Mehrain Mahdi (she/her) is a public education advocate, community organizer, and parent leader dedicated to expanding opportunities for New York City students. She has served on the School Leadership Team (SLT) at a District 2 school, where she established the after-school Spanish program to increase access to world language education for elementary students. She is also the founder of Little Leaping Leaders, a community initiative that empowered young girls through leadership development, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities. Throughout her volunteer service, Mehrain has organized family engagement initiatives, connected parents with school resources, and worked to strengthen partnerships among families, educators, and school leaders.Mehrain has a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ). In addition to her work in education, she has more than 20 years of experience implementing complex strategic initiatives and leading digital transformation, most recently in the healthcare industry. She has partnered with schools to support programs that strengthen school communities and enhance student learning. As a New York City school parent, Mehrain is committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities, supporting inclusive and culturally responsive learning, strengthening world language and STEM education, and fostering meaningful collaboration between schools and families. She is honored to serve on the Panel for Educational Policy and to contribute her experience in community engagement and leadership in support of New York City’s students, families, and schools.