Sierra Noakes
Castro Valley
Summary
Strategic leader with a strong history of driving systemic change through innovative partnerships and collaboration. Proven expertise in developing self-sustaining programs and utilizing data-driven insights for informed decision-making. Committed to empowering communities to define and achieve their goals through inclusive processes. Demonstrates excellence in strategic planning, team leadership, and execution, ready to contribute valuable experience.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Edtech Evaluation & Contracting
Digital Promise
03.2024 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams, including direct reports, education leaders, teachers, students, and partners with external organizations, in the development of innovative solutions to complex problems.
- Directed research to identify trends and evidence-based approaches to the design and implementation of edtech and emerging technologies, including generative AI.
- Fundraised over $1M annually from multiple funders to align projects with procurement needs.
- Analyzed data to inform decision-making and strategic direction.
- Monitored industry trends to identify opportunities for expansion and innovation.
- Promoted a culture of innovation and encouraged staff to contribute ideas.
- Created detailed plans outlining timelines, goals, budgets, staffing needs and other requirements for projects.
Marketplace Project Director
Digital Promise
08.2021 - 02.2024
- Established ecosystem prioritizing educator and learner needs, awarding over 200 certifications across 100 products and reaching 550 million learners globally.
- Designed strategic plan for edtech and AI development, leveraging organizational assets and external partnerships.
- Directed Marketplace team budget and led fundraising initiatives, collaborating with diverse teams to develop quality indicators aligned with field priorities.
- Conducted regular meetings to review progress, address any potential risks or issues, and assess team performance.
Research Project Director, Lifelong Learning Pathways
Digital Promise
04.2020 - 08.2021
- Led ten concurrent research projects, emphasizing co-design with impacted voices.
- Established equity-based research practices to cultivate safe, respectful participant environments.
- Prepared detailed reports summarizing project activities and results for upper management.
Senior Research Project Manager
Digital Promise
04.2019 - 04.2020
- Drafted talking points and developed advocacy campaigns to communicate research and policy recommendations effectively.
- Co-designed and managed five cross-sector research projects focused on learner-centric systems.
- Enabled data-driven decision making by prioritizing needs of diverse learners through research initiatives.
Research Project Manager
Digital Promise
10.2018 - 04.2019
- Executed five mixed methods research studies focused on promoting data-driven decision making.
- Engaged over 25% more diverse, non-researcher audiences through creative reporting techniques.
- Produced written reports, blogs, infographics, videos, and national presentations for effective communication.
Research Associate
Digital Promise
04.2017 - 10.2018
- Conducted edtech pilots to assist over 50 districts in selecting impactful tools for learners.
- Published reports and blogs to share pilot results and insights with education community.
- Created and led professional development program for nearly 100 educators nationwide.
- Facilitated training on innovative research methods for data-driven decision making.
Educator and Curriculum Coordinator
Brooklyn Autism Center
08.2016 - 03.2017
- Developed and launched first social-emotional learning curriculum to enhance student agency and curiosity.
- Elevated middle school math acquisition rates from below 50% to over 90% through a universally designed curriculum.
- Aligned math instruction with research-based methodologies to improve learning outcomes.
Action Research Associate
Boston Public School Office of Engagement
09.2015 - 05.2016
- Led team of 10 high school student researchers to identify and mitigate discriminatory behavioral practices while proposing actionable solutions for district implementation.
Project Manager and Policy Analyst
NoticeAbility, Inc.
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Led team of four in developing research-based entrepreneur curriculum for middle school students with Dyslexia and ADHD to leverage student strengths and foster 21st century skills.
Graduate Teaching Fellow
Harvard University
06.2015 - 07.2015
- Delivered lectures on U.S. Department of Education policies and assessed students' assignments.
Manager and Founder of the Education Outreach Program
Roberts Environmental Center
12.2013 - 05.2015
- Created Education Team focused on partnering with local schools to enhance environmental education.
- Directed a team of 6 to develop programs promoting sustainability among young learners.
- Facilitated learning experiences covering responsible resource use and purchasing choices.
