Washington, DC– Today, ILO Group, a proudly women-owned education strategy and policy firm, announced the appointment of two-time Olympic sailor Lara Dallman-Weiss as its first-ever Olympian-In-Residence. Dallman-Weiss will leverage her elite competitive experience and passion for leadership to provide unique insight and perspective to ILO Group partners across the country. Her role will focus on leadership, resilience, and the critical importance of wellness and mental well-being for education leaders.
“Lara brings a unique perspective to leadership, forged through years of dedication, resilience, and achievement as an Olympic athlete,” said Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, Founder and CEO of ILO Group. “Her insights on overcoming challenges, performing under pressure, and maintaining mental and physical well-being will be invaluable to the states and districts we support. Her unique ability to flourish in the brightest spotlight and lead without constraints adds yet another powerful differentiator to our work at ILO Group.”
Dallman-Weiss competed in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics as part of the U.S. Sailing Team and brings a deeply personal connection to education: her mother was a school social worker and special education coordinator, and her brother is a school social worker and special education supervisor.
“I am thrilled to be joining ILO Group to support its transformative work with education leaders across the country,” said Dallman-Weiss. “Growing up in public schools in Minnesota, I experienced firsthand the value of an excellent education and the dedication of educators. My work with ILO Group allows me to share lessons from my journey as an Olympian—how to thrive under pressure, prioritize wellness, and lead with purpose—to help those who are shaping the future of our schools.”
In her role as Olympian-In-Residence, Dallman-Weiss will engage with education leaders across the country, sharing strategies to navigate the demands of leadership and fostering a culture of wellness and resilience. Her work will advance ILO Group’s commitment to equipping education system leaders with the tools they need to create sustainable, impactful change.
To learn more about ILO Group and Lara Dallman-Weiss, visit www.ilogroup.com.
About Lara Dallman-Weiss
Lara Dallman-Weiss is a two-time Olympian in sailing, competing in the 470 class at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A recent Hall of Fame inductee and graduate of Eckerd College, Dallman-Weiss began her sailing career on the lakes of Minnesota and has since become a leading advocate for sustainability and mentorship for young women. She is passionate about using her platform to inspire others and create meaningful change.
About ILO Group
ILO Group was built on a simple, shared mission: to roll up our sleeves and do whatever it takes to support K-12 system leaders’ big bets – from continuing to respond to student needs exacerbated by the pandemic to supporting all students thriving as we look ahead.
A proudly women-owned education strategy and policy firm, ILO Group, stands for In the Life Of. We work side-by-side with the country’s leading educators, experts, and government partners to help solve the toughest challenges facing school systems and leaders today–because we’ve been in their shoes. With decades of collective experience, our seasoned team of consultants has supported many of the nation’s largest and highest-profile school systems and education-focused organizations.
Our clients span school districts, state education agencies and other government agencies, nonprofits, philanthropy, start ups, civic-minded businesses, and beyond. They all share one thing in common: an unwavering commitment to supporting our nation’s students and young people. Through our work, we have supported leaders serving 1 in 3 students in America.
About Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer
Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer is the Co-Founder and CEO of ILO Group, and the founder and CEO of Women Leading Ed, the largest national nonprofit network of women in education leadership. Dr. Rafal-Baer is a board member on the National Assessment Governing Board and a former New York State Department of Education Assistant Commissioner. A former special education teacher, Dr. Rafal-Baer holds a Master of Philosophy in Education Research and a Ph.D. focused on comparative education policy from the University of Cambridge, where she was a Marshall Scholar.