Richard Culatta is a renowned learning innovator and tech futurist. He is the CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving learning opportunities worldwide through technology. Culatta has also served as the first Chief Innovation Officer for Rhode Island, where he gained national recognition for his pioneering strategies in using technology to enhance government responsiveness and collaboration. Appointed by President Obama, Culatta was the Executive Director of the Office of Educational Technology for the US Department of Education. In this role, he focused on expanding internet connectivity in schools nationwide and developed a national ed-tech plan to promote equitable and engaging learning. Culatta has also been instrumental in fostering partnerships between the tech industry and the Department of Education to address challenging issues, such as redesigning testing and learning materials. He has authored the book "Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World" which explores the challenges of preparing young people for virtual spaces and presents a path towards a healthier and more civil digital future. Culatta holds degrees in humanities and instructional technology from Brigham Young University and serves in various senior positions, including a senior fellow at NYU's GovLab, design resident for IDEO, and Innovation Dean for the Masie Learning Collaborative. He is a sought-after speaker on topics such as preparing the next generation for success in a digital world, innovating in complex systems, and transforming organizational learning.