Research and Evaluation Intern
Learning Innovations, WestEd
06.2014 - 08.2014
- Compiled, coded, and analyzed qualitative data from focus groups with students, administrators, and teachers to co-author five reports and grant proposals for state and local governments.
Policy Analyst
White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education
08.2013 - 12.2013
- Devised accountability system for universities, enhancing retention and graduation rates of Native students.
- Conducted research and revised Department of Education's Tribal Consultation Policy to improve clarity and effectiveness.
Researcher and Policy Analyst
Roberts Environmental Center
09.2011 - 12.2013
- Analyzed data using statistical software programs such as SPSS, STATA, SAS, and R.
- Conducted literature reviews and synthesized research to identify gaps in knowledge and inform project objectives.
Education
Master of Education - Education Policy and Management
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Cambridge05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Government, Human Rights and Genocide
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont05.2015
Skills
- Data analysis and research design
- Project management and strategic planning
- Fundraising and grant writing
- Team leadership and cross-functional collaboration
- Partnership development and community engagement
- Program evaluation and growth strategies
- Written communication and multitasking
- Product launch and problem-solving aptitude
Affiliations
- Alumni Ambassador | Harvard Graduate School of Education | Cambridge, MA | Jun 2016–Present
- Tee-Ball Team Manager | Castro Valley Little League | Castro Valley, CA | January 2025–Present
- EdTech Remix Co-Designer | Stanford d.School K12 Lab | Jun 2022
- Working Group| Jefferson Education Exchange’s Edtech Genome Project | Washington, D.C. | Jan 2020–Jul 2021
- Mentor | iMentor Bay Area | Oakland, CA| May 2019–May 2020
Certification
- What Works Clearinghouse Group Design Standards Certification
Languages
Spanish
Limited
Selected Publications
- Noakes, S., Shell, A., Murillo, A. M., Van Nostrand, P., Ruiz, P., Cornick, S., & Karim, S. (2024). An Ethical and Equitable Vision of AI in Education: Learning Across 28 Exploratory Projects. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/3b03e97a-15db-447e-8587-95a5f2c1d13d.
- Noakes, S., Shell, A., Van Nostrand, P., Murillo, A. M., Ruiz, P., & Liberman, B. (2024). AI-Powered Innovations in Mathematics Teaching & Learning: Initial Findings. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/78359471-f72b-4b52-96dd-ff08efb9fd54
- Noakes, S. & Shell, A. (2024). Flipping the Status Quo: Outcomes Based Contracting May Ensure Edtech Reaches its Full Potential. https://digitalpromise.org/2024/10/25/flipping-the-status-quo-outcomes-based-contracting-may-ensure-edtech-reaches-its-full-potential/
Timeline
Director of Edtech Evaluation & Contracting
Digital Promise
03.2024 - Current
Marketplace Project Director
Digital Promise
08.2021 - 02.2024
Research Project Director, Lifelong Learning Pathways
Digital Promise
04.2020 - 08.2021
Senior Research Project Manager
Digital Promise
04.2019 - 04.2020
Research Project Manager
Digital Promise
10.2018 - 04.2019
Research Associate
Digital Promise
04.2017 - 10.2018
Educator and Curriculum Coordinator
Brooklyn Autism Center
08.2016 - 03.2017
Action Research Associate
Boston Public School Office of Engagement
09.2015 - 05.2016
Project Manager and Policy Analyst
NoticeAbility, Inc.
08.2015 - 05.2016
Graduate Teaching Fellow
Harvard University
06.2015 - 07.2015
Research and Evaluation Intern
Learning Innovations, WestEd
06.2014 - 08.2014
Manager and Founder of the Education Outreach Program
Roberts Environmental Center
12.2013 - 05.2015
Policy Analyst
White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education
08.2013 - 12.2013
Researcher and Policy Analyst
Roberts Environmental Center
09.2011 - 12.2013
Master of Education - Education Policy and Management
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Bachelor of Arts - Government, Human Rights and Genocide
Claremont McKenna College
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