Lydia Hollon is the Senior Associate Director of Research & Policy at Waypoint Education Partners, where she helps states, school systems, and nonprofits design family-centered tools, conduct family and student-oriented research, and craft communications that make student learning clearer and more actionable. Her recent work includes partnering with organizations such as Learning Heroes, National PTA, Charter School Growth Fund, and state education agencies such as Virginia Department of Education to improve how families understand academic progress, school quality, and student well-being. In addition to her consulting work, Lydia serves as a senior college advisor, supporting high school students across the country as they navigate selective admissions, financial aid, and the transition to college and career. She began her career as a classroom teacher in elementary and high school settings, an experience that grounds her belief that every policy and innovation must make sense to the students and families it is meant to serve. Lydia also serves on the board of Free to Be Collective, an Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on literacy, community, and belonging for Black women. She holds a B.A. in Politics from New York University and an M.A. in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Lydia lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and daughter (as well as a dog and two cats that she considers her bonus kids) and is passionate about mastery-based learning, college and career readiness, and meaningful family engagement that extends beyond the bell.