Leads the public opinion research and content creation for HCM Strategists’ K-12 portfolio. Her research for Learning Heroes and others focuses on perceptions related to expectations for schools, accountability, assessments and student achievement. Erica has been involved in multiple national surveys aimed at better understanding how to communicate education policies effectively to parents and the public. Cindi Williams, Co-Founder of Learning Heroes As a senior official at the U.S. Department of Education, the White House and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she has seen how communications, advocacy and policy can work together to improve student outcomes. Cindi currently leads the K-12 education practice for Learning Heroes. She and her team have the privilege of partnering with innovative clients who share the team’s mission of helping those students who have historically been underserved by the public education system. 3