Staff

Senior Leadership Team

Denise Forte
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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…

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Amber Arellano, MPP
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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…

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Dia Bryant, Ed.L.D.
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Dia Bryant, Ed.L.D.

Executive Director at The Education Trust-New York

Dia is the executive director at The Education Trust–New York. In that role, she leads an ambitious policy and…

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Maria Darie

Maria Darie

Chief Financial Officer

Maria has over 15 years of professional experience in finance, accounting, process improvement, management of nonprofit organizations and corporate…

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Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D.
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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…

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Robin V. Harris, Ph.D.
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Robin V. Harris, Ph.D.

Vice President of Communications

Robin brings more than 15 years of writing, editing, and production experience to The Education Trust. As the leader…

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Claudia Luján

Claudia Luján

Chief of Staff

As the chief of staff at The Education Trust, Claudia oversees operations and provides strategic support to the Interim…

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Christopher Nellum, Ph.D.
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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…

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Gini Pupo-Walker
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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…

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Allison Rose Socol, Ph.D.
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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,…

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Rachel D. Stalcup
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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…

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Office of the President

Kevin Chappell

Kevin Chappell

Executive Writer

Kevin Chappell serves as the executive writer, Office of the President/CEO, where he leads the direction, development, and execution…

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Eliza Jarvinen

Eliza Jarvinen

Director of Development

Eliza Jarvinen joined Ed Trust as associate director of development in Spring 2019. Previously, she served as director, institutional…

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Emily Herd
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Emily Herd

Development Specialist

As a Development Specialist, Emily helps to draft grant reports, budget narratives, and concept papers. She also processes grant…

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Momal Rizvi

Momal Rizvi

Development Assistant

As development assistant, Momal supports the Development team in scheduling, prospect research, and organizing grant deliverables and funder meetings.Prior…

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Communications

Grace Aiyedogbon

Grace Aiyedogbon

Digital Communications Manager

Grace Aiyedogbon is the Digital Communications Manager at The Education Trust. She specializes in structuring web, social and email…

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Ameshia Cross
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Ameshia Cross

Assistant Director, Higher Education Communications

Ameshia leads media strategy, press outreach, and engagement for the higher education team. Prior to joining The Education Trust,…

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Nicolle Grayson
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Nicolle Grayson

Senior Director of Communications

With two decades of experience in issues advocacy, media relations, and strategic planning, Nicolle advances the organization’s equity agenda…

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Ana Henriquez

Ana Henriquez

Digital Communications Associate

Ana Henriquez is the digital communications associate at Ed Trust, where she works alongside the digital team to create…

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Karen Lomax

Karen Lomax

Director, Art

Karen is lead creative of the visual voice for The Education Trust. She develops and designs for all marketing…

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Letisha Marrero
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Letisha Marrero

Editorial Director

Letisha Marrero brings more than 20 years of editorial experience across multimedia platforms — digital, mobile, broadcast, and print…

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Gabriela Montell

Gabriela Montell

Senior Editor/Writer

In her current role, Gabriela writes and edits a variety of content — including, but not limited to, blogs,…

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Andrea Ramirez
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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…

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Jalyn Tolliver

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…

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Joe Weedon
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Joe Weedon

Assistant Director, P-12 Communications

As part of the Communications team, Joe Weedon prepares senior leaders for public outreach and engagement opportunities and advises…

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Finance

Chantel McCloud

Chantel McCloud

Associate Director for Grants Management and Finance

As the associate director of grants management and finance at Ed Trust, Chantel leads the grants management, reporting and…

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Azeb Measho
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Azeb Measho

Finance Manager

Azeb has more than 12 years of nonprofit accounting experience, including over three years in public accounting. Prior joining…

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Maria Elena Tapia

Maria Elena Tapia

Accounting Associate

Maria Tapia is an accounting associate in the finance department. Previously, she worked for 25 years at a multinational…

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Katherine Wiryaman

Katherine Wiryaman

Grant Specialist

Katherine is the grant specialist at Ed Trust. She helps manage the organization's multitude of grants across all offices…

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P-12 Policy, Research, and Practice

Hector Biaggi

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…

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Ebony Daughtry

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…

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Nancy Duchesneau
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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…

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Eric Duncan, J.D.
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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…

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Carrie Gillispie, Ed.D.
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Carrie Gillispie, Ed.D.

Senior P-12 Research Associate

As a senior associate on the P-12 Research team, Carrie Gillispie conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses and develops Ed…

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Oscar Jimenez-Castellanos, Ph.D.

