When—Tuesday, July 1, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
HBGCC – Mainstage
Think Big Series: The Invisible Currency: Social Capital and the Future of Career-Connected Learning
What if the most valuable outcome of career-connected learning isn’t just a credential, but a network? Drawing on TNTP’s finding that social capital is a critical driver of mobility, this session will unpack how schools can intentionally cultivate the relationships, mentorship, and connections that open doors for students-especially those historically left out. She’ll cover the importance of developmentally appropriate experiences and how social capital can be woven into every aspect of CCL. Participants will gain practical tools for mapping and measuring social capital, ensuring no student is left to navigate their future alone.
As chief transformation officer for TNTP, a research, policy and consulting organization dedicated to transforming public education, Mahnaz R. Charania, Ph.D., drives innovation and growth by aligning leadership, expanding partnerships, and leveraging data to drive innovations and yield improved educational outcomes and economic and social mobility for all learners. She leads a dynamic team overseeing the organization’s national research agenda, leveraging evidence to design and scale TNTP’s services, and ensuring the organization’s strategies remain adaptive and impactful in the evolving education ecosystem. Prior to joining TNTP, she served as the founding executive director of the Rozhar Education Collaborative where she partnered with PK-16 schools, districts, nonprofits, and intermediaries to enhance their capacity for courageous, systems-level leadership and implement innovative practices that support student success.
At the Clayton Christensen Institute, Mahnaz co-directed a multiyear $1.5 million field-building initiative aimed at scaling innovative practices and edtech tools to expand students’ social capital through career-connected pathways, civic education programs, and place-based learning. Known for bridging the gap between research and practice, Mahnaz excels at designing meaningful data-driven learning experiences. Previously, at Fulton County Schools, she established the inaugural Department of Research and Program Evaluation, led the district’s 2017 strategic planning process, and played a pivotal role in rolling out personalized learning across 96 schools.
Mahnaz holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and a doctoral degree in experimental social psychology from the University of Texas at Arlington. She’s a Pahara Fellow and a sought-after speaker on strategies for measuring nonacademic outcomes and scaling innovative practices that support learners toward social and economic mobility.
