Technology is changing how students learn and how people work. This fall, education and business leaders from across Northeast Florida will gather to chart a path towards a future where students are equipped to thrive in the rapidly evolving workforce.

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), in partnership with presenting sponsor Community First Credit Union, will host its fifth biennial EDTalks on Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown. The event brings together hundreds of educators, business leaders, and advocates to spark action around the most pressing issues in public education today.

This year’s program features keynote speaker Isabelle C. Hau, executive director of Stanford University’s Accelerator for Learning. A nationally recognized leader at the intersection of education and artificial intelligence, Hau will share groundbreaking insights into how schools and communities can adapt in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Chaired by community leaders Buck Williams and Mary Goldsmith, EDTalks 2025 will also shine a spotlight on local educators, students, and advocates who are already innovating in the classroom and beyond. Their stories will anchor the conversation in the realities of teaching and learning in Duval County in this new era.

Dr. Barbara Darby will also be honored as the Nina Waters Quality Education for All Champion. A trailblazing leader and lifelong advocate for public education, Dr. Darby’s legacy in Jacksonville is extraordinary. As the former President of Florida State College at the North Campus and Nassau Center, she led for nearly two decades with vision and impact—expanding access to workforce-aligned degree programs and creating life-changing opportunities for students across our region.

Since its inception, EDTalks has catalyzed collaboration between education and business sectors, fueling investment in student achievement, teacher leadership, and educational opportunity. This year promises to continue that legacy, driving forward solutions to ensure Jacksonville’s students are equipped for our community’s future. Tickets and sponsorships are now available at jaxpef.org/edtalks.