With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Preis will lead Aligned’s efforts to turn education research and policy into practical improvements for Missouri schools.
Aligned is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Stacey Preis as its new Vice President of Education Programs.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning classroom instruction, education policy, state government, and research, Dr. Preis brings a unique combination of expertise and leadership to Aligned’s expanding efforts to turn evidence-based education policy into measurable improvements for Missouri students.
In this newly established leadership role, Dr. Preis will lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and expansion of innovative education initiatives designed to strengthen Missouri school district operations, improve educator effectiveness, and drive student achievement.
Her work will focus on bridging the gap between education research, policy, and practice by partnering directly with Missouri school districts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and education leaders to test promising approaches and scale successful solutions statewide.
“Strong education policy is essential, but policy alone does not improve student outcomes. Meaningful progress requires effective implementation, accountability, and measurable results,” said Torree Pederson, President and CEO of Aligned. “Stacey brings an exceptional understanding of Missouri’s education system from nearly every perspective: classroom instruction, legislative policymaking, state-level leadership, and research. Her experience and relationships will be invaluable as Aligned expands its work beyond advocating for strong policies to helping Missouri education systems successfully implement solutions that make a real difference for students.”
Throughout her career, Dr. Preis has worked at the intersection of education practice, research, and public policy, developing a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Missouri public education. Her experience with DESE, the Missouri legislature, and education research provides a strong foundation for building collaborative partnerships and advancing meaningful improvements in education systems across the state.
“I’m excited to join Aligned and contribute to its efforts to improve outcomes for Missouri students. I look forward to helping translate education research and sound policy into practical solutions that make a measurable difference for students and schools,” said Dr. Preis.
Dr. Preis’ role at Aligned
As Vice President of Education Programs, Dr. Preis will lead several key initiatives focused exclusively on Missouri, including:
- Statewide Innovation and Pilot Programs: Design and implement initiatives in Missouri school districts that test promising approaches to improving district operations, educator effectiveness, resource allocation, and student achievement.
- Data-Driven Evaluation and Accountability: Establish measurable performance indicators, evaluate program effectiveness, and document results to identify solutions with demonstrated impact.
- Missouri Education Leadership Collaboration: Convene a statewide coalition of superintendents, district administrators, DESE representatives, and other education stakeholders to identify challenges, share best practices, and develop practical solutions.
- Operational Improvement and Innovation: Explore and advance evidence-based strategies, including outcomes-based contracting, innovative educator compensation models, strategic resource allocation, and educator workforce development.
- Scaling Proven Solutions: Translate successful pilot programs into practical implementation frameworks and resources that can support broader adoption across Missouri school districts.
“Missouri education leaders are being asked to prioritize their spending while responding to increasingly complex student needs,” Pederson added. “We believe there is tremendous opportunity to support districts by identifying what works, testing innovative approaches, and helping successful practices reach more classrooms. Stacey’s leadership represents an important investment in that work and in Aligned’s long-term commitment to improving education outcomes in Missouri.”
The addition of Dr. Preis reflects Aligned’s continued growth and its commitment to expanding organizational capacity to support systemic education improvement in Missouri. By combining business-led advocacy, rigorous research, strategic partnerships, and hands-on implementation support, Aligned seeks to accelerate progress toward its vision of every student prepared for an exciting, fulfilling, and self-sustaining career.