Executive Team

Matt J. Navo

Executive Director
Matt J. Navo serves as the Executive Director for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE). Navo’s knowledge and expertise in systems improvement comes from over 30 years of experience as a K-12 educator and leader. Navo served as the Superintendent of Sanger Unified School District from 2013 to 2018. Before assuming the role of Superintendent, he was a special education teacher, secondary instructor, counselor, resource teacher, junior high learning director, high school assistant principal, elementary and alternative education principal, director of special education, and area administrator. Read More

Sujie Shin

Deputy Executive Director
Sujie Shin serves as the Deputy Executive Director for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE). In this role, Shin works closely with Executive Director Matt Navo, oversees agency operations, spearheads specific statewide initiatives, and helps to lead Direct Technical Assistance efforts. She oversees research and evaluation initiatives within the agency, centered around the implementation of systemic practices within districts and schools aimed at equitable access, opportunity, and outcomes for students. Read More

Dr. Stephanie Gregson

Deputy Executive Director
Dr. Stephanie Gregson serves as the Deputy Executive Director for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE). In this role, Dr. Gregson works closely with Executive Director Matt Navo, overseeing the Direct Technical Assistance efforts focusing on school turnaround centering on improving teaching and learning within districts and schools aimed at equitable access, opportunity, and outcomes for students. Dr. Gregson is the former Chief Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction and has more than 25 years of experience in public education starting her career as an elementary school teacher in the Sacramento City Unified School District. Read More

Chris Hartley

Deputy Executive Director
Dr. Chris Hartley serves as a Deputy Executive Director at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE). While supporting CCEE Executive Director, Matt Navo, his primary role is leading and supporting the CCEE Center of Transformative Systems for Equitable Educational Outcomes and efforts to build capacity and improve accessibility within the CA Statewide System of Support. Transitioning to CCEE from the role of serving as Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools, his background and service is focused on meeting the needs of children and youth throughout the K-12 system. Read More

Leighann Nguyen

Executive Assistant to Matt Navo
Leighann Nguyen serves as the Executive Assistant to CCEE’s Executive Director Matt Navo. In this role, she manages and coordinates the Executive Director’s daily schedule. She also provides administrative support to CCEE’s executive leadership, the CCEE Advisory Council, and operational support to CCEE staff. Prior to joining CCEE, Nguyen spent eight years at Aerojet Rocketdyne, a leading aerospace company with locations throughout the United States. Read More

Michelle Magyar, Ph.D.

Executive Advisor
Dr. Michelle Magyar is an Executive Advisor for the CCEE. In this role, she leads the implementation and management of fiscal and operational processes, as well as the development and coordination of strategic communication and engagement activities to support the agency. Prior to joining the CCEE, Dr. Magyar served as the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) Project Manager for the State Board of Education (SBE). She also served as an Administrator and Consultant with the California Department of Education (CDE).