The Pahara Institute announced today the Winter 2020 Pahara-NextGen Fellowship cohort. These 23 leaders have been recognized for their outstanding leadership and the role they each play in shaping the future of equity and excellence in education.
“At such a critical moment in this country and in our work, leaders who bring vision, expertise, and an equity lens are essential,” said Kim Smith, CEO of Pahara. “The Fellows in the latest cohort of Pahara-NextGen exemplify these traits and we are excited to welcome them into the Pahara community.”
“Values-centered leadership is needed now more than ever in the education field,” said Idrissa Simmonds-Nastili, Vice President of Pahara. “We are thrilled to welcome another cohort of fierce leaders who lead not only with great skill and vision, but with heart and intentionality.”
Now in its fifth year of operation, the Pahara-NextGen Fellowship is a space of affinity, critical reflection, and professional growth for leaders underrepresented in senior seats. These leaders are strengthening and shaping the future of the educational excellence and equity movement.
Field-wide efforts towards excellence and equity in American education are at a critical juncture. As this work evolves, it is essential to amplify the work of leaders who bring diverse voices and perspectives to the movement, particularly those who represent communities that are currently not well served by our public schools. By identifying underrepresented individuals and allies who are making significant contributions to the field of education, and providing these leaders with high-level leadership development and a supportive network, Pahara-NextGen aims to strengthen the field as a whole.
Pahara is thrilled to welcome this cohort of talented Fellows:
Veronica Brooks-Uy, Policy Director, National Association of Charter School Authorizers
Viridiana Carrizales, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, ImmSchools
Peng Chao, Executive Director, Charter Schools Office, School District of Philadelphia
Janine Chen, Vice President of People Operations, Swing Education
Kimberly Díaz, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, oneTILT
Ebonie Durham, Senior Director of Network Operations, Noble Network of Charter Schools
Duanecia Evans, Chief of Staff, Teach For America – DC Region
Jonathan Garcia, Chief Engagement Officer, Portland Public Schools
Larry Irvin, Chief Executive Officer, Brothers Empowered to Teach
Derrick Johnson, Director, School Launch & Incubation, CityBridge Education
Elizabeth Kesner, People + Operations Leadership Consultant, Umoja Student Development Corporation
Ben Lewis, Principal, STRIVE Preparatory Schools
Ana Martinez, Chief of Staff, Aspire Public Schools
Cristina Muñoz, Senior Consultant, Education First
Elliott Nguyen, Vice President of New Region & School Launch, IDEA Public Schools
Jorge Ochoa, Senior Director of College Programming, Wonderful College Prep Academy
Paul Ramirez, Head of School, Freire Charter School Wilmington
Evin Floyd Robinson, President, America On Tech
Virgil Sheppard, National School Partnerships Director, City Year, Inc.
Taylor Stewart, Senior Director, Regional Impact, Leadership for Educational Equity
Karla Vigil, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Equity Institute
Thomas Witherspoon, Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion, Whitman College
Andrea Wolfe, Managing Director of School Improvement, Mass Insight Education and Research
For more detailed biographies of these Pahara-NextGen Fellows, click here.