Insights for School Leaders

Thought Leadership

Our thought leaders bring predictive analytics to life by connecting data, strategy, and leadership practice. Explore our upcoming webinar series for practical perspectives on using predictive insights to anticipate challenges, prioritize action, and improve outcomes.

Meet the Experts

Meet Our Thought Leaders

Decades of experience. A shared commitment to helping education leaders turn data into clarity, strategy, and measurable action.

John Gatta, Ph.D.

President/CEO

John Gatta, Ph.D., is President/CEO of ECRA and an Associate Professor at Northwestern University specializing in statistics, predictive analytics, and machine learning. An award-winning educator and statistician, he brings a unique combination of academic, technical, management, and leadership experience to helping school systems use research and analytics for continuous improvement. Dr. Gatta serves as chief architect of ECRA’s analytic infrastructure, including its data structures, prediction algorithms, and reporting systems.

Mike Lubelfeld, Ed.D.

Vice President

Michael Lubelfeld, Ed.D., is a Vice President at ECRA and a nationally recognized educational leader, author, speaker, and former public school superintendent with more than 25 years of leadership experience. He served as an Illinois superintendent from 2010 to 2026, most recently leading North Shore School District 112, and his areas of expertise include leadership development, generative AI in education, student voice, change leadership, and future-ready school systems.

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Thought Leadership

Upcoming Webinars

Join John Gatta and Mike Lubelfeld for a four-part webinar series designed for education leaders who want to focus on what matters, act earlier, communicate impact, and make stronger strategic decisions.
October 28, 2026

What Is a Future-Focused Leader?

Online

Looking ahead does not require a crystal ball; it requires seeing the signals already in front of you. Learn how future-focused leaders use prediction models to look around corners by using the information their district already has to see which students may need support before those students appear on anyone’s list. Dr. Michael Lubelfeld and…

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November 18, 2026

Just Say No

Online

Saying no is not retreat; it is how leaders protect the few priorities that can move the needle. Learn how courageous leaders decide what to stop, not from instinct alone, but from evidence about whether a program produced enough impact to earn another year of attention and funding. Dr. Michael Lubelfeld and Dr. John Gatta…

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All ECRA Webinars and Events

Explore all upcoming ECRA webinars and events for more opportunities to connect, learn, and discover new ways to put data and predictive analytics into action.
All Webinars & Events