Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Maddry, M.EdLT, is a veteran educator, ethical EdTech strategist, and co-founder of BrightMinds AI, where she helps K–12 schools and education organizations navigate safe, purposeful, and sustainable AI integration. With more than two decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, school leadership in the UAE, and district-level strategy in the United States, Jessica brings a rare systems-level perspective to education reform. She is the architect of the PURPOSE Framework for ethical AI in schools and the author of Beyond the Machine: Teaching with PURPOSE in the Age of AI, grounding her work in the belief that pedagogy, technology, and policy must always be led by intention rather than trends.
Through BrightMinds AI and her consulting practice, Jessica partners with school districts, leadership teams, and EdTech organizations to cut through noise and compliance-driven mandates. Her work focuses on aligning tools with real classroom needs, evaluating technology through student-centered and equity-driven lenses, and helping leaders build trust-based, future-ready strategies. Known for her research-backed yet practical approach, she supports districts in funding audits, curriculum alignment, AI readiness, and long-term planning—often connecting clients with vetted experts to ensure sustainable solutions.
At the heart of Jessica’s work is a commitment to restoring joy, belonging, and purpose in education. Her career reflects a consistent focus on ethical leadership, transparency, and community-building, informed by hands-on experience and advanced study in learning technologies and educational leadership. Whether advising policymakers, supporting educators, or shaping the future of AI in schools, Jessica Maddry continues to advocate for an education system where innovation serves humanity—not the other way around.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to strong values, a deep respect for educators and families, and my ability to translate complex educational challenges into thoughtful, practical solutions. Staying grounded in purpose-driven work and community-centered innovation has guided my leadership and impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my business partner, Claire Smizer, who reminded me to stay grounded in purpose and build solutions that truly serve educators and learning communities.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to trust their expertise, stay grounded in their values, and not be intimidated by fast-moving technology—because purpose and clarity will always be long-term advantages in this field.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in education technology right now is integrating AI responsibly without losing human connection, while the greatest opportunity is using innovation to rebuild community, equity, and belonging in education.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, equity, community, and purpose-driven leadership, which guide how I make decisions at work and how I show up in my personal life. I’m deeply passionate about education reform and rebuilding trust between schools and families, shaped by my experiences as both a parent and an educator. I’ve also been influenced by mentors—educators, school leaders, and mission-driven founders—who modeled ethical leadership and showed me that values-based work can create lasting change.
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