Meet The Team

Dr. Kevin O’Rorke is a driving force behind education and workforce development in Northern California. As the Chief Executive Officer of North State Together, he has been the architect of a regional movement that brings communities, industries, and educators together to create lasting impact. Since founding the collaborative in 2016, Kevin has championed a cradle-to-career approach, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and opportunities needed to sustain and grow the North State’s workforce. Under his leadership, North State Together has become a model for collective impact, transforming the way education and economic development align to support rural communities.

Kevin also serves as the Associate Superintendent of the Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Community College District, where he has been a dedicated leader since 2006. His work extends across all aspects of the district, from expanding programs and services to overseeing the Extended Education sites in Tehama, Trinity, Intermountain, and the Downtown Redding Community Leadership Center. An unwavering advocate for education at both the local and state levels, he continuously seeks innovative ways to strengthen access and opportunity for all students across the North State region.

A lifelong learner himself, Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Health, a master’s in Counseling, and a doctorate in Lifespan Developmental Psychology. He and his wife, Kate, have two bright, brave, and determined daughters ages 17 and 14.

Billy Miller is the Dean of Extended Education and North State Together at Shasta College. In addition to overseeing the Shasta College Tehama, Trinity, and Intermountain campuses, he is responsible for supervising operations at North State Together. As a Dean, his focus is to collaborate with colleagues across the Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District, and to leverage the regional and statewide partnerships established through North State Together to grow, advocate for, and ensure educational and training opportunities for community members throughout Far Northern California.

Billy has dedicated his career to improving equity, access, and economic mobility for diverse populations. He possesses over a decade of public service, regional leadership, director, and program management experience in the nonprofit and education sectors, and has contributed significantly to the promotion of collective impact in the North State. Billy joined Shasta College as an administrator in 2018, and since then has fostered student success in various capacities, including managing student service programs, directing enrollment services departments, and ensuring quality educational and workforce training opportunities for students throughout the region.

Billy is proud of his heritage and is passionate about serving students and communities. He firmly believes in the power of education to improve quality of life and believes everyone has the right to access it. Billy’s educational journey includes several years at West Valley Community College where he graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts. Afterwards, he transferred to California State University, Stanislaus, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Most recently, Billy graduated from Pennsylvania State University, earning a Master of Public Administration degree.

Billy lives in Redding, California with his wife, Vanessa. Together, they enjoy spending time with friends and family, loving their dogs, staying active, and serving their local church.

Corinne Ewing is the Director of Planning and Development for North State Together, a cradle-to-career collective impact partnership serving rural Northern California. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen educational and workforce pathways, fostering collaboration and innovation to support regional success.

Corinne began her educational journey at Shasta College, earning an Associate of Arts in Social Sciences before completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Simpson University. She later earned a Master of Science in Human Resources along with a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts.

Her career at Shasta College began in 2017 and advanced through a variety of roles in business services, human resources, and professional development. As Program Coordinator for Professional Development, she established a sustainable training and engagement framework, developed the Classified Leadership and New Employee Engagement Academies, and redesigned collegewide recognition and celebration programs. Her leadership in this area secured a two-year grant from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to advance culture-shifting initiatives in the post-pandemic workplace.

Beyond her work at Shasta College, Corinne also contributed statewide as conference coordinator for the California Community College Council for Professional Development (4CPD), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing professional growth across the system. These experiences reflect her longstanding commitment to employee advocacy, organizational leadership, and the creation of thriving workplace cultures.

Outside of her professional work, Corinne enjoys attending concerts, exploring nature, reading, and spending time with friends, family, and her canine companions, Mazikeen and Caliber.

Amy Speakman serves on a highly effective team that provides backbone support to North State Together’s county-based collective impact networks. A dedicated professional with a passion for enhancing educational outcomes along the cradle-to-career pathway, she brings over 25 years of experience in navigating and improving educational systems.

