Dan Cardinali is president of Communities In Schools, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to keeping kids in school and empowering them to succeed in life. CIS currently serves 1.5 million students in 2,400 schools throughout 25 states and the District of Columbia. Under his leadership, the organization has been nationally recognized for developing one of the most effective models for decreasing dropouts, increasing graduation and changing the picture of education in America. His expertise and empathy have made him a sought-after voice in any discussion of public education and social justice. Each year, Cardinali delivers dozens of speeches at think tanks, universities and policy forums, and his viewpoint is frequently sought out by news media.