Gwinnett BOE approves new appointments at a Special Called Meeting

     During a Special Called Meeting on August 3, 2026, the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) approved four new leader appointments.

     Serena E. Sacks-Mandel has been appointed Chief Technology and Innovation Officer in the Division of Technology and Innovation. Sacks-Mandel currently serves as Global Field Chief Technology Officer for MGT Impact Solutions.

     Dr. Tamara J. Candis and Dr. Sharene L. Dixon have both been named Cluster Superintendents in the Division of School Improvement and Operations. Dr. Candis currently serves as Associate Superintendent with Bibb County Schools (Ga.), and Dr. Dixon serves as Assistant Superintendent with San Antonio Independent School District (Texas).

     Megan L. Hathaway has been appointed Principal of Lanier Middle School. Hathaway currently serves as Assistant Principal at Duluth High School.

 

Serena E. Sacks-Mandel, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer

Employment:

2024-Present          Global Field Chief Technology Officer, MGT Impact Solutions

2022-2024               Global Chief Technology / Transformation Officer, Microsoft

2020-2022               U.S. Customer Success Leader – Education, Microsoft

2014-2020               Chief Information Officer, Fulton County Schools, Ga.

2010-2014               Chief Information Officer, Florida Virtual School

Education:

Master’s degree in Urban and Policy Sciences – Stony Brook University
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science – Stony Brook University

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Dr. Tamara J. Candis, Cluster Superintendent

Employment:

2024-Present           Associate Superintendent of Schools, Bibb County Schools, Ga.

2020-2024               Zone 2 Superintendent, Fulton County Schools, Ga.

2019-2020               Area Executive Director, Northwest Learning Community,
                                 Fulton County Schools, Ga.

2018-2020               Adjunct Professor, Thomas University, Thomasville, Ga.

2013-2019               Principal, Hopkins Elementary School, Gwinnett County Public Schools

2010-2013               Assistant Principal, Gwinnett County Public Schools

2002-2010               Teacher, Gwinnett County Public Schools

2001-2002               Teacher, Walton County Schools, Monroe, Ga.

 

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work – Alabama A&M University
Master’s degree in Elementary Education , PreK-8 – Alabama A&M University
Specialist’s degree in Supervision and Administration – Lincoln Memorial University
Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership – Georgia State University

Dr. Candis is a graduate of the 2010 Quality-Plus Leader Academy Aspiring Leader Program (ALP) Cohort 1 and the 2013 Quality-Plus Leader Academy Aspiring Principal Program (APP) Cohort 7.

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Dr. Sharene L. Dixon, Cluster Superintendent

Employment:

2023-Present           Assistant Superintendent / Instructional Superintendent,
                                       San Antonio Independent School District, Texas

2024-Present           Lecturer, University of Texas at San Antonio

2018-2023               Principal, San Antonio Independent School District, Texas

2016-2018               Assistant Principal and Associate Principal, San Antonio Independent School District,
          Texas and South San Antonio Independent School District, Texas

2011-2016               Co-Executive Director, Educator Effectiveness Process, San Antonio, Texas

2013-2014               Program Manager, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Pittsburgh, Pa.

2011-2013               Executive Expert Teacher Leader, Educator Effectiveness Process, San Antonio, Texas

2010-2012              Professor, University of Phoenix, Virtual

2010-2011              GED Teacher, North East Independent School District, Texas

2008-2011              Manager, Team Blair Incorporated, San Antonio, Texas

2003-2009              English Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, Va.

1999-2003              English Teacher, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Oxon Hill, Md.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in English – Robert Morris University
Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction Design – Walden University
Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership – University of Texas at San Antonio

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Megan L. Hathaway, Principal, Lanier Middle School

GCPS Employment:

2019-Present           Assistant Principal, Duluth High School

2015-2019               Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair, Discovery High School

2012-2015               Social Studies Teacher and Team Lead, Meadowcreek High School

Other Employment:

2012                        SURE Community Organizer Fellow, Sarasota, Fl.

2010-2012              Perry Choice Neighborhood Educational Pipeline Associate, Buffalo, N.Y.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Sociology – Bucknell University
Master’s degree in Urban Planning  – University at Buffalo

Hathaway is a graduate of the 2025 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 18.