Toppo brings nearly two decades of reporting and subject matter expertise to social impact agency’s content strategy and storytelling efforts

Washington, DC, October 30, 2019 — Whiteboard Advisors, a unique communications and social impact firm working with innovative nonprofits, philanthropists and entrepreneurs, today announced the addition of Greg Toppo as the agency’s first-ever reporter in residence. A former national education reporter for the Associated Press and USA Today, Toppo is an accomplished journalist and author who has been writing about education practice and policy for nearly two decades.

“Both schools and workplaces are changing as a result of rapid technological change, and I’m looking forward to further exploring the implications of those changes,” said Toppo.

Toppo most recently served as a senior editor at Inside Higher Ed, and is currently president of Education Writers Association Board of Directors. He is the author of two books, The Game Believes in You: How Digital Play Can Make Our Kids Smarter (St. Martin’s Press, 2015) and Running With Robots (forthcoming in 2020 from MIT Press), co-authored with educator James Tracy, which examines how AI, automation and machine learning are changing the American high school. A graduate of St. John’s College in Santa Fe, N.M., Toppo taught for eight years before moving into journalism. 

As reporter in residence, Toppo will serve as a lead writer for Whiteboard Advisors Content Studio, which develops original, high-quality written content that explores the future of learning and work. The firm has recently produced white papers and reports on topics ranging from developmentally appropriate kindergarten to employer-provided educational assistance. Toppo joins Whiteboard Advisors’ growing team of advisors, which includes:

  • Best-selling author and former Chronicle of Higher Education editor Jeff Selingo; 

  • Peter Cunningham, who served as Assistant Secretary of Communications and Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education under Secretary Arne Duncan, and founded Education Post; 

  • Corporate learning analyst and Forbes contributor Josh Bersin; 

  • Former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift;

  • Anurima Bhargava, who served as Chief of the Educational Opportunities Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice; and 

  • Former U.S. Deputy and Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris

“Throughout his reporting career, Greg has been at the forefront of the trends and policies impacting the state of learning in the U.S.,” said Jenna Talbot, head of Whiteboard Advisors’ communications group. “His incisive reporting will bring important insights to our content development and strategy work. I’ve long admired Greg’s thoughtful reporting, and am excited to welcome him to our team as a key advisor.” 

With offices in Washington, D.C., Denver, and Menlo Park, Whiteboard Advisors has a well-earned reputation as the go-to firm for technology companies, investors, and innovative nonprofits working to transform the education and workforce landscape. The firm’s diverse portfolio of clients includes LinkedIn Learning, ClassDojo, General Assembly, and Code.org. 

For more information, or to receive the firm’s weekly “W/A Notes” roundup of education news, please contact us or visit www.whiteboardadvisors.com.    

About Whiteboard Advisors

Whiteboard Advisors is a unique strategic consulting and communications firm. Our team brings an unmatched understanding of the media, technology, and policy landscapes to bear on designing strategies for high growth companies and innovative nonprofits. From offices in Washington, DC, and Silicon Valley, we create award-winning communications strategies, conduct policy and market research to help organizations achieve scale and make an impact. www.whiteboardadvisors.com