Alina Hooper is the Director of Strategy and Operations at City Fund, where she works closely with the executive team to develop and implement strategic initiatives. In her role, Alina oversees program management. She builds systems to ensure strong alignment and operational efficiency across teams, supporting City Fund’s mission to expand access to high-quality public schools.

Before joining City Fund, Alina was a Senior Vice President at 270 Strategies, where she specialized in campaign design, organization building, and engagement strategy. She partnered with education advocacy groups, civic engagement organizations, and social justice initiatives, advising emerging and established institutions on expanding their impact. Her work included leading large-scale voter mobilization efforts during the 2020 election cycle, where her team executed data-driven outreach strategies to engage lower-propensity and persuadable voters. She also played a key role in securing the passage of Florida’s Amendment 4, which restored voting rights for 1.4 million returning citizens. Earlier in her career, Alina served as Digital Coalitions Director on a major presidential campaign, spearheading digital organizing programs to increase voter engagement and turnout among African American communities.

Alina earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Harvard College. A lifelong student of political and cultural movements, she is passionate about social change and civic activism. She lives in Chicago, where she enjoys reading, exploring the Art Institute, and planning her next trip.

Ambar Calvillo-Rivera serves as the Vice President of Capacity Building at City Fund, where she leads initiatives designed to strengthen grantee impact in expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities. She oversees leadership development programs, builds strategic support systems, and facilitates best practice sharing across City Fund’s network, ensuring partners have the tools and resources necessary to drive meaningful, community-centered change.

A recognized leader in coalition building and community mobilization, Ambar has a track record of advancing equity-focused initiatives through strategic partnerships and large-scale campaigns. As Vice President of Campaigns at Voto Latino, she spearheaded the Somos Más campaign across 11 states, contributing to a 76% voter turnout rate. At the Democratic National Committee, she directed nationwide coalition efforts to support local candidates, and at Enroll America, she managed multi-state partnerships that expanded healthcare access through the Affordable Care Act.

In addition to her national advocacy work, Ambar has advised organizations through consulting, developing programs that expand leadership pathways for leaders of color in education and civic engagement. She began her career in higher education, designing leadership development opportunities for underrepresented communities in Texas and New Mexico.Ambar lives in El Paso, Texas, with her wife and their dogs, Churro and Frida.

Anne Dietterich is a Strategic Data Fellow at City Fund, where she leads research and evaluation initiatives that strengthen the organization’s data-driven approach to expanding high-quality public school options. She builds tools to improve data accessibility and usability, ensuring that key insights inform strategic decision-making across the organization.

Anne is also a Strategic Data Project Fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research, where she is conducting a capstone project focused on developing more nuanced and equitable measures of school quality. Her expertise spans program evaluation, data visualization, and equity and inclusion analytics, with a deep commitment to leveraging data to drive meaningful educational outcomes.

Before joining City Fund, Anne worked as an Equity Analyst for the City of Cambridge, where she used data to assess policies and programs through an equity lens. She also has experience in program management and evaluation within higher education, helping institutions refine their impact and effectiveness.

Anne began her career in education working with young refugees in Durham, North Carolina, followed by teaching English language learners. She remains particularly interested in ELL and literacy education. She holds a B.A. from Duke University and an M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School. Anne lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her husband and their dog.

Blair Mindak is an Executive Assistant at City Fund, where she provides critical administrative support, managing scheduling, operations, and logistics to ensure seamless workflow and efficiency for the team. With a strong focus on organization and process improvement, Blair is passionate about optimizing systems to enhance productivity and collaboration.

With over a decade of experience in executive support, Blair has worked in local government and early education, developing expertise in streamlining operations, managing priorities, and supporting leadership teams. She began her career in advertising before transitioning into administrative roles, where she discovered her passion for improving workflow and organizational efficiency.

Blair believes that all children deserve access to quality education in a nurturing environment, a commitment that drives her work at City Fund.

She resides in St. Louis, Missouri.

Chris Barbic is a Partner at City Fund, where he collaborates with local leaders to expand access to high-quality public school options and improve student outcomes. A lifelong educator and advocate for school transformation, Chris brings extensive experience in school leadership, charter school expansion, and district turnaround efforts.

Before joining City Fund, Chris founded and led YES Prep Public Schools, one of the nation’s most recognized charter networks and the inaugural recipient of the Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools. During his tenure, YES Prep grew into a nationally acclaimed model for high-performing public charter schools, significantly increasing college access for students from underserved communities.

Chris later became the founding Superintendent of Tennessee’s Achievement School District (ASD), overseeing the state’s effort to turn around its lowest-performing schools. Under his leadership, Priority Schools grew four times the state average, and the threshold for the bottom 5% of schools increased by 10 percentage points in just three years. During this period, Memphis saw a dramatic improvement, with the number of Priority Schools dropping from 68 in 2012 to 31 in 2018, reflecting significant academic progress.

Chris began his career as a Teach For America corps member in Houston, where he taught middle school before transitioning into school leadership. He holds a degree from Vanderbilt University and remains committed to helping education leaders scale innovative solutions that drive student success.

Originally from Georgia, Chris now lives in Nashville with his wife, Natasha, and has two adult children - Tatiana and Ramiz.

Danisha Moore is the Communications Manager at City Fund, where she supports the organization’s strategic communications efforts to amplify its mission and impact. She plays a key role in managing messaging, brand positioning, and engagement strategies that advance City Fund’s work in expanding access to high-quality public school options.

