Executive Office Staff
Linda P. Rosen, Ph.D.
Linda Rosen serves as the chief executive officer of Change the Equation. Dr. Rosen has a proven track record in providing leadership to the business community in its mission to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning. Her stellar career has focused on scaling up research-based best practices, working with states and localities to implement these practices to ensure long-term sustainability and success.
Previously, Dr. Rosen was the senior vice president for the National Alliance of Business where she worked with companies to articulate their STEM vision for the 2001 Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind).
As Senior Advisor to U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley, Dr. Rosen provided counsel on math and science, as well as STEM initiatives. She led the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century, also known as the John Glenn Commission.
Prior to joining the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Rosen served as Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the largest professional association of teachers of math and teacher educators, and as the National Academy of Sciences’ Associate Executive Director of the Mathematical Sciences Education Board.
Early in her career, Dr. Rosen was a teacher, having taught mathematics from high school through graduate school.
Claus von Zastrow, Ph.D.
Claus von Zastrow is the Chief Operating Officer and director of research for Change the Equation. Most recently, Dr. von Zastrow was executive director of the Learning First Alliance, a partnership of 16 major education associations that represent over ten million parents, educators and policymakers. At the Alliance, he worked with the executive directors and elected leaders of Alliance member organizations to facilitate collaboration at every level of the education system and promote the continual and long-term improvement at public education.
Prior to joining the Alliance, Dr. von Zastrow was at the Council for Basic Education where he published research on the impact of state and federal policy on school practice. He also served as a policy director at the National Alliance of Business, where he developed or managed policy initiatives to improve student achievement at all levels, promote universal access to higher education, and formulate sound workforce development strategies focused on lifelong learning.
Priscilla Briones
Priscilla Briones is director of constituent services for Change the Equation. Prior to joining CTEq, Briones served as program manager for the Virginia-based Rightway Development where she oversaw the human resources, IT, and marketing departments. In Texas, Briones was a reporter with the Castroville News Bulletin and the Medina Valley Times, as well as an instructional design senior analyst with Accenture.
Christina Gordon
Christina Gordon is director of communications at Change the Equation. Most recently, Gordon served as director of strategic communications and stewardship with the Pro Bono Institute in Washington, D.C., where she ran a multifaceted strategic communications and outreach program, building it from scratch. She oversaw the redesign of the organization’s website, as well as launched a blog, increased media exposure, and grew social media engagement across all channels.
Prior to PBI, Gordon was Director of Communications for the National School Boards Association in Alexandria, Va., where she managed all aspects of the organization’s communications program, including public and media relations, social media tools, and the award-winning BoardBuzz blog. Additionally, she worked for Arlington Transportation Partners, integrating new media tools to raise awareness of the organization’s mission. She also taught seventh grade English in Montgomery County, Md.