A thought leader is a person or group of people espousing ideas that influence the thinking and actions of many others. National media have recently featuredsome prominent thought leaders in education. Davis Guggenheim’s documentary “Waiting for Superman” and the related coverage of education included panels, specials, and talk show interviews. It’s not surprising to see Michelle Rhee or Geoffrey Canada speaking with passion about what needs to happen in education — this is their field of expertise. But when Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey focus their attention on education, they reach a wider audience. One of Learning Forward’s strategic priorities is to engage thought leaders.The organization’s rationale for this priority is that “educators are influenced by individuals and organizations with whom they have ongoing and