vision
VIDEOS:
https://youtu.be/1rUq4bJDZVE?si=5iF_bL1bGutkbf0x
Recalculating Routes… The State of Education to Career Navigation
https://youtu.be/zQtz-mWNDxU?si=tC6zWw5-jE3vaUIM
Reimagining Durable Skills Development for Middle School Youth
https://youtu.be/1rUq4bJDZVE?si=5iF_bL1bGutkbf0x
https://youtu.be/Y8blrSGUUGg
Listen to the Kids: Designing Middle School Career Exploration for Today’s Youth
https://youtu.be/wbjopAjHsFI
Teen Work Based Learning: Expanding Opportunity and Credentialing Valuable Experiences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r95vOQQoozo
ASU + GSV 2023: Employer-led Solutions to Youth Career Readiness
https://youtu.be/1rUq4bJDZVE?si=5iF_bL1bGutkbf0x
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKKGxFsTfMc
Interplay Learning Interactive Training: The Impact of Early Career Exploration
Lee Waldvogel (ASA), Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Role of AI & technology in K-12 career education
Non-degree postsecondary pathways
Building Skills that prepare youth for careers
Building capacity and impact through partnerships
BIOGRAPHY:
With over 15 years of experience in workforce and education, Lee is passionate about driving innovative approaches to post-secondary education through partnerships. In his current role, Lee builds partnerships with digital organizations focused on preparing kids for life after high school.
Across Lee’s leadership roles, he has worked with the largest employers across the US to reimagine the relationship between industry and post-secondary education and with educational technology companies to identify the best ways to impact todays youth. He has a Bachelors in Government Affairs and an MA in Organizational leadership.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
Inaugural 2024 ASU+GSV AIR Show: Harnessing AI & Technology to Prepare Youth for Career Success
Jing Cox-Orell (ASA), Philanthropy Program Manager
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Creating Student Agency
Future-ready Students
Self-identity and Workplace Readiness
Middle School Exploration Programs
BIOGRAPHY:
Jing is deeply committed to equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed choices about their futures. Currently, she spearheads the implementation, cultivation of grant relationships, and assesses the impact of a diverse array of nonprofit grant initiatives and partnerships at ASA. These endeavors are designed to advance ASA’s mission of changing the way kids learn about careers and prepare for their futures.
Before joining ASA, Jing played pivotal roles in curriculum design, capacity building, and facilitation of student, teacher, parent and medical resident workshops centered around crucial topics relating to sexual decision-making, SEL development, fostering healthy relationships, DEI, and understanding gender identity at Cambridge Health Alliance in Greater Boston and Peer Health Exchange in Chicago. She received her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago.
Mike Murphy (ASA), Senior Manager of Strategic Communications
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Credentialing real world experiences for high schoolers
Role of technology in K-12 career education
Communication channels and tactics for education stakeholders
BIOGRAPHY:
Mike has over a decade of experience in the Marketing Communications space, specializing in social media and digital content management. He joined ASA in 2021 to help the organization optimize and expand its communications strategy through a multi-channel approach, with the goal of reaching business and nonprofit leaders, policymakers, parents, educators, administrators, and other key stakeholders.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
ASU+GSV 2024: Future Readiness for All: Scaling Equitable Access to Youth Career Exploration & Skill-Building
New Pathways Convening 2023: Designing and Communicating Next Gen Pathway Models
Aurora Symposium 2024: Beyond the Buzzwords: Communicating the Value of Pathways and Competency-Based Learning
Annie Duong-Turner (ASA), Director of Corporate Social Responsibility
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Grantmaking and philanthropy
Youth work-based learning
Cross-sector partnerships
BIOGRAPHY:
In her role as Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for the national nonprofit American Student Assistance, Annie Duong-Turner leads the team responsible for the organization’s philanthropy portfolio, employee engagement and internship program. Prior to joining ASA, Annie served multiple roles at John Hancock, including as the Director, Community Investment – US & Asia Lead, where she implemented a community investment strategy and cross-sector collaborations in the US, and advised on philanthropic initiatives in Asia. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Northeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Suffolk University.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
JFF Horizons 2024: Unlocking Economic Mobility Through Career Connected Learning
Pathways to Opportunity: Career-Connected Learning for Boston’s Young People
Convening on career-connected learning for Boston’s young people
