Catalyst:Ed

When effective leaders of color lead our schools, the impact is profound. School communities feel more connected, the most marginalized students feel safer, and recruitment and retention rates for teachers of color soar, and that’s only the beginning. Our latest project spotlight shows just how Harrison Peters and his team at MCEL (Men of Color in Educational Leadership) worked with Dr. Eric Hollinhead of Peak Leadership Services, LLC, to reimagine HR practices in schools to foster a culture of adaptability and inclusivity, ensuring that leaders of color have the tools they need to thrive.

Meet Jason Carter, our new VP of Growth! ?? Jason brings an incredible blend of experience in business development, engagement, and strategy from his work with the College Board and ETS and a background in finance from JPMorgan Chase. With a passion for equity in education, Jason is dedicated to expanding our reach to better serve historically underserved communities. Learn more about how Jason’s expertise will drive growth and impact at Catalyst:Ed: https://lnkd.in/ggTEz8jK

We’re thrilled to officially welcome two new board members to Catalyst:Ed! Nikhil Gehani, Managing Partner, Communications, at New Profit, and Elaine Lenore, CFO at Hively, joined our Board recently. Their experience and wisdom will be invaluable as we fuel up for our next stage of growth. Nikhil will help amplify our brand’s impact, leveraging his strategic vision to elevate our communications and storytelling. Elaine’s financial insights and commitment to equity will enhance our ability to deliver sustainable, impactful programs. We’re excited for the journey ahead with these new perspectives guiding us! Meet our entire board and team: https://lnkd.in/ekuEhB-H

Our team is excited to attend Power of Place this week, hosted by the William Julius Wilson Institute at the Harlem Children's Zone. This convening is an opportunity for our team to connect with cross-sector leaders dedicated to advancing social and economic mobility. We’re eager to strengthen our Place-Based Partnerships work, deepen community impact, and explore sustainable solutions that amplify every community's potential.

??As we broaden our reach beyond education to support place-based partnerships, we’re looking for talented individuals who are ready to drive transformative change in the social sector and are expanding our team with three new strategic roles! ??Finance Director – Shape our financial strategy and guide us through a pivotal period of growth. ??Engineering Lead/Manager – Lead the development of our new tech platform, creating scalable solutions to support mission-driven organizations. ??UI/UX Lead Designer – Design an impactful user experience that helps nonprofits and schools access the expertise they need. Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/eaCRW4xY

We’re thrilled to introduce the latest addition to the Catalyst:Ed team, Maya Dorsey, M.Ed, M.Edl, Partner, Place-Based Partnerships! ?? With over 25 years of experience across public health, K-12 education, and cradle-to-career sectors, Maya brings award-winning leadership and dedication to dismantling systemic barriers. In her new role, Maya will support our place-based partnership work, focusing on building strategic relationships, expanding opportunities, and transforming education systems to ensure equitable access. Her passion for social justice and advocacy aligns with Catalyst:Ed’s mission to create lasting impact and opportunity for all. You can meet Maya and other Catalyst:Ed team members this week at Power of Place, hosted by the WIlliam Julius Wilson Institute. Learn more about her achievements in her full bio here: https://lnkd.in/e77cPYJu

Catalyst:Ed is growing! ?? Help us welcome Rakesh Verma, our new VP of Product and Technology! ?? With over 25 years in product development across sectors like EdTech, Public Safety, and Insurance, Rakesh is poised to shape the future of our technology and product vision. His hands-on leadership and commitment to technical excellence will help us build an adaptable, scalable platform to support growth. Learn more about Rakesh's journey and the impact he aims to make at Catalyst:Ed: https://lnkd.in/ecx82cry Stay tuned for more introductions over the next few weeks!

Even weeks later, the Catalyst:Ed team is still resonating from the energy of the 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening in Salt Lake City! It’s always great to connect with old and new friends and hear about the work of some of our tremendous partner organizations. Thanks for having us, StriveTogether!

This was one of my all-time favorite experiences at Catalyst:Ed - and now we're taking it to new places! Earlier this year, we hosted an interactive exhibit at the Gates Foundation to share what we are learning about capacity building through our work, and the seven shifts that we believe are critical for capacity building to be more effective and equitable. And now, we're taking a mini version of our "traveling gallery" to the Grantmakers for Education annual conference. I hope you'll join us - the show starts at 215p on Wed, 10/16. I promise there will only be three slides! ;)

Will you be attending Grantmakers for Education? If so, we hope you'll join Leona Christy and Jason Carter for an interactive exhibit where we share what we are learning about capacity building through our work, and the seven shifts that we believe are critical for capacity building to be more effective and equitable.?