Caroline leads the Leadership Development & Design team, responsible for designing world-class civic leadership development programs, workshops and courses that inspire LEE members to investigate their values, articulate their theory of change and deepen their leadership impact. 

For the past twenty years, Caroline has been working as a designer, facilitator and evaluator of civic leadership development programs, helping to connect leaders to the skills, tools and networks needed to make change in their communities.  Prior to LEE, she worked at the Center for Progressive Leadership, building statewide leadership development programs and growing the political leadership of hundreds of leaders across the country. She received her BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan and earned her Master’s of Public Administration, from Michigan State University. Caroline lives in Denver, CO with her husband and three sons. Outside of work, she can be found watching her kids’ sports, experimenting with recipes in her kitchen or planning her family’s next big adventure. 

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders? 

There is no one size fits all for leadership. Authentic leaders draw on their backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to make change and they are found in all corners of our country. As a woman, for too long I saw too few models of civic leaders that looked like me and for people of color and other underrepresented communities the models are even fewer. Growing this movement is about expanding possibilities and changing the face of power.

Cassie leads the Policy, Advocacy, and Organizing team, responsible for building the pipeline of leaders working in policy & advocacy, as well as supporting the development of LEE members’ skills to organize community-based people power and impact policy.

A lawyer by trade, and still a teacher at heart, Cassie’s experience in policy spans local and state government in areas including federal programs, alternative education, and school choice. She holds a BA in Religious Studies from Centre College, a M.Ed in Elementary Education from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville. Cassie has served as an elementary teacher, felony prosecutor, policy advisor with the Kentucky Department of Education, and Executive Administrator of School Choice for Jefferson County Public Schools, the largest urban school district in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She is licensed to practice law. 

When she’s not working, you can find her camping and hiking with her amazing husband and daughter, crafting and selling crochet plants at local art fairs with friends, playing the flute or piccolo in a local wind ensemble, or leading a Troop of Girl Scouts. Cassie has been known to book late night plane tickets for next day travel because life is short, and she wants to see everything!

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

Seats of power that influence our lives and the lives of those in our community need to be won by equity-minded, diverse leaders. It’s only when we have a robust community of those leaders, coast-to-coast, that broken laws and policies can be changed for the benefit of all. I am in this work to ensure that when one of those seats of power in policy, advocacy, or organizing opens, or when there is a need to push for change, our members have what they need to feel empowered to take that seat and make that change.

Michael leads the organization, responsible for LEE’s overall strategy and impact. 

Prior to joining LEE, Mike was a partner in the New York office of McKinsey & Co., where he was a leader in the financial institutions practice focusing on insurance and asset management. He has also worked with various education organizations throughout New York City.

Mike is a graduate of Michigan State University and the New York University Stern School of Business.

Mike lives in New York City with his three children. 

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

I believe deeply that opportunity in America is governed by the laws created by our civic leaders. Today, opportunity in America isn’t distributed equitably or fairly. I imagine a growing movement of equity oriented, diverse leaders creating new laws to enable new opportunities for more children and families.

Marcus and the Regional Impact team are responsible for helping LEE members across the country engage with LEE’s civic leadership development skill building supports and resources, connect with our incredible network of leaders, and to take action in their communities. 

Marcus has been at LEE for seven years serving in several capacities, including: Director of Houston Impact, Senior Director of Regional Impact, and Chief of Staff to the Executive Director. He has directly engaged over 700 LEE members through one-on-one coaching and group leadership development training during this time. 

Marcus became an educator after graduating with a degree in government from The University of Texas at Austin by joining Teach For America. He spent eight years with KIPP teaching primary school in Houston, New Orleans, and Chicago. He currently lives in New York City, but calls El Paso, Texas home. 

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?”

I have experienced first hand the impact of inequitable laws that were written to limit my human rights based on my identity and to limit the opportunities of my family, neighbors, and students based on where they were born or where they grew up. This work is personal and urgent. Change will come when more equity minded leaders can develop the skills needed to change laws and policies for kids and communities.

Courtney supports LEE’s member impact work across the regional and national impact teams. Additionally, she leads our external relationship management in support of the Office of the President. 

After obtaining a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Virginia, Courtney began her career as a third grade teacher in an under-resourced school in rural North Carolina. Fueled by experiences with her students, she has committed her career to equity. She subsequently worked for several years at Teach for America before obtaining her Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Courtney has also worked as a Medical Social Worker and Director of Talent Acquisition. Born and raised in VA, she now calls Charlotte, NC home where she enjoys attending Elevation Church and catching Off-Broadway shows at the theater. Courtney is also a passionate birthworker who is a trained doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator.  

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

My former students, my godsons and my future babies deserve better. One way to ensure that our country is a better place is by cultivating a diverse movement of equity minded leaders, who fight daily for better laws and policies. My babies also deserve to see leaders who look like them, because it is easier to be what you can see.

Steven leads the Technology team, responsible for imagining, developing, and sustaining innovative technologies that power the LEE network to create impact.

