Speakers
Dr. Monica Goldson
Superintendent, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Dr. Monica Goldson, the dedicated and dynamic leader of the 20th largest school district in the nation, has spent her entire career serving students in the same community where she was raised and where she chose to raise her own family.
Dr. Goldson earned three degrees from historically Black colleges and universities – a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in Elementary and Secondary School Administration from Bowie State University, and a doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy from Howard University.
She began her career as a mathematics teacher at Suitland High School with long-term plans to become an actuary. However, life had other plans. Within her first few weeks on the job, she realized that education was her true calling and her leadership skills were quickly recognized. Before becoming CEO, she served the District as an assistant principal, principal, Associate Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and Chief Operating Officer.
A member of Chiefs for Change, Dr. Goldson is a recipient of the Women Who Mean Business Award from Washington Business Journal and the Walker’s Legacy Women in Economic Development & Civic Leadership Award. She is a graduate of Leadership Greater Washington and currently serves on the board of Nonprofit Prince George’s and the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce. She has also appeared on Washingtonian magazine’s list of “Washington’s Most Powerful Women.”
Dr. Goldson has two adult sons, both graduates of Prince George’s County Public Schools.
Dr. Monifa B. McKnight
Interim Superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools
Dr. Monifa B. McKnight currently serves as the interim superintendent for MCPS. Prior to this role, she served as MCPS' deputy superintendent. She also served as the Chief School Management and Instructional Leadership Officer for Howard County Public Schools.
Prior to going to Howard County, Dr. McKnight served as the Director for Secondary Leadership Development Programs in Montgomery County Public Schools. She also served as a Campus Principal Ambassador Fellow for the United States Department of Education in 2016 under the leadership of Secretary of Education John King.
Dr. McKnight was honored as the 2015 Maryland Middle School Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals and as the 2015 Maryland State Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. She received this honor during her 5th year as the Principal of Ridgeview Middle School in Gaithersburg, MD.
Dr. McKnight’s prior experiences in education include: classroom teacher, English Resource Teacher, Staff Development Teacher, and Assistant Principal. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Bowie State University, Bowie Maryland, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Dr. Darryl L. Williams
Superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools
Dr. Darryl L. Williams was appointed superintendent of schools for Baltimore County Public Schools on May 21, 2019, by the Board of Education. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Williams served as an associate superintendent of K-12 schools in Montgomery County Public Schools (Md.)
Dr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Hampton University. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from American University and completed his doctoral degree from the University of Maryland College Park. He is a native Washingtonian and graduated from the first graduating class of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, DC, in 1984. He began his teaching career as a mathematics teacher at Banneker Academic High School from 1988 to 1994.
Dr. Williams is married to Shellie Bronson Williams and together they have three children. They reside in Baltimore County.
Outside of work, Dr. Williams is a talented musician and he loves watching sports, going to the movies, and spending time with his family and friends. His bucket list includes visits to all of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a return to Colombia, South America, where he was an exchange student during the summer of his sophomore year in high school. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and serves on various community organizations.