Meili Powell (she/her) is the assistant director of advocacy and engagement for EdTrust-Tennessee, where she leads a team who builds strategic partnerships, supports collective advocacy through the TN Alliance for Equity in Education (85+ partners) and oversees youth and government affairs initiatives. Previously, Meili worked in Memphis as an elementary school educator and literacy coach. Meili was born in China, and grew up in Seattle, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and family studies and history from the University of Washington. She also holds a master’s degree in public policy from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.