Prior to joining the LEE Leadership Team, Steven led the development of mission-critical systems and data science processes as LEE’s senior director of the Technology Innovation Laboratory. Before joining LEE, Steven led Innovation Teaching, an education technology startup that brought process automation using simple barcode scanning to schools across the globe.

In addition, Steven is a life-long advocate for the communities of the Bronx, NY — especially in the areas of educational equity, prison abolition, and policing reform. He is a former Borough president appointee to the Community Education Council for District 10, a former appointee to the Bronx and Brooklyn Taskforce on Gifted & Talented Education, and a former 3rd-grade teacher for the Bronx’s District 7.

Steven holds a Bachelor of Arts in Latino studies from Columbia University, a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, and a Master of Education from the City University of New York. He is the proud father of two geeks.

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

Growing up in the South Bronx during the 80s and 90s galvanized me to the importance of values and leadership. From the fight against medical waste incinerators and for affordable housing, to the Bronx school board scandals of the 1990s, to the lasting, multigenerational, impact of living in one of the most segregated neighborhoods has on one’s lifelong outcomes  – civic leaders who valued kids like me were too few, too ineffective, and too often powerless to improve our lives. Through years of my own policy, advocacy, direct service, and movement building work, it became clear that no individual would ever be enough. This was a problem that could only be tackled by growing a diverse movement of civic leaders to carry the burden and wonders of change together.

Christine leads the Legal and Compliance team, responsible for compliance and legal support across all of LEE’s work and affiliated entities.  Before joining LEE as the organization’s first full-time general counsel, Christine served on the Teach For America legal affairs team counseling the organization on tax-exempt organization law, contracts, lobbying, and compliance.  Prior to Teach For America, she served as the first general counsel at Victory Schools. 

Christine began her career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching third grade in the South Bronx. Christine serves her community as a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel NYC Chapter’s Women & Gender Committee and as an officer of her children’s public school PTA.

Christine holds an AB from the University of Georgia, an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education, and a JD from the Villanova University School of Law.

Sheri leads the Talent, Learning, & Culture team, responsible for the people strategy and experience of all LEE staff. 

Before joining LEE, Sheri led recruitment, hiring, evaluation, and staff retention efforts as chief talent officer at UP Education Network, a Boston-based school turnaround organization. She has also served as a senior consultant at American Institutes for Research and as director of teacher effectiveness for Chicago Public Schools. Sheri began her career as a Teach For America corps member in Washington, D.C., where she taught first and second grade. Sheri holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University, a Master of Arts in teaching from American University, and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago.

Sheri lives in the greater Boston area with her husband, two children, and her parents. On the weekends, you may find her visiting a good library, dragging the family on a walk in the woods or about town, or making (and eating) breakfast. 

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

As a talent leader, I believe deeply in people and their ability to envision new, better, and more equitable solutions to age-old problems. Our current laws and policies were designed by people with their own interests, biases, and needs, and can be redesigned. These invisible guardrails create benefits for some while limiting access and opportunities for others. I believe we must fight for equity-focused voices and perspectives in civic spaces, especially those who have been historically excluded from opportunity and power. Only then will we start to see lasting systems-level change.

Sarah leads the Partnerships & Infrastructure team, responsible for LEE’s growth strategy, strategic partnerships and scalable operations to drive the LEE network to impact.

Over the last two decades, Sarah has held a number of executive roles within the public, non-profit and profit sector, all in the service of building more power and access to opportunities for underserved communities.  Just prior to joining the LEE team, Sarah served as the Chief Operating Officer for Education First, an education policy and strategy consulting firm.  Sarah’s expertise in leading and building systems and building the capacity of leaders stems from her early career experiences: as the Special Assistant to the Superintendent of Baltimore City Public Schools, serving as the Chief of Staff for Teach for America’s Regional Operations, and as a community organizer and educator in Baltimore and Guatemala City. In addition to her doctorate from Harvard’s Ed.L.D. program, Sarah holds an M.A.T. from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Communications from Penn State.

Sarah lives in Baltimore, MD with Team McLean (her husband and 3 children).  She can be found most weekends coaching soccer, carting children to endless activities, swimming (when it’s warm enough) or skiing (when it’s cold enough), reading (mostly fiction) or visiting friends/family.

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

I live in a city where from one neighborhood to the next the life expectancy can increase or decrease by 20 years. There are systems, laws and policies intentionally preventing access to healthcare, quality education, affordable housing, fresh food, clean water and so much more. The compounding effect means literally 20 less years of life for young people and communities with endless potential. I believe deeply that it will take an army of values-driven, diverse leaders to fight purposefully and tirelessly for their community. I am a first-generation college student whose path has been forged through the sacrifice, love and investment of my family and incredible mentors. I was lucky in many ways, but it shouldn’t come down to luck. So, I have spent my professional career fighting to ensure all kids and communities have access to the same opportunities.

