Enduring Innovation: How K12’s Established Leaders are Evolving in the Age of AI

Recorded live at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Alex Peng, President & CFO at TAL Education Group; Jamie Candee, President & CEO at Edmentum; Julie Lammers, President & CEO at Britebound; Matthew Mugo Fields, President, Integrated Platform at HMH; Tyrone Holmes, Chief Impact Officer at Curriculum Associates; and Michelle Caffrey, Staff Writer at EdWeek Market Brief.The speakers discussed how, in a rapidly shifting EdTech landscape, established organizations carry the responsibility of balancing at-scale reliability with cutting-edge transformation. They explored how, for legacy players, the AI era presents an opportunity to deepen a long-standing story of classroom impact while navigating the complexities of modernizing the systems schools rely on every day.The panel examined the concept of “innovation of stewardship,” emphasizing that achieving meaningful, large-scale impact requires a strong commitment to implementation fidelity and research-based evidence. The session also highlighted how these leaders are integrating emerging technologies while preserving the essential human relationships and trust at the core of effective teaching.