Senior Leadership Team
![Denise Forte](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Denise-Forte-Headshot-1-360x390.jpg)
Denise Forte
President and CEO
Denise Forte (pronounced “fort”) is the president and CEO at The Education Trust. Named one of the Washingtonian's 500…
![Amber Arellano, MPP](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Amber-Arellano-March-20171-360x390.jpg)
Amber Arellano, MPP
Executive Director at The Education Trust-Midwest
Amber Arellano is the founding executive director of The Education Trust-Midwest. Founded in 2010, today Ed Trust-Midwest is widely recognized…
![Arlen Benjamin-Gomez](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Arlen-Benjamin-Gomez-WEB.jpg)
Arlen Benjamin-Gomez
Executive Director, EdTrust-New York
Arlen Benjamin-Gomez brings 20 years of experience as an education advocate and policymaker, deeply rooted in the fabric of…
![Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D.](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20181217-EdTrust-StaffHeadshots-1323-360x390.jpg)
Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D., serves as Ed Trust’s Senior Vice President. In this role, Wil spearheads Ed Trust’s mission…
![Nicolle Grayson](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Nicolle-Grayson-headshot-WEB3.png)
Nicolle Grayson
Interim VP, Communications
With two decades of experience in issues advocacy, media relations, and strategic planning, Nicolle advances the organization’s equity agenda…
![Claudia Luján](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Claudia-Lujan-360x390.jpg)
Claudia Luján
Chief of Staff
As the chief of staff at The Education Trust, Claudia oversees operations and provides strategic support to the Interim…
![Augustus Mays](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Augustus-Mays-3.jpg)
Augustus Mays
Vice President, Partnerships and Engagement
Augustus serves as Ed Trust’s vice president for Partnerships and Engagement. In this role, Augustus leads the organization’s efforts…
![Christopher Nellum, Ph.D.](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Christopher-Nellum-scaled-e1659532445469-360x390.jpg)
Christopher Nellum, Ph.D.
Executive Director at The Education Trust-West
Dr. Christopher Nellum (he/him/his) is the Executive Director of The Education Trust–West, a nonprofit education equity organization focused on…
![Gini Pupo-Walker](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/KJM01393-e1659533223286-360x390.jpg)
Gini Pupo-Walker
Executive Director of Ed Trust - Tennessee
Gini brings more than 20 years of work in education as a teacher, administrator, and nonprofit leader. She serves…
![Wendy Scott](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wendy-Scott-2-WEB.png)
Wendy Scott
Chief Financial Officer
Wendy serves as chief financial officer at EdTrust. She oversees fiscal operations, including accounting, budgeting, financial planning and analysis,…
![Allison Rose Socol, Ph.D.](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20181217-EdTrust-StaffHeadshots-0330-360x390.jpg)
Allison Rose Socol, Ph.D.
Vice President for P-12 Policy, Research, & Practice
Allison Rose Socol, Ph.D. serves as Ed Trust’s vice president of P-12 policy, practice, and research. In this role,…
![Rachel D. Stalcup](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Rachel-Stalcup-360x390.jpg)
Rachel D. Stalcup
Chief Development Officer
As chief development officer, Rachel is a member of The Education Trust leadership team, working to strengthen the movement…
Office of the President
![Felecia Branch](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Felecia-Branch-WEB.jpg)
Felecia Branch
Sr. Executive Assistant
Felecia is a seasoned professional dedicated to providing exceptional administrative support and ensuring the seamless operation of the CEO…
![Kevin Chappell](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Kevin-Chappell-Headshot-360x390.jpg)
Kevin Chappell
Executive Writer
Kevin Chappell serves as the executive writer, Office of the President/CEO, where he leads the direction, development, and execution…
Communications
![Grace Aiyedogbon](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Grace-Aiyedogbon-Headshot-360x390.jpg)
Grace Aiyedogbon
Senior Manager, Digital Communications
Grace Aiyedogbon is the senior manager of digital communications at The Education Trust. She specializes in structuring web, social…
![Redante Asuncion-Reed](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Redante-photo-web.jpg)
Redante Asuncion-Reed
Website Manager
Redante collaborates with Communications leadership and content teams to develop digital communications and website strategies. He manages the development,…
![George Bowles](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/George-Bowles-WEB.jpg)
George Bowles
Editor/Writer
George Bowles (they/them) is an editor/writer at EdTrust. Prior to joining the EdTrust team, George was the communications and…
![Ameshia Cross](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ameshia-Cross-360x390.jpg)
Ameshia Cross
Director, Communications
Ameshia leads media strategy, press outreach, strategic marketing and external affairs for the Education Trust. Prior to joining Ed…