Mildred leads the organization, her responsibilities include ensuring LEE members have high quality member experiences across all leadership pathways. This includes high quality programming, supports and leadership development nationally and in local sites across the country. 

Before joining LEE, Mildred served as chief education counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions, where she managed the Senate majority’s education agenda, and its policy development and strategy for children from cradle to career including early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, higher education, and the workforce.

Mildred earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany and a Master of Social Work degree from the New York University Silver School of Social Work.  

As head of LEE’s Marketing & Communications team, Namrata connects members to our work towards creating equitable systems through diverse civic leadership. Namrata came to this work after 20+ years in the private and public sectors, working at the intersection of marketing and technology. Throughout her career, Namrata has focused on growth by centering the audience and bringing customers, partners, and stakeholders into the work in ways they find motivating. She has launched brands, built and implemented large-scale hospitality loyalty programs, and stood up centralized business systems. Namrata has honed her skills while working with brands such as Reed Elsevier, Expedia, Hilton Hotels, Meredith Publishing, and City Year. She has a B.A. from Rowan University and M.A. from Emerson College in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Based in Boston, she is a published author with novels that focus on issues of diaspora and identity. An avid traveler and reader, Namrata stays continuously curious. Her main passion is to understand how people are motivated to create a positive impact in our world. She hopes to leave the world better than it is now.

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

Representation matters. We live in a society of intersectional identities and we are impacted by rules and systems established by those who govern our communities, counties, states, and country. I’d like them to understand the lived experiences of diverse constituents as they decide what is enacted.

Taylor serves in the Office of the Executive Director, responsible for supporting LEE-wide major initiatives to ensure members attain high-impact roles and realize transformational change in their communities. She began her civic leadership development work teaching American Government to high school students in Baltimore. Following her teaching career, she worked in fundraising and development for Teach For America while organizing in her community and leading political campaigns in her spare time. The organizing and campaign work led her to LEE and founding the Maryland region, supporting regions across the country, and then leading the community organizing work. Taylor earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri, her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and her law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. 

Taylor lives in Baltimore with her husband and daughter and can typically be found following her sports teams, serving in organizations around the city, connecting with friends and family, exploring near or far, or enjoying a good book. 

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

As a society, we often say the lack of civic engagement is due to apathy when really it is a problem of feeling powerless. Every community has people who care deeply about their community, see things that need to change, and want to change them. I want my work to unlock the means to make change – especially for those who have experienced the injustice of inequity. 

Cristina supports the Partnerships and Infrastructure team, responsible for LEE’s growth strategy, strategic partnerships and scalable operations to drive the LEE network to impact. She does this by partnering with teams across the organization and by liaising with current and potential partners to enable the success of their members. 

Before joining LEE staff, Cristina was a LEE member for almost a decade building her own civic leadership as a preschool assistant teacher in New York City, as a high school math teacher in Las Vegas, NV, and as a community activist in her adopted community of Arlington, VA. In 2020, with LEE support, Cristina was elected to the Arlington School Board for a term beginning in January of 2021. Cristina serves as the Chair of the Board for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Professionally, Cristina was an education policy consultant supporting school districts, state education agencies, and education organizations across the country to improve student outcomes by creating evidence-based systems and policies. Her previous work also includes helping teachers in Puerto Rico get back to school in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.  Cristina is a graduate of New York University with dual majors in Economics and History and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas specializing in Secondary Mathematics. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and rescue pup and is an avid boxer.

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?

Simply put, because we need more equity-minded civic leaders everywhere. If you open any book or laws or policies in any community in this country, you will inevitably find systems that were designed designed to be exclusionary and to concentrate power and access amongst few.  We’re operating against the pull of centuries of political efforts that were coordinated and intentional. The movement to redesign these laws and policies is a relay race and we need more people who are ready to lead.

Carl leads the Elected Leadership team and is responsible for the organizational strategy to inspire, develop, and support members to run for and win elected office.  

After serving in the United States Army, Carl taught middle school civics and remedial literacy in central Phoenix. This foundational experience led Carl to seek systemic and policy solutions to address the injustices and inequity his students (and he himself) experienced. Carl ultimately ran for school board and led his school district as governing board president. Carl also led both volunteer and professional advocacy initiatives at the school district and state levels in order to give students better opportunities by increasing public education funding and improving educator and school quality. Carl joined LEE’s staff in 2012 and contributed to founding the Regional Impact team and building out LEE’s candidate recruitment efforts. Carl holds a Master of Business Administration from W.P. Carey School of Business, a Master of Arts in Middle East Studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Arizona State University. Carl lives in Oregon with his family and rescue dog. He loves the outdoors and training for endurance races. 

Why are you invested in growing a diverse movement of civic leaders?”

The issues we are dealing with are really complicated, so it’s important for all of us to work together and use our collective wisdom and leadership. When we include different viewpoints from diverse communities, our solutions become better and have a higher chance of working well for everyone. I am driven to encourage and help diverse leaders who will take on our big problems and drive policy change. Our children deserve this kind of leadership.