It is with sadness and gratitude that we announce that Jeff Hudson stepped down from the the Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA)’s Board of Directors in May 2025. At the same time, we are excited to welcome two new board members: Cheryl Dong and Julianna Hanlon!
Thank you for your service, Jeff!
We are deeply grateful to Jeffrey Hudson for more than 15 years of dedicated service to IEA including his leadership as a board member and Chairman of the Board. Jeff’s steady guidance, openness to new ideas, and enduring commitment to IEA’s mission have been instrumental in shaping the organization’s growth. His inspiring collaborative spirit and belief in the potential of young people have left a lasting impact on our staff, families and the gifted students we serve.
Jeff is an accomplished operations and project management professional whose career spans over two decades across engineering, entertainment, and education sectors. Most recently, he served as Director of Operations for the California office of Celtic Engineering, Inc. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at TMT International Observatory, LLC—an independent Caltech laboratory—as well as at Walt Disney Imagineering, The Walt Disney Company, and Disney Entertainment.
Jeff brought to IEA a deep well of experience in finance, human resources and large-scale project management. His strategic thinking and dedication to innovation earned him the respect not only of colleagues across industries but also of his fellow board members and the IEA staff.
As Jeff concludes his term on the IEA Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt thanks for his many years of service and leadership. We wish Jeff, his wife Krystiel and their son Turner many more exciting adventures ahead and continued success in all future endeavors.
Welcome, Cheryl!
A seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience guiding global business transformations across a wide range of industries including finance, healthcare, logistics and consulting, Cheryl Dong brings strategic insight and a deep appreciation for the power of community.
She currently serves as Program Manager and Assistant Vice President at Capital Group, where she leads large-scale initiatives focused on innovation, efficiency and impact. While much of her career has centered on creating new revenue streams and scaling operations, Cheryl is most inspired by helping others see possibility in change and empowering individuals to recognize their unique potential.
Originally from China, Cheryl holds degrees from Zhejiang University, the University of Nebraska, and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine. As the parent of a Yunasa and Caroline D. Bradley Scholar alumna, she understands both the joys and challenges of raising a gifted child. She and her husband, Tony Qian, have been part of the IEA community for many years and are deeply grateful for the role IEA has played in their daughter Annie’s journey.
With a heart for education and a strong desire to serve, Cheryl is excited to give back by supporting IEA’s mission. She looks forward to expanding alumni engagement and helping strengthen the IEA community for future generations of gifted learners. We are honored to welcome her to the Board.
Welcome, Julianna!
Julianna Hanlon is a seasoned litigation attorney licensed in Massachusetts with nearly a decade of experience advising clients across a range of legal matters, including mediation, trial and negotiated settlements. She has served both as in-house counsel and as a law firm associate, with a focus on healthcare, real estate, construction and business disputes. As managing counsel, she has provided strategic legal and compliance guidance to healthcare executives, including the president of a local hospital. Julianna currently serves on the Melrose Zoning Board of Appeals and the Melrose Human Rights Commission, and holds leadership roles with the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Boston Bar Association.
A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and Simmons College, she brings to IEA a thoughtful, analytical perspective and a passion for supporting mission-driven organizations. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, painting and exploring the outdoors through hiking and triathlons.
Julianna is excited to serve on IEA’s Board to help champion the needs of gifted children and youth, and to raise awareness around the importance of advocacy and specialized support for this exceptional population.