Amy understands the significance of forming strong partnerships to implement and sustain effective initiatives throughout the educational spectrum. As Director, she plays a vital role in facilitating communication across our region, ensuring the alignment of goals and strategies to enhance equitable access to education. Amy believes in the power of quality education to unlock a brighter future for our rural communities.

Amy has successfully led large grant initiatives, overseeing fiscal planning, resource allocation, and implementation to maximize impact. Her expertise in budget management and strategic planning guarantees the effective execution of educational programs and initiatives.

Amy resides in rural eastern Shasta County with her incredibly supportive husband, James, and their pack of rescue dogs. When not pursuing efforts to increase educational outcomes, she can be found training for a trail race or ultra marathon and advocating for shelter animals.

Andrew Fitzhugh is honored to serve as Program Director at North State Together, passionately supporting regional cradle-to-career collective impact networks. With a knack for analytics and financial management and a heartfelt dedication to student success at North State, Andrew brings a personal touch to drive organizational excellence.

Since joining North State Together in December 2022, Andrew has shown exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of the needs of the North State region. His journey began as a Program Coordinator, where he excelled in managing the K-16 Education grant and supporting the 10-county network. His effective management and strategic vision have proven invaluable.

Andrew embarked on his academic journey at Shasta College, earning an Associate of Arts in Business Administration and having the unique privilege of playing basketball for his father, Kele Fitzhugh. He continued his studies and basketball career at CSU, Maritime Academy, earning a Bachelor’s degree in International business and Logistics, and recently completed an MBA in Business Analytics from Southern Oregon University. These achievements underscore his desire for continual growth to support further the community he calls home.

When he’s not at work, Andrew enjoys spending quality time with his loyal dogs, watching sports, exploring the great outdoors, and most importantly, cherishing the warmth and laughter of his close-knit circle of friends and family in his hometown of Redding, CA.

James Crandall is a dynamic and visionary leader serving as the Regional Director of Data Strategies for a regional cradle to career collective impact partnership in rural far Northern California. With a passion for empowering communities and driving data-informed decision-making, James is dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

With a wealth of experience in data analysis and strategy, James brings a unique perspective to his role. He has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities and is committed to bridging the gap between data-driven insights and actionable solutions. James firmly believes that by harnessing the power of data, communities can identify and address the root causes of educational disparities, ultimately ensuring a brighter future for all.

Known for his exceptional analytical skills and innovative thinking, James is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. He is adept at transforming complex data into clear and compelling narratives that drive positive change. His ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, from educators to policymakers, makes him a trusted advisor and advocate for evidence-based decision-making.

Beyond his professional achievements, James is deeply invested in the community he serves. He actively collaborates with local organizations, government agencies, and community leaders to build sustainable partnerships that foster collective impact. By leveraging his extensive network, James ensures that diverse perspectives are heard and incorporated into the data strategies he develops.

James is a lifelong learner, always seeking new ways to deepen his understanding of data science and its application to social change. He has completed numerous professional development programs to stay at the forefront of his field. His commitment to ongoing growth and innovation enables him to tackle complex challenges with creativity and resilience.

Outside of work, James enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Northern California, fishing, golfing, and spending quality time with his family. His unwavering dedication to improving educational outcomes and fostering equitable opportunities has earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and community members alike.

Susan Schroth is the Director of the GRAD Partnership for North State Together, where she serves on a backbone team supporting a ten-county collective impact network in far northern California. North State Together’s mission is to advance the Cradle to Career objectives across the region, focusing on increasing educational and career attainment for residents of the North State.

With over 17 years of experience in education, Susan has committed her career to supporting local schools and communities. At Shasta College, she has contributed to the Office of Innovation, driving initiatives such as dual enrollment and ACE/BOLD programs. She has supported Career Technical Education and the math and science departments. Before Shasta College, Susan held various educational roles, including elementary school librarian, middle school registrar, and state/district testing coordinator. She also served six years as a board member for the Shasta Union Elementary School District, where she gained invaluable insights into California’s K-12 education system.