![Karen Lomax](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Klomax_3-360x390.jpg)
Karen Lomax
Director, Art
Karen is lead creative of the visual voice for The Education Trust. She develops and designs for all marketing…
![Letisha Marrero](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/LetishaMarrero_1-360x390.jpg)
Letisha Marrero
Editorial Director
Letisha Marrero brings more than 20 years of editorial experience across multimedia platforms — digital, mobile, broadcast, and print…
![Gabriela Montell](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/gabriela_montell_headshot-360x390.jpg)
Gabriela Montell
Senior Editor/Writer
In her current role, Gabriela writes and edits a variety of content — including, but not limited to, blogs,…
![Carolyn Phenicie](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Carolyn-Phenicie-headshot-WEB.jpg)
Carolyn Phenicie
Assistant Communications Director, P-12
Carolyn leads media strategy, press outreach and engagement for the P-12 team. Before joining EdTrust, Carolyn was the press…
![Andrea Ramirez](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Andrea-Ramirez-Headshot-360x390.jpg)
Andrea Ramirez
Communications Manager, Partnerships & Engagement
Andrea serves as the communications manager for the Partnerships and Engagement team, where she liaises with the various state…
![Jalyn Tolliver](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jalyn-Headshot-360x390.jpg)
Jalyn Tolliver
Graphic Designer
Jalyn’s responsibility as a graphic designer is to create high-quality design for print, digital, and social media. She started…
Development
![Emily Herd](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Emily-Herd-scaled-360x390.jpg)
Emily Herd
Development Specialist
As a Development Specialist, Emily helps to draft grant reports, budget narratives, and concept papers. She also processes grant…
![Eliza Jarvinen](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/eliza_headshot-e1659532662728-359x390.jpg)
Eliza Jarvinen
Director of Development
Eliza Jarvinen joined Ed Trust as associate director of development in Spring 2019. Previously, she served as director, institutional…
P-12 Policy, Research, and Practice
![Hector Biaggi](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Hector-Biaggi-360x390.jpg)
Hector Biaggi
Senior P-12 Analyst, Data & Analytics
Hector Biaggi is the senior analyst on the P-12 data and analytics team. In his role, Hector helps analyze…
![Ebony Daughtry](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Ebony-Pic-e1659532564345-360x390.jpg)
Ebony Daughtry
Senior Executive Assistant
Ebony Daughtry is the senior executive assistant to Allison Socol, vice president for P-12 policy, research and practice at Ed…
![Nancy Duchesneau](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/nancy_duchesneau_headshot-360x390.jpg)
Nancy Duchesneau
Senior P-12 Research Associate
Nancy is a Senior P-12 Research Associate and leads the Social, Emotional, and Academic Development work at EdTrust. In…
![Eric Duncan, J.D.](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Eric-Duncan-Headshot-360x390.png)
Eric Duncan, J.D.
Director of P-12 Policy – Educator Diversity
Eric Duncan is the director for P-12 policy, specializing in policies related to educator quality and increasing the racial…
![Carl Felton, III](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Carl-Felton-WEB.jpg)
Carl Felton, III
P-12 Policy Analyst
Carl Felton, III is a policy analyst on the P-12 team at EdTrust. As a policy analyst, Carl supports…
![Kristen Hengtgen, Ph.D.](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kristen-Hengtgen-360x390.jpg)
Kristen Hengtgen, Ph.D.
Senior Analyst, P-12 Policy
Kristen Hengtgen is a senior analyst on the P-12 policy team. She focuses on policies and practices that advocate…
![Qubilah Huddleston](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Qubilah-Headshot-360x390.jpg)
Qubilah Huddleston
Policy Lead, Equitable School Funding
As policy lead on the P-12 policy team, Qubilah informs and manages Ed Trust’s policy positions on equitable school…
![Nathan Kriha](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NK-Headshot-360x390.jpeg)
Nathan Kriha
P-12 Policy Analyst
Nathan Kriha is a policy analyst on the P-12 policy team where he focuses on topics related to educator…
![Shayna Levitan](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ShaynaLevitan_Headshot_2023-360x390.png)
Shayna Levitan
Policy Analyst, P-12
Shayna is a policy analyst on the P-12 team. In this role, Shayna supports work related to the Alliance…
![Ivy Morgan](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Ivy-Smith-Morgan-360x390.jpg)
Ivy Morgan
Director of P-12 Research and Data Analytics
As the director of P-12 research and data analytics, Ivy Morgan designs and conducts data and policy analyses that…
![Nicholas Munyan-Penney](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/munyan-penney-headshot-360x390.jpg)
Nicholas Munyan-Penney
Assistant Director, P-12 Policy
As assistant director of P-12 policy, Nicholas is responsible for overseeing work on a range of topics, including resource…
![William Rodick, Ph.D.](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/William-H-Rodick-Headshot-1-scaled-e1668453733800-360x390.jpg)
William Rodick, Ph.D.
