Helping Kids Thrive in an AI World: Insights from Challenge Success-Stanford Research

Join us for an evening that brings our community together around some of the most pressing questions in education today: How can we help young people thrive in an AI-driven world? How can schools support students’ well-being, engagement, and belonging as technology rapidly evolves? 

We’ll explore how AI is showing up in classrooms and what young people need to navigate these changes with confidence and integrity. The program includes:

• A keynote from Dr. Denise Pope, Challenge Success co-founder and senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate of Education, highlighting what our latest research reveals about AI’s impact on student learning, stress, and engagement
• A panel discussion and Q&A featuring thought leaders in AI policy and education

Your admission includes dinner, drinks, and a one-of-a-kind program designed to spark insight, connection, and action. Together, we’ll ponder how students can succeed and thrive in an AI world.

All proceeds benefit Challenge Success, a 501c3 nonprofit affiliated with the Stanford Graduate School of Education.

Featured Speakers

Sharon Olken, M.A.

Former Executive Director, Gateway Public Schools & California State Board of Education Member

For nearly thirty years, Sharon Olken has been a teacher, leader, and advocate for the power of education. Appointed by Governor Newsom in 2021, she currently serves on the California State Board of Education and the AI in Education Task Force. For more than two decades at Gateway Public Schools in San Francisco, Sharon served as a teacher, principal, school founder, and executive director, helping build Gateway into a nationally recognized model of excellence and equity and launching Gateway Impact to share best practices and connect educators nationwide.

Denise Pope, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer, Stanford Graduate School of Education
Co-Founder, Challenge Success

Denise Pope, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education and a nationally recognized expert on student well-being, engagement, and school culture. She is the author of “Doing School” and co-author of Overloaded and Underprepared. A former high school English teacher, Dr. Pope lectures widely on parenting and pedagogical strategies that promote balance, integrity, and meaningful learning.

Bill Salak

Chief Technology Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Brainly

Bill Salak is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Brainly, the world’s leading AI-powered learning platform. With over 25 years of experience in technology and leadership, he has led global teams building mission-critical systems across education, media, and enterprise domains. At Brainly, Bill drives the vision for leveraging AI to personalize learning and empower students and educators worldwide. Bill brings an international perspective to the conversation, having contributed to AI policy work in the US and European Union.

Jeff Symonds

Assistant Head of School for Academics & Dean of Faculty, The Branson School

Jeff Symonds is the Assistant Head of School for Academics and Dean of Faculty at The Branson School is Ross, CA, where he has played just about every school role since 1991, from English Teacher to class Dean to East Bay shuttle driver to the world’s most under-qualified golf coach. Jeff will share his experience with Branson School’s AI adoption, including insights on how it has changed teaching and learning.