California IT in Education (CITE) Announces New Executive Director
California IT in Education (CITE) Announces New Executive Director
CITE (California IT in Education), the leading organization supporting the State’s K-12 education’s Information Technology (IT) professionals, announces a leadership transition. Andrea Bennett, the organization’s first Executive Director, is stepping down after 20 years. Laurel Nava will step into the role, following several years leading CITE as Director of Education Programs & Events and most recently serving as Deputy Executive Director.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend our deepest gratitude to Andrea Bennett for her visionary and purpose-driven leadership,” said Maggie Bunten, President of the CITE Board of Directors. “Andrea didn’t just build an organization, she built a community rooted in service. Her unwavering focus on what is best for our members, their students, and the communities they serve has shaped every part of CITE’s growth. Her legacy is not only in the numbers, but in the impact felt in classrooms and districts across California.”
Andrea Bennett was first introduced to CITE as a vendor supporting Student Information Systems before becoming a member while working in Northern California school districts. What began as professional involvement quickly grew into a deep commitment to CITE’s mission and community. After serving on the Board of Directors, Andrea became CITE’s first staff member and founding Executive Director in 2006.
Over the past two decades, Andrea has been instrumental in building CITE into the statewide organization it is today, growing membership from several hundred to more than 3,000 and, more importantly, shaping a community grounded in service to others. Her leadership consistently centered on what matters most: supporting members, strengthening the work of IT professionals, and ultimately improving outcomes for students and the communities they serve. She championed collaboration, elevated the voice of education technology leaders, and ensured CITE remained focused on practical impact in schools across California.
“CITE has always been about people - learning from one another, supporting one another, and working together to improve outcomes for students,” said Andrea. “I am incredibly proud of what this community has built and confident in CITE’s future under Laurel’s leadership.”
The CITE Board of Directors engaged in an intentional succession planning process over the past year to ensure a smooth transition. Laurel Nava has more than two decades of experience in organizational development, public policy, and education programs. Prior to joining CITE, she served as a Program Associate at the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd, supporting California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and local education agencies.
As Executive Director, Laurel will continue advancing CITE’s mission to lead, develop, and support technologists and education organizations to inspire student success.
Laurel sees a clear path forward - “CITE will continue to serve our members as they tackle the ever‑changing realities of IT in education - from strengthening infrastructure and improving cybersecurity to protecting student data privacy and navigating the growth of artificial intelligence,”
About CITE
CITE (California IT in Education) is a nonprofit membership association supporting IT professionals working in K–12 education. CITE provides advocacy, professional learning, resources, and a strong community to help members lead technology initiatives that support student success. www.CITE.org.
Press Contact:
Andrea Bennett
Executive Director