Maia Blankenship is a Partner at the Wildflower Foundation whose role ensures that educators are valued, supported, and empowered to create vibrant learning environments for students. Maia brings more than 15 years of experience with strategic planning, talent strategy, process improvement and organizational design in her role at the Wildflower Foundation. She serves on the founding team to launch The DC Wildflower Public Charter School. She is the proud mom of an independent six-year-old who attends a public Montessori school.

Dr. Erika L. McDowell is a former NJ governor’s award recipient and honors graduate of Howard University and New York University. Erika currently is an Equity Steward at Wildflower Schools. She earned her EdD from Drexel University in Educational Leadership and Management, in May 2020.  Dr. McDowell has received the Association for Positive Behavior Support’s 2020 E.G. “Ted” Carr Early Career Practitioner Award and has been elected to the APBS Board of Directors for the 2021-2024 term, serving in the inaugural Racial and Ethnic Diversity Seat. Most recently, Erika was honored as one of Drexel’s 40 under 40 in 2022.  She has served as an Executive Director of Professional Development and Director of PBIS/Youth Court for The School District of Philadelphia. Other positions previously held include assistant principal and teacher. Her in-depth experience includes restorative practices, equity, positive behavioral support, conflict resolution, classroom management, coaching, leadership development, and behavioral data support. In June 2022, she began her appointment as a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and policy at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Dr. McDowell continues to be committed to nurturing the minds and gifts of leaders, teachers, and youth nationwide.