Eileen Murphy

Founder and CEO, ThinkCERCA

Eileen Murphy is the Founder and CEO of ThinkCERCA. She is passionate about access to critical thinking instruction as the incubator of democracy and economic development. In 2018, Eileen was named one of the 100 most intriguing entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs and one of 35 world-changing women by Conscious Business. She is an Unreasonable Fellow and a Pahara-Aspen Fellow as well as an industry advisor to a number of multinational firms.

Eileen was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for 115 schools in Chicago Public Schools, as well as the founding English department chair at Walter Payton College Prep, the No. 1 ranked high school in Illinois, and taught English for 15 years. She is also the author of 360 Degrees of Text.

Jennifer McDonnell

ThinkCERCA National Partnerships Director

Jennifer recently joined ThinkCERCA after 12 years at the College Board.
She is a seasoned educator, curriculum director, and assessment specialist.
A mother of two teenagers, Jennifer is also a coffee enthusiast who loves traveling and reading.