Archives: Events

The world our students are entering is evolving faster than ever—economically, technologically, and culturally. AI isn’t a choice anymore; it’s embedded in how we live, work, and even unconsciously make decisions, yet our education systems remain anchored to outdated definitions of success. In this reality, “readiness” demands a bold redefinition.

World Savvy and aiEDU will bring together 100 students, educators, school leaders, industry experts, philanthropic investors, and policymakers for a collective learning experience to reimagine what it means to be truly future-ready in an AI-driven, globally interdependent world.

This event is part of World Savvy’s Critical Conversations series, designed to create space for meaningful dialogue at the intersection of local and global issues and education. The morning will include a continental breakfast, a panel discussion, and interactive student-facilitated roundtable discussions—a space for students and adults to learn from and inform each other as we approach a complex, changing world together.

Attendees will:
Hear unique insights from esteemed panelists
Engage in cross-sector, intergenerational roundtable discussions guided by students
Think critically about how we ensure that students are informed, ethical creators, and citizens within AI-powered systems
Reflect on how our schools can foster the uniquely human skills—curiosity, empathy, collaboration—that drive innovation and purpose-driven leadership.

Featured Panelists:
Ahmed Ali Bob | Director of Social Impact, Block
Dr. Diego Ochoa | Superintendent, San Mateo-Foster City School District
Courtney Garcia | Partner, LearnerStudio
Christian Pinedo | VP of External Affairs & Advocacy, aiEDU
Laura Jeanne Penrod (moderator) | 2024 Nevada State Teacher of the Year, Clark County School District

Event Schedule:
10:00 am – 10:30 am: Mingling, Continental Breakfast & Coffee
10:30 am – 10:40 am: Welcome by World Savvy and aiEDU
10:40 am – 11:15 am: Guest Speaker Panel & Student Q&A
11:15 am – 11:35 am: Break for Refreshments
11:35 am – 12:30 pm: Intergenerational Table Discussions
12:30 pm – 12:50 pm: Action-Taking Groups
12:50 pm – 1:00 pm: Closing

Contact Us
If you have any questions, please reach out to Harben Porter, World Savvy Executive Director – Western Region, at harben.porter@worldavvy.org. We look forward to you joining this critical conversation!

Join us on April 9 for the Walker Art Center’s Evening for Educators. This is a recurring event at the museum, but April 9 is a special edition co-hosted by World Savvy – our first-ever collaboration with the Walker.

You’ll connect with local educators and explore Ways of Knowing, a bold new exhibit that challenges how we understand truth and knowledge. It’s a powerful launchpad for helping students build the critical thinking, empathy, and confidence they need to shape their communities and futures.

Walk away inspired – with fresh ideas and resources to bring these essential skills to life in your classroom.

This event is FREE for educators. Space is limited so RSVP now to reserve your ticket! Complimentary refreshments and parking validation included.

For more event details, visit the Walker’s website.

At the event:

• Challenge your assumptions about knowledge while exploring Ways of Knowing
• Activate new ideas for student research and critical thinking with resources that connect the exhibit’s themes to your classroom
• Learn how to support your students to consider multiple perspectives in a fireside chat with our Interim Chief Program Officer, Whitney McKinley
• Get inspired by art installations featuring student work from our partner schools, including Ella Baker Global Studies & Humanities School, St. Anthony Middle School, St. Anthony Village High School, and Sejong Academy

May 15, 2025 – World Savvy’s Critical Conversation series is a one-of-a-kind collective learning experience that brings together students, educators, and community leaders for an intergenerational discussion on urgent topics impacting education. In our upcoming conversation, Embracing Complexity in the Age of Algorithms, we’ll explore what it takes to navigate the future of education in a digital world.

If you’re interested in attending, please contact Logan Barcus, Director of Outreach & Engagement: logan.barcus@worldsavvy.org.

Attendees will:

• Challenge the Status Quo: Explore how the digital age–dominated by soundbites and easy answers–is reshaping the way we learn, live, and lead.
• Elevate Student Voices: Engage in dynamic, student-led roundtables that cross generations and spark bold ideas.
• Build the Future: Discover how schools can be catalysts for change, equipping students with the skills to lead in a complex world.

Event details:

• Date: Thursday, May 15
• Time: 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
• Location: Triangle Loft Meatpacking | Manhattan, New York

Featured panelists:

• Anand Giridharadas | Journalist & Best-Selling Author
• Melisa Rivera | Teacher, Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College
• Hamse Warfa | CEO, World Savvy
• KK Neimann | Director of District & Strategic Initiatives, World Savvy (Moderator)

April 30, 2025 – World Savvy’s Critical Conversation series is a one-of-a-kind collective learning experience that brings together students, educators, and community leaders for an intergenerational discussion on urgent topics impacting education. In our upcoming conversation, Embracing Complexity in the Age of Algorithms, we’ll explore what it takes to navigate the future of education in a digital world.

