Richard Culatta

Richard Culatta is an internationally recognized learning innovator and tech futurist. As the CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), he focuses on supporting education changemakers to create innovative, inclusive, and equitable learning environments globally.

Prior to his role at ISTE, Culatta served as the first Chief Innovation Officer for the State of Rhode Island. In this capacity, he not only led initiatives to make Rhode Island the first state to offer computer science in every K-12 school but also pioneered the state's vision for personalized learning. His efforts extended to leading learning innovation at the CIA and working as a designer at IDEO, where he specialized in integrating technology into education to enhance accessibility and equity.

Culatta was appointed by President Obama as the Executive Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. He spearheaded significant projects to expand connectivity to schools nationwide, promote personalized learning, and develop the National Education Technology Plan. His innovative approach included orchestrating collaborations between the Department, education leaders, and technology developers, notably involving top game designers to rethink assessment design at a White House event. Additionally, he has been a key figure in exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing human capabilities, particularly within educational settings.

An accomplished author, Culatta wrote "Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World," published by Harvard Business Review Press. The book addresses the challenges of preparing young people to be effective in digital spaces and proposes strategies for fostering a healthier digital environment. His keynote addresses frequently cover topics such as digital citizenship, the impact of AI on education and the workplace, and innovating in complex systems.

Culatta's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Spanish teaching and a master's degree in educational psychology and technology, both from Brigham Young University. His career began in the classroom as a high school teacher, which laid the foundation for his ongoing commitment to transformative education through innovation and technology.