Oscar Jimenez-Castellanos, Ph.D.

Director of P-12 Research

Oscar Jimenez-Castellanos, Ph.D. is the Director of P-12 Research at The Education Trust. Dr. Jimenez-Castellanos has spent over 20…

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Kristen Hengtgen, Ph.D.

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…

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Qubilah Huddleston

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…

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Nathan Kriha

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…

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Shayna Levitan

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…

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Tanji Reed Marshall, Ph.D
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Tanji Reed Marshall, Ph.D

Director of P-12 Practice

Tanji Reed Marshall, Ph.D., is the director of p-12 practice, leading Ed Trust’s Equity in Motion assignment analysis work.Prior…

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Ivy Morgan
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Ivy Morgan

Director for P-12 Data & Analytics

As the director of P-12 data and analytics, Ivy Morgan designs and conducts data and policy analyses that contribute…

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Nicholas Munyan-Penney

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…

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William Rodick, Ph.D.
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William Rodick, Ph.D.

Spencer Scholar

William researches and writes about P-12 curriculum and instructional practice with a focus on representation and culturally responsive teaching.William…

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Higher Education Policy, Research, and Practice

Jinann Bitar

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…

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Kayla C. Elliott, Ph.D.
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Kayla C. Elliott, Ph.D.

Director for Higher Education Policy

Kayla C. Elliott, Ph.D. is director of higher education policy at The Education Trust, where she leads the team…

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Ivy Ellis

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…

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William Freeman III
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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…

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Jessie Hernández-Reyes
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Jessie Hernández-Reyes

Senior Policy Analyst, Higher Education

Jessie Hernández-Reyes is a senior policy analyst on the higher education policy team. She focuses on promoting policies and…

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Victoria Jackson

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…

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Phil Martin
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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…

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Gabriel Montague

Gabriel Montague

Higher Education Research Analyst

Gabriel Montague is a higher education research analyst who utilizes data to develop a strong evidence-based foundation for institutional,…

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Diana Torres

Diana Torres

Higher Education Research Intern

Diana works with the Higher Education Team analyzing data related to college affordability, college outcomes, and racial equity. Diana’s…

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Brittani Williams
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Brittani Williams

Senior Policy Analyst in Higher Education

Brittani is a highly skilled policy analyst who specializes in higher education policy. As a member of Ed Trust's higher…

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Operations

Doug Brownlee
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Doug Brownlee

Associate 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…

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Gwendolyn Chappell

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. …

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Sarah Brody

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…

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Dailyn Fowler-Holmes

Dailyn Fowler-Holmes

Associate Systems Administrator

Dailyn is responsible for handling the day-to-day tasks for the organization's Information Technology (IT) department. This includes installing, maintaining,…

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Ray Galloway

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…

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Davon Mason

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,…

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Suniyah Peters

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,…

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Loretta Singleton

Loretta Singleton

Receptionist

Before joining Ed Trust, Loretta was the administrative assistant to Floretta Dukes McKenzie, a former superintendent of schools in…

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Andrew Whiting

Andrew Whiting

Assistant Director of Human Resources

Andrew supports Ed Trust Operations to recruit, hire, engage, develop, and reward amazing talent. He is passionate about leadership…

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Partnerships and Engagement

Jordyn Bussey
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Jordyn Bussey

Assistant Director, National and State Partnership

Jordyn Bussey is the assistant director for national and state partnership at The Education Trust, where she leads the…

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Genesis Carela

Genesis Carela

State Associate for Massachusetts

Genesis Carela is the state policy associate for Massachusetts at The Education Trust. She conducts policy and data analyses…

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Judith Cruz
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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…

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Jonathan Feinstein
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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…

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Tramelle Howard, J.D.
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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…

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Lynn C. Jennings, Ph.D
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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…

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Chanthy Lopes Toro

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…

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Christine Magume

Christine Magume

Associate, National and State Partnerships

Christine Magume is an associate for the National and State Partnership team. Her responsibilities range from project management to…

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Robert L. Ruffins

Robert L. Ruffins

Assistant Director, State Advocacy

As assistant director for state advocacy, Robert advances the mission of The Education Trust by identifying and building strategic…

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Reid Setzer
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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…

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Andrea Thurston

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…

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Blair Wriston

Blair Wriston

Senior Government Affairs Associate

Blair serves as senior government affairs associate, working alongside the director of government affairs and other members of the…

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