Driven by Purpose, Grounded in PIC: The Resilient Leadership of Dr. Billy Thompson

Billy Thompson has always had a way of showing up exactly when people need him most. During his time in PIC’s 2022 Fellowship, he became known for his quiet but powerful presence—the kind of leader who didn’t speak often, but when he did, it felt like the room paused to listen. His reflections were thoughtful, deeply grounded, and always connected to the heart of the work. It’s no wonder his cohort selected him for the Inspiration Award.
When Billy joined PIC, he was leading the Inspired Vision Academy Secondary campus at A+ Charter Schools. Though he had been a school leader for several years, he was still navigating a campus with high turnover and few traditions to anchor its culture. He entered the fellowship searching for a way to create something lasting, but wasn’t quite sure what that would be.

Initially, he considered focusing his design project on the experiences of Black male students at his school. But it was through PIC’s empathy-centered design approach—shadowing a student for the day—that something shifted. At lunch, he witnessed a student quietly collecting leftover food from classmates. The student hadn’t eaten enough the night before. In that moment, Billy rediscovered something he’d already noticed but hadn’t fully confronted: his campus had a “food problem.”

“Though I was aware of this problem, it was not at the forefront of my thinking for the design project. It was only after following one student throughout his day for empathy that I rediscovered the ‘food problem."
— Billy Thompson, 2022 Cohort PIC Alumn

That realization sparked The Eagles Nest Market, a campus food pantry launched at Inspired Vision Academy to support students and families in need.

Even after he was transitioned out of the principal role and into a central office position, Billy stayed committed to bringing the pantry to life. He worked in partnership with the new school leader, building trust, earning buy-in, and supporting from behind the scenes. The pantry still operates today serving more families now than when it first launched.

“I started to learn that leadership is about helping others see the vision and want to be part of it,” Billy says. “That’s when real change happens.”

Now, as the principal of ECI Academy’s Sunnyvale campus in Pleasant Grove, Billy is right back where he feels most at home, leading a school community. He credits PIC with giving him the perspective and space to find his way back.

“PIC helped me realize my impact wasn’t finished,” he reflects. “And now I get to show up every day and lead in a way that feels authentic to me.”

​We’re proud to have Billy in the PIC alumni family and can’t wait to see how he continues to lead with clarity, compassion, and the kind of quiet strength that moves people to action.