BROOKE RICE
Wilmington
Summary
Visionary nonprofit executive with 20+ years in education, curriculum design, and career readiness — including VP-level leadership at a national organization serving 115,000 high school students across 600 career academies. Brings deep expertise in CTE curriculum and assessment design, spanning traditional, portfolio-based, competency-based, and industry-professional-rated evaluation models. Proven ability to conceptualize and launch new programs from the ground up, lead high-performing teams, and forge strategic partnerships across the CTE and college readiness ecosystem — including ACTE, America Succeeds, and College Board's Teamship programs. A recognized thought leader in career readiness, work-based learning, and social capital development through conference presentations, podcast appearances, and published articles — with the hands-on experience launching and scaling CTE-aligned programs that reach students and educators across the country, bringing a rare combination of academic rigor and real-world relevance to curriculum design.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Curriculum & Work-Based Learning
NAF
02.2023 - Current
- Leads national strategy development and program implementation for work-based learning, curriculum, and instruction across NAF's career-themed career academies serving 115,000 students across 600 academies with a focus on equitable access to rigorous, career-relevant learning
- Directs a lean, high-impact team to design resources, tools, training, and coaching that equip educators and industry partners to build inclusive talent pipelines at a national scale.
- Works with strategic peer and funding partners to support and elevate programs and opportunities for young people
- Fosters and directs strategic partnerships with prominent CTE and college readiness organizations, including ACTE, Advance CTE, and College Board's Teamship program, to enhance program alignment with national standards.
- Spearheads integration of AI tools into curriculum development and assessment design workflows.
- Champions representation of NAF and CTE field as a thought leader through impactful conference presentations, podcast appearances, and published articles.
Senior Director, Work-Based Learning
NAF
01.2019 - 02.2023
- Spearheaded comprehensive research design, development, and nationwide implementation of an innovative, outcomes-driven work-based learning framework based on CTE principles.
- Engineered and executed a comprehensive multi-modal assessment architecture integrating traditional knowledge assessments, portfolio-based evidence of learning, competency-based progression models, and industry-rated evaluations of durable skill development.
- Designed and deployed essential infrastructure to ensure consistent, high-quality CTE learning experiences at scale.
- Collaborated on content development for KnoPro, NAF's work-based learning platform, aligning curriculum and assessment design with innovative digital product strategies.
- Implemented continuous improvement practices by leveraging data and educator feedback to enhance framework and resources across multiple annual cycles.
Director, Future Ready Labs
NAF
New York, NY
10.2016 - 01.2019
- Spearheaded the conception, planning, and launch of a transformative national internship program, facilitating access to premium paid internships that support students' career and technical education pathways.
- Developed and maintained multi-partner corporate relationships, effectively communicating a scalable program model to attract funder support and meet workforce demands.
Instructional Manager
NAF
New York, NY
10.2013 - 10.2016
- Established a national reputation as a practitioner-expert by delivering impactful professional learning on CTE curriculum integration and work-based learning, significantly benefiting student achievement.
- Developed and authored a college and career readiness curriculum aligned with CTE standards, ensuring comprehensive educational frameworks.
- Established national recognition as a thought leader by presenting at educator conferences and influencing the CTE and college readiness sectors.
Marketing Teacher & Career Development Coordinator
Granville and Lee County Schools
North Carolina
06.2003 - 10.2013
- Taught business and marketing curriculum to high school students in two North Carolina districts
- Managed work-based learning programs and multiple advisory boards to support student career development and local talent pipelines
Education
Ed.D. - Educational Leadership
Wingate University
Wingate, NC12-2018
Master of Arts - School Administration
UNC Pembroke
Pembroke, NC05-2014
Master of Science - Business & Marketing Education
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC05-2008
Bachelor of Science - Business & Marketing Education
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC05-2003
Skills
- Curriculum Development
- College & Career Readiness
- Learning Design
- Program, Project, and Partnership Management
- Nonprofit Leadership
- Budget Management
- Team Leadership
- Innovation & Creativity
- Strategy
Timeline
Vice President, Curriculum & Work-Based Learning
NAF
02.2023 - Current
Senior Director, Work-Based Learning
NAF
01.2019 - 02.2023
Director, Future Ready Labs
NAF
10.2016 - 01.2019
Instructional Manager
NAF
10.2013 - 10.2016
Marketing Teacher & Career Development Coordinator
Granville and Lee County Schools
06.2003 - 10.2013
Ed.D. - Educational Leadership
Wingate University
Master of Arts - School Administration
UNC Pembroke
Master of Science - Business & Marketing Education
North Carolina State University
Bachelor of Science - Business & Marketing Education
North Carolina State University