Team

Dr. Sharon L. Contreras is a teacher at heart, a transformational leader and a passionate advocate for children and education. She is the CEO of The Innovation Project in North Carolina, a collaborative of forward-thinking education leaders who are unleashing student potential and shaping the future of learning.

Growing up in Uniondale, NY with nine brothers and sisters, she learned early to advocate for her right to an excellent education. At the age of 10 she was told by her teacher she didn’t belong in the advanced gifted program that she knew included classmates she had tutored. After pleading her case independently, then alongside her parents, she gained a seat in the accelerated program which changed the trajectory of her life, while lighting a fire for achievement and advocacy for others. Years later, not even the gradual loss of 90% of her hearing stopped her from breaking through barriers for herself and removing them for her students.

Contreras is celebrated for implementing policies and practices aimed at eradicating opportunity gaps. She has held two superintendencies—one urban and one in a county-wide district serving urban, suburban, and rural students. Her tenure in Guilford County—one of the nation’s largest school districts—has been recognized for driving results, including expanding access to Advanced Placement courses, career technical education, and dual-enrollment programming preparing students and their parents for the workforce. GCS’ high impact tutoring initiative and learning hubs started during the pandemic are considered a national model. In 2022, the GCS graduation rate reached a high of 91.8%.

Contreras was named Superintendent of the Year by the North Carolina PTA (2019), a North Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year (2020) by the Piedmont Triad Educational Consortium and a Top 5 Finalist for the Green Garner Urban Education Leadership Award by the Council of Great City Schools (2020). She was among Triad Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs in 2020 and named to the Business North Carolina Power List 2022. Most recently (2024), Contreras was recognized by LatinxEd with the From Dreams to Action Award. She holds multiple degrees, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Sharon L. Contreras’ legacy is one of courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to children and families. Her work has not only transformed the districts she has led, but also set new standards for reimagining education nationally. Her relentless pursuit of educational justice and equity continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of educators and students.

Payton Parker Payton Parker serves as Chief Finance & Operations Officer for The Innovation Project, helping the team manage its resources, strengthen internal systems, and keep its work moving forward.

With more than a decade of experience supporting national education organizations, Payton brings a practical, collaborative approach to finance, operations, and grants management. Before joining TIP, Payton held finance and operations leadership roles with K12 Coalition and the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching. He has administered more than $175 million in federal awards and contributed to successful grant proposals securing more than $109 million for education initiatives.

Based in Northwest Arkansas, Payton is excited to support TIP’s work alongside educators and communities to unleash student potential and shape the future of learning.

Dr. Kim Morrison is the former Superintendent of Mount Airy City Schools (MACS). She is a lifelong educator having served for 31 years with the last eight years of her tenure as Superintendent. Dr. Morrison is known for her work with innovative schools all over the country serving as President of Magnet Schools of America. She is also the former chair of The Innovation Project, a North Carolina based superintendent led non-profit organization supporting innovation in school districts. She led a team that hosted the new Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, as the keynote in April and has partnered with the National Education Association Director, Becky Pringle, recently on national initiatives. She has brought in over 40 million dollars in grants and programs for public schools. Many of these schools have won national awards, including the Ronald P. Simpson Award, the top magnet award in the nation, the Schools to Watch award- a national middle school award, and the District of Distinction Award from the District Administration Magazine.

Dr. Morrison was the PTEC Superintendent of the Year in 2022 and one of two finalists for the American Association of School Administrators, “Women in School Leadership Awards” (2012). Dr. Morrison won the 2016 Rhododendron Award from Appalachian State University, the highest honor in the School of Education for alumni. She is most proud of being the mother of two college-age young men, Kaleb and Eli and being the wife of Tommy Morrison.

