Jason Callahan

Jason Callahan is the Executive Vice President, Cross Systems Consulting and leads capacity-building efforts for state systems change to improve outcomes for young people across education, workforce development, human services, child welfare, and juvenile justice.  

Prior to joining the Forum, Callahan served as the Assistant Secretary of Student Pathways and Opportunities, at the Indiana Department of Education.  While at Indiana Department of Education, he led the implementation of the state’s first PK-Career Data Dashboard, the state’s first longitudinal data infrastructure that captures clear outcome goals for the K-12 education system. He led the reorganization of five offices at the state education agency, integrating school accountability, school support and transformation and the ESEA Title programs, including Title I, which serves low-income students.  Through this reorganization, the alignment allowed for the development of high-quality work-based learning experiences, credentials of value and additional community support services to improve the outcomes for students.  

Callahan also led the National Governor’s Association’s Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeships, as a lead state agency, drawing from his experience in Indiana that led to increased youth apprenticeship opportunities. 

Callahan started his career as an English teacher before serving as Superintendent of Wabash City Schools for nearly a decade, served on the Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet and as the Chair of the Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne Regional Board of Trustees. He earned his B.S. in English, Master’s in Administrative Education, and Ed.S at Ball State University.