4th Annual John E. Bassett Symposium

Learn about our Speakers:

Ricardo Tapia - Basurto
Ricardo is the Community Engagement Specialist in Worcester's Division of Youth Opportunities.

A multi-time champion at university, state, and national debate competitions in his native Mexico, he has taught courses and classes across public and private institutions and published the book "Winning Profile: Gender Inequalities in the Youth Public Deliberation Contest of Mexico City" published by the Mexico City Electoral Institute.

Ricardo has worked as an Advisor in the Office of the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, supported communication teams for various state governments through a political communication agency, served at the Williamsburg Public Library, and contributed to the City of Asheville as a Language Accessibility and Communications and Public Engagement Specialist for the City of Asheville.

He loves riding his bike around the city and meeting new people.

Dr. De’Shawn C. Washington
Dr. De’Shawn C. Washington is an award-winning educator, executive leader, professor, and social entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of education, financial literacy, educator development, and systems change. He serves as Coordinator of the Pathways to Teaching Program and Adjunct Professor at Bay Path University, where he helps strengthen pathways into the teaching profession and supports the development of aspiring educators. Dr. Washington was named the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, becoming the first Black male educator in the Commonwealth’s history to receive the honor. He earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in K–12 Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, complementing more than a decade of experience spanning K–12 education, higher education, research, policy, and organizational leadership.

Dr. Washington is the Founder and President of Cultivating Changemakers, LLC and Co-Founder of The Cultivating Changemakers Institute™, organizations advancing financial literacy, educator capacity, and educational opportunity through curriculum, professional learning, research, advocacy, and cross-sector partnerships. His leadership has extended from classrooms and universities to state and national platforms, where he champions stronger literacy systems, a more diverse and sustainable educator workforce, and equitable access to high-quality financial education. An author, TEDx speaker, and nationally engaged education leader, Dr. Washington brings together the perspectives of an educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and policy advocate to build sustainable systems that equip students, educators, and communities to thrive.

Lisa Lazare
Lisa Lazare is a nonprofit executive, education policy strategist, and former chemistry teacher committed to ensuring educators shape the policies affecting their classrooms and communities. As the former executive director of a statewide education advocacy organization, she led advocacy, fundraising, organizational strategy, and educator engagement while growing a network of more than 5,000 educators. Earlier in her career, Lisa served as a Public School Monitoring Specialist at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, supporting district accountability and compliance efforts across the Commonwealth. She also designed and led the Massachusetts Educator Collective for Change, a statewide fellowship preparing teachers to influence education policy. Lisa is a MassINC Greg Torres Senior Fellow researching equitable STEM education and workforce pathways. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she brings a global, equity-centered perspective to building inclusive, educator-led movements and systems.


Jessica Mandes
Jessica Mandes is a proud "Newyorican", born in The Bronx, who was raised and shaped into a leader in Worcester, Massachusetts. A first-generation college graduate, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Fitchburg State University and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from Endicott College, where she also earned her Administrator’s license through the Urban Principals Development Program.

With over 25 years of experience in youth work, more than 15 of those in public education across three districts and two states, Jessica brings deep insight into the challenges and strengths of urban school systems. She began her career as a tutor at the Great Brook Valley Homework Center and has remained passionate about empowering students and fostering community through education.

Today, Jessica serves as the Director of Multilingual Education and sits on the board of Worcester Latino Dollars for Scholars. Grounded in her Puerto Rican heritage, she leverages her native Spanish-speaking ability and bicultural perspective to authentically connect with and advocate for Latinx and under-represented communities.

Outside of her professional work, Jessica is a devoted mother to two daughters. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with her village of close friends and family, and occasionally dancing salsa with a broomstick while cleaning her house.