Elizabeth Marie Freas highlights equity-driven leadership in education tech

Elizabeth Marie Freas, an executive counselor and founder of Freas Forward LLC in Buffalo, New York, is using more than 25 years in public education and 15 years in edtech leadership to advise school and higher education leaders. Her work centers on strategic planning, systems thinking, and leadership development as schools navigate staffing pressure, technology change, and AI.

Why it matters: - Elizabeth Marie Freas is focused on how education leaders can manage staffing shortages, technology change, and leadership development at the same time. - Her work sits at the intersection of K-12, higher education, and educational technology, where strategic decisions can affect instruction, operations, and equity. - Freas Forward LLC is built around helping leaders move from planning to execution with practical frameworks.

What happened: - Elizabeth Freas was profiled by Influential Women as an executive counselor and founder of Freas Forward LLC. - Freas brings more than 25 years of experience in public education and more than 15 years in educational technology leadership. - She started as a classroom teacher and moved into building leader, director, and assistant superintendent roles. - Freas now works with Info-Tech Research Group, supporting CIOs and technology leaders in K-12 and higher education. - She also founded Freas Forward LLC to support leaders in education and technology.

The details: - Freas Forward LLC focuses on strategic planning for education leaders. - The firm emphasizes clarity, alignment, and actionable frameworks. - Freas's goal is to help institutions move from vision to execution while building leadership capacity. - She earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy in 2019. - Freas also holds two master's degrees in Educational Leadership and Special Education. - She is certified in New York as both a K-12 teacher and administrator. - In 2025, Freas published The Female Framework, a book about her experiences leading in education and technology. - The book reflects her focus on equity and on helping women and emerging leaders build confidence, resilience, and clarity. - Freas serves on the boards of ErieNet and the Academy for Human Rights, where she is a past president. - She is also involved with the New York State Association of Women Administrators. - Her profile includes links to her Influential Women page and her website.

Between the lines: - Freas's background suggests a leadership style built on both academic training and hands-on school system experience. - Her emphasis on resilience, direct communication, and self-advocacy points to a view that leadership development is as much about mindset as strategy. - Her comments on AI and other technology shifts reflect a broader pressure point for schools that must adapt without losing focus on teaching and staffing. - Her board work and women-focused leadership advocacy reinforce a consistent theme of equity across her professional roles.

What's next: - Freas is likely to continue advising education and technology leaders as schools adjust to AI, changing operational demands, and persistent recruitment challenges. - Freas Forward LLC appears positioned to expand its strategy and planning support for institutions seeking long-term growth. - Her public-facing work as an author, speaker, and executive counselor suggests continued emphasis on leadership development for women and emerging leaders.

The bottom line: - Elizabeth Marie Freas is building a career around one message: education leaders need clear strategy, resilient leadership, and thoughtful technology adoption to stay effective.