Dr. Valerie H. Bridges is the retired Superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools. She served as superintendent from 2017-2023, during her tenure in Edgecombe she led the school district out of low performing status. Before serving as District Superintendent she served as Associate and Assistant Superintendent in Edgecombe and Washington County Schools. Before working in the Eastern region of North Carolina, she worked in Guilford and Wake County Public Schools as a high school teacher, middle school assistant principal, and elementary principal. During her tenure as principal, she was nominated as principal of the year several times (three of the six years) and was named 2007 Principal of the Year by GCAEOP. Her school was selected as one of the fifteen most improved schools during the 2007 school year and met high growth standards during the 2008 and 2009 school years. As a school leader, she has implemented multiple programs to improve academic achievement and student support (40 Days of Purpose, Principals, Days of Peace, Covey Moments). The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce nominated Dr. Bridges as the 2021 Distinguished Citizen of the Year on February 4, 2021.

She earned a B.S. degree in Accountancy from UNC Wilmington, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Meredith College, teacher certification from St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, a Master’s degree in School Administration and a doctorate degree in Educational Research and Leadership from NC State University in Raleigh, NC.

Dr. Bridges is an active member of the Fulbright Principal Exchange program and has traveled to Brazil and Argentina. She has hosted principals from Argentina in Guilford and Edgecombe County.

She is married and has 2 children; she loves professional football and college basketball. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, and shopping for shoes.

But her real passion and joy is for children and helping students to reach their full potential. Her motto is “Whatever it Takes” to help students succeed.

Dr. Jennifer D. Brown is a seasoned executive leader with 25 years of experience advancing excellence in education and nonprofit leadership. While leading TIP’s Accelerate Carolinas project, she also currently serves as a Regional Superintendent at the KIPP Foundation, where she coaches and supports CEOs and Executive Directors across seven regions within the nation’s largest network of nonprofit college-preparatory charter schools.

Previously, Dr. Brown served as Executive Director of KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools, where she led the successful turnaround and expansion of the region. Her leadership centered on strengthening academic outcomes, building organizational coherence, and cultivating strong partnerships with families, community leaders, and stakeholders to ensure sustainable impact.

Dr. Brown’s career spans classroom teaching, district and nonprofit leadership, and executive-level system stewardship. Earlier in her career, she worked in school districts across North and South Carolina and held leadership roles in national education nonprofit organizations, including New Leaders and New Classrooms Innovation Partners, supporting leadership development and the implementation of innovative instructional models.

Her leadership approach is also shaped by service in the U.S. Army Reserve which includes a deployment to Iraq as a Public Affairs Broadcast Journalist during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dr. Brown holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University, as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English from Winthrop University. She has been recognized for her impact as a Jacksonville Business Journal Ultimate CEO (2023), a Woman of Influence (2023), and as the recipient of the inaugural Reflecting Freedom for Education Award from the Mandela family in 2019.

In addition to her professional work, Dr. Brown is the creator and author of What’s in Brown’s Bag™, a weekly leadership series offering practical insights and tools grounded in reflection, lived experience, and results.

An active member of her church and several service organizations, Dr. Brown is also a proud wife and mom. She believes deeply that strong, human-centered leadership can unlock the potential of individuals, organizations, and communities.

Dr. Jocelyn Bethel Becoats is a retired educator with 32 years of service in public education. Most recently, she served as Grant Budget Manager for the Teaching School Leaders grant with The Innovation Project under the leadership of Dr. Sharon Contreras. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Federal and Special Programs for Guilford County Schools, overseeing a $35 million budget. Her other leadership roles included Chief of Curriculum, Instructional Improvement Officer, and Executive Director of Elementary and Middle School Curriculum. Her career also included service as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.

A native of Kinston, North Carolina, Dr. Becoats holds a doctorate and specialist degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a master’s degree in education administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and mathematics education from North Carolina State University.

Dr. Becoats is a 40-year Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She serves as the Educational Development Chair of the Greensboro Alumnae Chapter and holds several South Atlantic Region leadership roles, currently as the Membership Intake North Carolina State Coordinator. She is also a member of the Greensboro Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

She is also an Associate Member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., serving as a Mother Away from Home for students at North Carolina A&T State University.

Committed to community service, Dr. Becoats is the immediate past board chair and current member of Operation Xcel. She also serves on the boards of North Carolina A&T State University’s Center for Teaching Excellence and State Employees Credit Union. Additionally, she volunteers with Teen Court through One Step Further.

Among her proudest accomplishments is being the mother of two daughters, Iman and Jadyn.