Verone Kennedy, MSEd is a distinguished education executive with extensive experience in school quality, development, and administration. Known for championing equitable access to education and driving innovative school reforms, Verone has a proven record of maximizing learning outcomes across diverse populations. His servant leadership style fosters top-performing teams and collaborative work cultures aligned with a unified mission.

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Career Highlights:

• Spearheaded the launch of the UAE’s first charter school cohort, collaborating with national and international stakeholders to elevate global education standards.

• Closed achievement gaps for underperforming students by designing and implementing KPIs to monitor progress and accountability.

• Maintained high student performance during the pandemic by introducing effective distance learning models and virtual monitoring platforms.​

Educational Background:

• EdD (ABD) in Educational Leadership, University of Pennsylvania (anticipated May 2023)

• Master of Science in Education, Sarah Lawrence College

• Bachelor of Science in Education, SUNY College at Old Westbury​

Certifications:

• School Building Leader (SBL) Educational Leadership Certification

• Permanent Teaching Certifications in New York and New Jersey​

Postgraduate Training:

• Wharton Executive Education Program: Executive Presence & Influence

• The Principals’ Center at Harvard Graduate School of Education: Urban School Leaders Program

• University of Connecticut: Schoolwide Enrichment Leadership Program​

Awards:

• Sloan Public Service Award (2007)

• NHA Eagle Awards for School Performance (2010–2013)

• Distinguished Award of Merit, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (2008)​

Professional Experience:

Currently serves as Division Director of School Monitoring, Evaluation, and Improvement at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), overseeing policies that impact over 40,000 students across 31 charter schools. His prior roles include Executive Director at NYC Department of Education and Director of School Quality for National Heritage Academies, where he led initiatives to enhance school effectiveness and student performance.

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Professional Affiliations:

• Facilitator, Growing Great Leaders Series, University of Auckland

• Educational Advisory Council Member, Overcoming Obstacles

• Board Member, Aldar and Taaleem Charter Schools (UAE)

Verone Kennedy continues to advance global education through innovative leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and transformative policies.

Kalisha Robinson is a seasoned Strategic Leadership and Education Consultant with extensive experience in instructional leadership and organizational strategy.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Education, Brooklyn College

• Master of Science in Education in School Building Leadership, Mercy College (Magna Cum Laude)

• Master of Divinity Program, Princeton Theological Seminary (Accepted, in progress)

Professional Experience:

Kalisha has held various impactful roles within education, including:

• Teacher & Special Education Transition Coordinator, Boys and Girls High School, Brooklyn

• Instructional Specialist, The Children First Network, supporting over 30 schools and hundreds of teachers across NYC.

• Teacher Development & Evaluation Coach, Transfer High Schools, mentoring administrators in teacher evaluations and professional development.

• Director, NYC Department of Education’s Learning Partners Program (Chancellor’s Teacher Development Initiative), focused on racial equity through improvement science inquiry processes.

• Instructional Leadership Partner, providing strategic coaching to principals and Executive Superintendents, with a focus on effective practices and addressing racial disparities.

• Director, Lighthouse Collaborative Program, offering leadership and instructional support to NYC schools.

Leadership & Equity Work:

Kalisha has centered racial equity as the throughline of her work, addressing access and opportunity gaps for historically underserved students. Through her roles, she has implemented strategies to isolate data, eliminate disparities, and transform systems within NYC schools.

Conference Presentations:

Kalisha has represented the NYC DOE at national platforms, sharing insights on educational equity:

• Coalition for Essential Schools Fall Forum (2011): "The Key to Adult Learning/Peer Colleague Lab Sites."

• Harvard University Beyond Desegregation Conference (2019): "Dismantling Systems of Inequity in NYC Schools: Using Improvement Science to Promote Racial Equity."

Kalisha Robinson’s lifelong dedication to education continues to inspire meaningful change, shaping equitable practices for the benefit of students and educators alike.

Felicia Sanders brings over 30 years of experience in education and leadership, most recently serving as Chief Schools Officer, where she oversees the performance of 17 school networks and Independent Schools Principals. A dedicated advocate for student success, Felicia has held various roles in Chicago Public Schools, including teacher, assistant principal, principal, deputy chief, and Chief of Network 9. Her leadership is rooted in fostering academic excellence through strategic community partnerships and integrating social-emotional learning into school cultures. As a principal, she led her school to achieve consistent, significant academic progress by building collaborative, results-driven environments. With advanced credentials in educational administration and a superintendent license, Felicia partners with organizations to develop strategic solutions that includes  school and employee performance and advances equitable learning opportunities. 

Rhonda holds an MBA in Project Management and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an IT Specialist in Quality Assurance. With a proven track record of ensuring seamless software performance and delivering high-quality solutions, she excels at identifying inefficiencies, streamlining processes, and driving project success. Committed to client satisfaction, Rhonda leverages her advanced project management knowledge and technical acumen to provide tailored, efficient, and reliable IT solutions.