Cortney Rowland joined NCTR in 2021 as the Director of State and Federal Policy. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of the overall policy priorities and strategy for the organization. Prior to joining the NCTR team, Cortney worked at the American Institutes for Research (AIR) as a principal technical assistance consultant, managing research, policy, and technical assistance projects related to teacher and school leader talent systems and contributing to the organization’s strategic planning, business development, and partnership and network cultivation. She also previously worked at the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices directing the school leadership work and supporting state initiatives to strengthen principal pathways and enhance policies focused on principals. Cortney has worked for 20 years to connect research, policy, and practice and support schools, districts, and states in improving their systems of recruiting, developing, and supporting teachers and school leaders. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Ohio University, a master’s degree in sociology from Bowling Green State University, and a Ph.D. in sociology from Loyola University Chicago.