If you’re interested in attending, please contact Anne Soto, Executive Director-Midwest: anne.soto@worldsavvy.org.

Attendees will:

• Challenge the Status Quo: Explore how the digital age–dominated by soundbites and easy answers–is reshaping the way we learn, live, and lead.
• Elevate Student Voices: Engage in dynamic, student-led roundtables that cross generations and spark bold ideas.
• Build the Future: Discover how schools can be catalysts for change, equipping students with the skills to lead in a complex world.

Event details:

• Date: Wednesday, April 30
• Time: 8:15 – 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Macalester College, St. Paul, MN

Featured panelists:

• Steve Grove, CEO & Publisher, Star Tribune
• Dr. Suzanne Rivera, President, Macalester College
• Hamse Warfa, CEO, World Savvy (moderator)

Charting New Paths: Transformative Leadership for an Ever-changing World

World Savvy is attending the AASA 2025 National Conference on Education in New Orleans. If you’re going, be sure to add our educational session to your agenda! It’s included in the School Environment and Culture track.

What We’re Talking About

We live in unprecedented times. New challenges, opportunities, and technologies present themselves almost daily. The future of work is a moving target, and changing demographics and global challenges require new skills and dispositions to successfully navigate our communities and workplaces. 

While we cannot slow the pace of change, we can transform our leadership practices to meet this moment with creativity and energy and build adaptive and nimble school communities that can respond to emerging needs and prepare all young people to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world.

Join us for an interactive conversation as we explore the three areas of effective school leadership in the modern era: Managing the Present, Forgetting the Past, and Creating the Future. Together, we’ll think critically and creatively about the future of teaching and learning we want to foster and the kind of leadership that will get us there.

Presenters

• KK Neimann, National Director of District & Strategic Initiatives, World Savvy 
• Renee Corneille, Superintendent, Saint Anthony New Brighton ISD, MN
• Bo Wright, Superintendent, Geneva City Schools, NY
• Karen Cheser, Superintendent, Durango Public Schools, CO
• Jason Berg, Superintendent, Farmington Area Public Schools, MN

How to Attend

• Date: Saturday, March 8
• Time: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
• Location: Convention Center, 342

Modern School Leadership for Complex Times: Letting Go and Looking Ahead

World Savvy is attending the 2025 CASE Winter Leadership Conference in Colorado. If you’re going, be sure to add our presentation to your agenda!

What We’re Talking About

In this session, participants will explore a domain of modern school leadership: letting go of the past. To make room for the future of teaching and learning we want to emerge, we must let go of practices that fueled the old system but are preventing a new system from taking shape. Using World Savvy frameworks and resources, we will explore how letting go can create opportunities for new ways of thinking and help to build a culture of innovation where everyone is working towards a common goal.

Presenters

• KK Neimann, National Director of District & Strategic Initiatives, World Savvy

How to Attend

• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 19
• Time: 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
• Location: Elderberry

World Savvy is attending the 2024 Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) Annual Conference!

Stop by our booth in the Exhibit Hall to meet Jonathan Filzen, Director of K-12 Outreach & Engagement for the Midwest region, and Anne Soto, Executive Director for the Midwest region, and find out how World Savvy can help you achieve your district’s priorities!

While you’re there, ask us about the transformative work already taking place at some of our current ed service agency partners across the U.S.

World Savvy is attending the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) 2024 Fall Conference. If you’re going, stop by our booth and meet Jonathan Filzen, Director of K-12 Outreach & Engagement for the Midwest region, to find out how World Savvy can help you achieve your district’s priorities!

While you’re there, ask us about the transformative work already taking place at some of our current Minnesota district and school partners including, St. Anthony-New Brighton School District and AIM Academy of Science and Technology.

World Savvy is attending the Turn Up & Turn Out Civic Education Fair in Atherton, CA. Come stop by our booth to connect with Marley Wertheimer, Director of K-12 Outreach & Engagement for the West region.

Leading for Collective Action: Co-creating the Future of Teaching & Learning

World Savvy is attending the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (MASA) Fall Conference. If you’re going, be sure to add our presentation to your agenda!

What We’re Talking About

Reimagining the future of education for a complex and ever-changing world is no small task, but it is one that we must undertake with urgency and focus.

Given the current state of education, it might feel irresponsible to turn our focus away from the present. School leaders are managing low test scores, high rates of depression and anxiety, divided communities, and unprecedented teacher shortages. But it is precisely for these reasons that we must transform the current system and bring forth a new vision.

And you do not have to do it alone.

In this session, we will explore how school leaders can unleash the creativity of their students, educators, and community members and enlist their support to reimagine the future of teaching and learning so everyone inside your district can have joyful learning experiences that cultivate connections, feel relevant and engaging, and develop the skills and dispositions necessary to thrive in both community and career.

Presenters

• Dr. Jeff Collier, Superintendent, Saginaw ISD
• KK Neimann, National Director of District & Strategic Initiatives, World Savvy

How to Attend

• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 18
• Time: 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
• Location: Michigan G/H