P12 Practice Lead
William researches and writes about P-12 curriculum and instructional practice with a focus on representation and culturally responsive teaching.William…
![Anna Skubel, Ph.D.](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Anna-Skubel-WEB.jpg)
Anna Skubel, Ph.D.
Senior P-12 Research and Data Analyst
Anna Skubel, Ph.D. is a senior research and data analyst on the P-12 research and data analytics team. In…
Higher Education Policy, Research, and Practice
![Jinann Bitar](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Jinann-Bitar-Headshot-360x390.jpg)
Jinann Bitar
Director of Higher Education Research and Data Analytics
Jinann leads an ambitious, innovative effort directed at advancing the opportunity and equity agenda at colleges and universities. She…
![Ivy Ellis](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Ivy_31-360x390.jpg)
Ivy Ellis
Senior Executive Assistant
Ivy joined The Education Trust in 2000. She previously worked as an executive assistant/proposal coordinator for Facilities Management Company…
![William Freeman III](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/William-Freeman-III-2-e1652387953321-360x390.jpg)
William Freeman III
Manager of Higher Education Justice Initiative
William leads and manages the Justice Policy Fellowship, where he works with the policy team to provide an equity…
![Alexa Garza](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Alexa-Garza-360x390.jpg)
Alexa Garza
Higher Education Justice Initiatives Analyst/Texas Policy Analyst
Alexa Garza, an alumna of EdTrust’s inaugural Justice Fellows Policy Program, is responsible for assisting with the day-to-day tasks…
![Victoria Jackson](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Victoria-Jackson-bio-picture-7.18.19-360x390.jpg)
Victoria Jackson
Assistant Director of Higher Education Policy
Victoria Jackson is the assistant director of higher education policy at Ed Trust, where she leads work on college…
![Phil Martin](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC_3810-CROPPED-360x390.jpg)
Phil Martin
Director, Higher Education Policy Implementation
Phil Martin is director of higher education policy implementation at The Education Trust. His focus is helping federal and…
![Sayda Martinez-Alvarado](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Sayda-MA-Headshot-2.png)
Sayda Martinez-Alvarado
Policy Analyst
Sayda is a policy analyst on the higher education policy team. She works on tracking the increasing legislation across…
![Sandra Perez](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sandra-Perez-WEB.png)
Sandra Perez
Higher Education Research Analyst
Sandra is a higher education research analyst who researches various topics, such as accessibility and cost of attendance. She…
![Sabreyna Reese](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Sabreyna-Reese-WEB.jpg)
Sabreyna Reese
Research Analyst, Higher Education
Sabreyna is a higher education research analyst who is responsible for conducting quantitative research and data analysis projects, as…
Operations
![Sarah Brody](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/sarah-brody-360x390.jpg)
Sarah Brody
Director of Human Resources
Sarah leads the Human Resources function at The Education Trust. Her work focuses on building a diverse, thriving workforce…
![Doug Brownlee](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/20181218-EdTrust-StaffHeadshots-1965-360x390.jpg)
Doug Brownlee
Director for Information Technology
Doug is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the organization’s Information Technology (IT) department. This work includes hardware…
![Gwendolyn Chappell](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/20181218-EdTrust-StaffHeadshots-2027-360x390.jpg)
Gwendolyn Chappell
Senior Human Resources Generalist
Gwendolyn is the primary benefits coordinator, serving as the point person for all benefits-related concerns to staff and vendors. …
![Zuleida Corry](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Zuleida-Corry.jpg)
Zuleida Corry
Finance Associate
As Finance Associate, Zuleida is responsible for receiving and processing accounts payable vouchers and resolving payments and coding issues.Prior…
![Ray Galloway](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/RayGalloway_May2016_02-e1659532914367-360x390.jpg)
Ray Galloway
Operations and Events Manager
Ray is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations of the national office and is the primary contact for all…
![Jouene Jones-Walker](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Jouene-Jones-Walker-headshot-WEB.jpg)
Jouene Jones-Walker
Senior Human Resources Manager
Jouene ‘s primary focus in the Human Resources department is on total rewards for the organization, including compensation and…
![Kwame Kankam-Boadu](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kwame-Kankan-Boadu-WEB.jpg)
Kwame Kankam-Boadu
Senior Systems Administrator
As a senior systems administrator, Kwame is responsible for handling day to day cybersecurity, compliance, and configurations of the…
![Davon Mason](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/davon-mason_hs-360x390.jpg)
Davon Mason
Associate IT Analyst
Davon is responsible for handling the day-to-day tasks for the organization's Information Technology (IT) department. This includes installing, maintaining,…
![Chantel McCloud](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/McCloud-Chantel-0127-September-23-2014_FINAL-scaled-e1659532732791-360x390.jpg)
Chantel McCloud
Director for Grants Management and Finance
