Team Members

Dr. Jill Urich is an accomplished educational leader, certified professional coach, master practitioner of the Energy Leadership Index Assessment, and consultant with more than 30 years of experience serving in school districts at the high school, middle school, elementary, and early childhood levels. Her career spans roles as a teacher, school counselor, principal, Chief Academic Officer, and Director of Postsecondary Readiness—along with teaching at the graduate level for current and aspiring administrators. This breadth of experience gives her a deep, practical understanding of the complexities of educational leadership.

As the founder of LJUrich Consulting, Jill partners with schools and organizations to develop strong leaders, build effective teams, and create systems that support both high performance and well-being. Her work is grounded in leadership development, career-connected learning, and postsecondary readiness, with a particular focus on bridging education and the workforce in meaningful, sustainable ways. To this end, a highlight in her career has been the opportunity to synergize with stakeholders from the workforce and school district to create an innovative project-based learning program where students partnered with the workforce to solve real challenges using the Design Thinking Process. 

Jill is known for bringing the spirit of AND to her work—blending real-world leadership experience with formal training and certifications. She brings the strategic insight, coaching expertise, and research-based practices needed to help them grow and thrive. She is passionate about empowering individuals and teams to turn vision into action. Learn more about her work at jillurich.com.

Erin King is an education leader, systems thinker, and continuous improvement strategist dedicated to making complex organizations work better for people. In her work within one of the nation’s largest K–12 school systems, Erin focuses on a central question: How do we design systems that truly support the people they serve?

With a background spanning classroom teaching, department leadership, and district-level strategy, Erin brings both practitioner insight and operational expertise to her work. She began her career as a secondary English teacher and department chair, where she developed a deep appreciation for the daily realities educators face. That foundation continues to shape her approach to leadership—grounded in empathy, clarity, and purpose.

Erin believes systems don’t fail because people don’t care—they fail because they aren’t designed to support people well. That belief fuels her passion for identifying the gap between intention and execution—and closing it. Beyond her district leadership, Erin is the founder of Inspired Education and co-host of The Teacher’s Pep Rally Podcast, where she engages educators in meaningful conversations about life, learning, and leadership. She also leads Main Street PD, a professional learning experience in Orlando designed to inspire educators through creativity, culture, and connection.

Jim Wichman is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, leadership coach, and former education administrator with over 30 years of experience in both urban and rural school settings. Having grown up in poverty and experiencing homelessness, Jim brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges students, educators, and organizations face daily. His journey fuels his passion for helping individuals and teams recognize their own strengths and maximize their collective potential.

As a Leadership Catalyst and Inspiration Architect—and a certified DiSC trainer—Jim works with organizations across the country, guiding them through a systemic approach to growth that starts with self. His philosophy of Respecting, Supporting, and Valuing humans has helped leaders build stronger, more connected teams, healthier organizational cultures, and greater overall impact. Whether working with educators, corporate teams, or nonprofit groups, Jim’s high-energy, engaging approach inspires individuals to lean into their strengths and elevate those around them.

Jim has served in leadership roles at every educational level, leaving lasting, positive change in every organization he touches. His expertise in organizational culture, collective efficacy, and leadership development has made him a sought-after speaker and consultant nationwide. He has also served as Iowa’s NASSP State Coordinator, advocating for education policy and leadership development, and is a Senior Associate at JCasas & Associates.

Beyond his professional work, Jim and his wife, Amy—also a lifelong educator—are dedicated to education and family. Proud parents to EmmaKate, Evallyn, and Everhett, they remain committed to helping others see their superpowers—so together, we can shake the world as we go by.

Tracy Amedeo operates at the intersection of education, counseling, and mentorship. A high school college and career counselor, national speaker, and cohost of the podcast From Carpool to College, she is also the founder of Academic Mentoring, LLC. Tracy supports families through the high-stakes, high-emotion transition to college with both strategic precision and deep human insight. She began her career as a classroom teacher, spending 10 years in the classroom before transitioning into school counseling, where she has spent the past two decades guiding students and families.

Her work is grounded in extensive experience across dual enrollment, early college programs, college planning, and career and technical education (CTE), giving her a comprehensive understanding of both academic pathways and real-world outcomes. Recognized with multiple awards for her contributions to education, Tracy brings a thoughtful, practitioner-based perspective to everything she does.

Her approach integrates academic planning, coaching, and writing, ensuring students are not only well-positioned for admission but grounded in self-awareness and purpose. She also mentors emerging school counselors, a role she deeply values as part of giving back to the profession. Tracy’s work reflects a core belief: college planning is not just an outcome-driven process, but a developmental one. When approached with intention and strategy, the college planning process becomes a powerful framework for identity formation and long-term success.

Tara Horutz is an experienced educator, school leader, and the co-founder of Academic Mentoring. Specializing in executive function coaching and specialized student services, she helps learners of all ages develop the cognitive and organizational skills required for academic excellence. Through her work as a consultant and mentor, Tara provides the clarity and structure students need to manage the demands of rigorous curricula while maintaining personal well-being.

Dr. Lisa Hill brings nearly four decades of experience in education and is the founder of CTE by Design, an LLC dedicated to strengthening Career & Technical Education. With a doctorate in education and a career spanning roles as a teacher, school counselor, administrator, adjunct professor, and clinical professor. She brings a unique blend of administrative expertise, instructional leadership, and practical, on-the-ground wisdom to her work with schools.

Through CTE by Design, Lisa partners with districts and educators to build high-impact CTE programs that are both practical and professionally aligned. She facilitates the development of PLC structures designed specifically for CTE environments, supports the implementation of Standards-Referenced Grading, refines instructional practices, and cultivates meaningful partnerships with business and industry. Her work is grounded in the belief that strong systems, aligned instruction, and real-world application drive deeper student engagement and lasting outcomes. She also contributes to professional learning through educational conferences, supporting schools in aligning classroom practice with workforce expectations.

Lisa’s mission is to help schools move beyond compliance-driven practices and create meaningful CTE experiences that prepare students for success beyond high school. She is also the creator of the podcast Vice Principal UnOfficed, where she blends insight with humor drawn from real school experiences to build connection and perspective. In all she does, she remains focused on one outcome: ensuring classrooms reflect the expectations of the professional world. That focus drives the work of CTE by Design—Calibrating the classroom to professional-grade standards. Learn more at ctebydesign.com.