Our executive team meets regularly to discuss organization-wide issues, set programmatic and operational direction, and ensure the high quality of services and programs. They work together to provide forward-thinking leadership for our organization to best serve students, schools, and educators from across our region and beyond.
Executive Biographies
District Superintendent
Lauren J. Gemmill is a highly respected educational leader who has made significant contributions to the field of education throughout her career. Gemmill began her journey with the Capital Region BOCES team in 2019 and quickly rose to prominence as the deputy district superintendent. In this role, Gemmill played a crucial part in advancing the organization’s instructional and operational achievements.
As deputy district superintendent, Gemmill provided oversight for BOCES’ special education and career and technical education programs. She also supported the BOCES Educational Support Services division and collaborated closely with the 23 component school districts and their leadership teams.
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gemmill played a pivotal role in leading BOCES’ efforts to support students. She spearheaded the development of Essential Ed, an online curriculum resource designed to facilitate virtual or hybrid learning models. The resource, created by a team of dedicated teachers and leaders, was made available to districts nationwide, benefiting more than 80,000 educators and leaders to date.
Gemmill’s dedication to ensuring access to quality education led her to collaborate with BOCES leaders and staff to establish the Cooperative Virtual Learning Academy (CVLA). This K-12 virtual school was created during the pandemic to support students who could not attend traditional schools due to health concerns. The success of the CVLA has extended beyond the pandemic, and continues to serve students from throughout New York.
As superintendent, Gemmill continues to support teaching and learning across New York State. In this role, she now also focuses on state-level responsibilities, such as assisting the education commissioner with implementing statewide initiatives, overseeing the administration of state grants, and working with the regional information center on data warehousing, testing, and regional planning.
Before joining the BOCES, Gemmill served as assistant superintendent for instruction for the Niskayuna Central School District, where she also served for six years as a building principal. During her time there, Gemmill introduced a program review process to continually update and modernize academic programs.
Gemmill’s career in education began as the K-5 academic administrator for ELA and social studies in the Shenendehowa Central School District.
Gemmill is a member of the New York State Association for Women in Administration (NYSAWA). As a state board member and conference chair, she actively supports women leaders through coaching, mentoring, and sponsorship, striving to create more opportunities and promote gender equality within the field of education.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in reading, and a certificate of advanced studies in educational administration and policy studies from the University at Albany.
Deputy District Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Elizabeth Wood is a highly regarded educational leader who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as Deputy District Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer at Capital Region BOCES. With an illustrious career in education spanning several decades, Dr. Wood has a deep commitment to educational excellence and a track record of effective leadership.
Dr. Wood played a pivotal role in her prior position as Deputy Superintendent at Shenendehowa Central School District. Dr. Wood’s strong leadership skills, dedication to academic excellence, and fiscal responsibility were evident in her management of instructional budgets, expansion of programming options for students, and in her contributions to successful contract negotiations with teacher and administrative bargaining units.
Previously, as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment with the Shenendehowa district, she shaped instructional programs across grade levels. Her leadership led to the seamless integration of technology in classrooms, comprehensive professional learning for educators and equitable staffing to meet student needs.
Dr. Wood also served as Principal of Shenendehowa’s Shatekon Elementary School, and began her career in education as a social studies teacher, associate principal, and principal in the South Colonie Central School District.
Dr. Wood is an active member of various educational and healthcare boards and committees including the New York State Association for Women in Administration (NYSAWA), New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), Saratoga Hospital, and Albany Med Health System.
Recognized for her outstanding contributions to district leadership and educational administration, Dr. Wood has received prestigious awards such as the Capital Area School Development Association Excellence in District Leadership and the New York Library Association Secondary Administrator’s Award.
Dr. Wood holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership, a master’s degree in teaching and a bachelor’s degree in history.