As the director of grants management and finance at Ed Trust, Chantel leads the grants management, reporting and budgeting…
![Suniyah Peters](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Suniyah-Peters-360x390.jpg)
Suniyah Peters
IT Associate I
Suniyah is responsible for handling the day-to-day tasks for the organization’s Information Technology (IT) department. This includes installing, maintaining,…
![Loretta Singleton](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Loretta-Singleton-1-e1659532964546-360x390.jpg)
Loretta Singleton
Receptionist
Before joining Ed Trust, Loretta was the administrative assistant to Floretta Dukes McKenzie, a former superintendent of schools in…
![Sabria Stanford](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Sabria-Stanford-WEB.jpg)
Sabria Stanford
Grants Associate
As a grants associate, Sabria is responsible for handling grants management tasks for EdTrust’s finance department. This includes setting…
![Maria Elena Tapia](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Maria-Tapia-Headshot-scaled-360x390.jpg)
Maria Elena Tapia
Accounting Associate
Maria Tapia is an accounting associate in the finance department. Previously, she worked for 25 years at a multinational…
Partnerships and Engagement
![Genesis Carela](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Genesis-Carela_Headshot-360x390.jpg)
Genesis Carela
Senior Policy Analyst for Massachusetts
Genesis Carela is the state senior policy analyst for Massachusetts at The Education Trust. She conducts policy and data…
![Jessica Ch’ng](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Jessica-Chng-headshot-WEB.png)
Jessica Ch’ng
Senior Associate, Strategic Initiatives and National Partnerships
As the Senior Associate of Strategic Initiatives and National Partnerships, Jessica is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships and…
![Judith Cruz](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Judith-head-shot-2-scaled-e1665581544568-360x390.jpg)
Judith Cruz
Texas Assistant Director, Houston Region
Judith manages and executes policy goals and advocacy activities within the Houston region in collaboration with the Texas State…
![Zaria Ealy](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Zaria-Ealy-2.jpg)
Zaria Ealy
Associate, Advocacy and Engagement
Zaria supports the Partnerships and Engagement team in activating EdTrust’s priority issues with state and national advocates and coalitions.…
![Jonathan Feinstein](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Feinstein_Jonathan-9-2019-360x390.jpg)
Jonathan Feinstein
State Director for Texas
Jonathan brings more than 15 years of experience in education as a teacher, organizer and nonprofit leader. He serves…
![Ciara Hart](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Ciara-Hart2-360x390.jpg)
Ciara Hart
External Relations Manager for Louisiana
Ciara Hart serves as the external relations manager for Ed Trust in Louisiana, where she focuses on consistent community…
![Tramelle Howard, J.D.](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tramelle_headshot-360x390.jpg)
Tramelle Howard, J.D.
Louisiana State Director
Tramelle Howard is an educator, community advocate and a deep believer in the urgent need to advance equity in…
![Lynn C. Jennings, Ph.D](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Lynn-Jennings-WEB.jpg)
Lynn C. Jennings, Ph.D
Senior Director of National and State Partnerships
Lynn C. Jennings, Ph.D., is the senior director of national and state partnerships for The Education Trust. She leads…
![Chanthy Lopes Toro](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Chanthy-Lopes-Toro-WEB.png)
Chanthy Lopes Toro
Assistant Director for Engagement and Communications for Massachusetts
In her role, Chanthy works alongside students, families, and community advocates to build urgency and collective will through meaningful…
![Reginald Nash, MPP](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Reginald-Nash-headshot.jpg)
Reginald Nash, MPP
Assistant Director, State Advocacy & Engagement
As assistant director, State Advocacy & Engagement, Reginald leads our strategic partnerships and capacity-building efforts with equity-centered coalitions…
![Reid Setzer](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSC_4026-360x390.jpg)
Reid Setzer
Director of Government Affairs
Reid serves as the organization's director of government affairs, working to leverage policy analysis as well as legislative tactics…
![Andrea Thurston](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Andrea-Thurston-360x390.jpg)
Andrea Thurston
Senior Higher Education Policy Analyst for Texas
Andrea manages and evaluates research projects to identify structures and policies that support Texas students' postsecondary persistence and completion…
![Jennie Williamson](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Jennie-Williamson-360x390.jpg)
Jennie Williamson
State Director for Massachusetts
Jennie Williamson is the State Director for The Education Trust-Massachusetts, where she leads the development and implementation of the…
![Blair Wriston](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/blair-wriston-360x390.jpg)
Blair Wriston
Senior Government Affairs Manager
Blair serves as senior government affairs manager, working alongside the director of government affairs and other members of the…
![Emily Young](https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Emily-Young-Pic-WEB.jpg)
Emily Young
Associate, Advocacy and Engagement
Emily Young is an associate for advocacy and engagement. In this role, she acts as a bridge between the…