Susan is a graduate of Mills College in Oakland.  As a first-generation Chicana Graduate, Susan is passionate about supporting underrepresented and disadvantaged students.  She feels privileged to empower students and their families, helping them navigate academic and career success pathways.  Susan’s commitment to equity in education is informed by her own journey, and she takes pride in sharing her experiences to inspire others.

Susan is proud of her two sons’ educational milestones, both of whom earned their undergraduate degrees from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Residing in Redding with her husband, Susan enjoys sports (having played collegiate volleyball), outdoor activities like kayaking and abalone diving, and staying active through mountain biking and trail running with her dogs. She also enjoys reading and crafting.

Chloe Lopez serves as an Administrative Professional with North State Together, a collective impact organization dedicated to advancing educational success across the rural North State. In her role, Chloe provides essential administrative and organizational support, helping coordinate the collaborative efforts that drive the cradle-to-career mission forward.

Originally from a small rural town in Washington, Chloe brings a personal understanding of both the challenges and opportunities that come with growing up and being educated in a rural community. She joined North State Together in 2023 and is recognized for her positive problem-solving approach to her role in administrative support. Chloe is known for her strategic innovation in translating program goals into project deliverables, ensuring that the team’s vision is supported with efficiency and clarity. Her background includes experience as a substitute teacher, office assistant, and administrative professional in Shasta College’s Umoja program, where she supported student success and equity-focused initiatives. She also holds an Associate’s degree from Clark Community College and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento, where she was a student-athlete in Track and Field.

Outside of work, Chloe enjoys spending time with her husband and their three dogs. Together they love exploring the outdoors, especially hiking and kayaking, and she also enjoys taking on creative projects at home.

Diane Taylor serves in the role of Executive Assistant that is supporting Kevin O’Rorke and the North State Together team. Diane also oversees conference room coordination and allocated operations for the Community Leadership Center building.

Diane brings years of administrative-professional, office management and bookkeeping experience to the role, working in both education and private industry. Previously she was a manager for Driscoll’s, Inc. Nursery where her duties were managing both nursery packaging procurement and the nursery cold chain network.

After spending years working in the agriculture industry Diane is excited to be back working in the educational field. Diane brings 10+ years of experience working in education, most recently at the University of California, Davis in the Plant Biology department.

Prior to UC Davis, Diane worked for a small public school district working first at the elementary school, then at the high school level assisting the counselor and later managing the high school office.

As a single parent raising two daughters in the rural town of Arbuckle, Colusa County, Diane is very aware of the resources needed for rural schools.

Though working in a non-educational field was rewarding, it lacked the satisfaction of being part of the process to develop students on their path to successful lives. A desire to return to this atmosphere of student success is the reason Diane is grateful to be a part of the North State Together team.

When not supporting the team, Diane enjoys spending time with family (especially grandkids) in the outdoors, hiking and RV “glamping”.

Kate is Associate Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives at Shasta College and is also the Director of a new project called SCAILE (Shasta College Attainment and Innovation Lab for Equity). SCAILE has evolved from the work of North State Together, the Lumina Talent Hub and the Innovation Awards at Shasta College. Its goal is to create a place where policy, practice, inquiry and applied research come together to foster educational attainment and innovation and reduce equity gaps; with a spotlight on the changing dynamics of rural communities.

Kate has held leadership roles in K-12, Community College and the UC system and understands the importance of helping students and families navigate between educational sectors. She is recently returning from a two year assignment with the CCCCO where she worked with all community colleges in the north and far north to expand guided pathways and equity strategies at the local level. Kate has a master’s degree in Humanistic/Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from University of Southern California. Kate has worked in education for over 20 years with the focus on improving the educational pipeline, both access and outcomes; especially for underrepresented students and communities.