Prior to joining City Fund, Danisha served as the Communications and Engagement Manager at A Better Chicago, a venture philanthropy organization focused on improving education and life outcomes for Black and Latinx youth from low-income backgrounds. In this role, she led brand storytelling and engagement initiatives to elevate the organization’s mission and partnerships. During her tenure, she spearheaded the implementation of digital marketing campaigns, including Giving Tuesday efforts, which significantly increased brand awareness across Chicago’s philanthropic community. 

Before transitioning into the education and nonprofit sector, Danisha worked in brand management at Target, where she developed marketing strategies and campaigns to strengthen consumer engagement across Chicago’s Southside district.

Danisha holds a master’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising from DePaul University. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois, where she enjoys exploring the city’s diverse neighborhoods and catching live performances.

Donna Prentice is an Executive Assistant at City Fund, where she provides high-level administrative support with a primary focus on people operations, HR administration, and event planning. She plays a key role in ensuring seamless operations and optimizing workflows, enabling the team to focus on City Fund’s mission of expanding access to high-quality public schools.

With more than a decade of experience in executive administration across the consulting, medical device, and real estate industries, Donna is known for her expertise in managing complex schedules, coordinating engagements with high-level board members and national partners, and driving operational excellence. Her ability to anticipate needs, streamline processes, and provide executive-level support allows leadership to remain focused on strategic priorities and long-term goals.

Donna is a proud graduate of Purdue University. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and three children and enjoys spending time in the mountains.

Dorsey Hopson is a Partner at City Fund, where he works with local leaders to improve student outcomes, enhance K-12 ecosystems, and strengthen state and local conditions to ensure all students have access to high-quality schools. In his role, Dorsey draws on his extensive leadership experience to drive sustainable, community-centered educational reforms.

Before joining City Fund, Dorsey served as Superintendent for the Memphis City and Shelby County School Districts, leading the largest school merger in U.S. history. During his tenure, he prioritized early literacy, expanded high-quality school options, and fostered authentic community engagement. He also worked with the school board and philanthropy to grow the district’s non-profit school sector and develop reform-oriented policies. Under his leadership, the district managed a $100 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and launched the I-Zone, one of the nation’s most successful school turnaround models.

Earlier in his career, Dorsey served as General Counsel for multiple school districts, including Memphis City Schools, where he led a landmark funding lawsuit that secured a $57 million judgment for the district. He began his career as a corporate defense attorney in Atlanta, serving as lead trial lawyer and arguing cases in federal and state appellate courts.

Dorsey holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis and graduated magna cum laude from the Georgia State University College of Law. He serves on the boards of several education organizations, including the Georgia Charter Schools Association and the Memphis Education Fund. Hopson lives in Memphis with his wife and children.

Ethan Gray is a Partner at City Fund, where he collaborates with local leaders across the country to expand access to high-quality public school options for children in their cities. In addition to his work with local partners, Ethan leads City Fund’s internal efforts on charter school authorizing and school accountability, ensuring schools deliver strong outcomes for students.

Before joining City Fund, Ethan founded and served as CEO of Education Cities, a national network of city-based nonprofits working to expand high-quality public school options. Under his leadership, Education Cities supported the growth of hundreds of high-performing schools, improving educational opportunities for tens of thousands of students nationwide. Earlier in his career, Ethan served as vice president of The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, where he helped design and implement the Creating Opportunity Schools plan to transform Indianapolis Public Schools, significantly expanding access to improved school options over the past decade.

Ethan began his career as policy director at Be the Change, Inc., where he developed a national service expansion plan that influenced the bipartisan Serve America Act. He serves on the boards of Denver Families for Public Schools, Excellent Schools New Mexico, High Desert Chamber Music, and The Putney School. Ethan lives in Bend, Oregon, with his wife, son, and small adventure dog.

Gary Borden is a Partner at City Fund, where he collaborates with city leaders and state officials to expand access to high-quality public school opportunities for all children, particularly those historically underserved. In his role, Borden focuses on driving state policy changes to create conditions for transformative improvements in urban education.

Before joining City Fund in 2019, Borden led policy and political initiatives for the charter public school community in California. As Executive Director of CCSA Advocates and Senior Vice President for Civic Affairs at the California Charter Schools Association, he managed a multi-million-dollar political program targeting state and local government. His work included advancing legislation and initiatives that elevated educational opportunities for California’s students. Previously, as Deputy Executive Director of the California State Board of Education, Borden played a pivotal role in shaping the state’s standards, assessment, and testing framework, establishing clear and ambitious quality measures for public schools statewide.

A licensed attorney, Borden began his career by providing legal and governance support to emerging school leaders. He holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University. Borden resides in Oakland, California, with his wife and son, where they embrace the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Northern California.

Isral DeBruin is a Director of Communications for City Fund, where he partners with team members and local leaders nationwide to develop cross-functional communications and advocacy strategies that drive progress for students and families. In his role, Isral combines his expertise in education, communications, and policy to amplify efforts that transform public education systems.

Prior to joining City Fund, Isral played a key role in launching and leading City Forward Collective, an education advocacy organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As the organization’s leader in strategy, communications, and fundraising, he advanced initiatives to improve educational opportunities in the region. Earlier in his career, Isral taught at a Milwaukee charter school through Teach For America, where his students achieved the highest math and reading gains of any classroom in the school.

Before transitioning to education, Isral was an award-winning education reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s NOW Newspapers. His journalism and opinion writing have been featured in numerous local and state publications in Wisconsin.

Isral holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and an M.Ed. in Educational Policy and Leadership from Marquette University. He resides in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood with his wife and daughter.

Jenny Paulk is the Vice President of Grants and Contracts at City Fund, where she oversees grantmaking operations to ensure the effective deployment of grant investments and contracts. In her role, she maintains rigorous compliance standards while supporting education and advocacy partners in expanding access to high-quality public schools nationwide.

Previously, Jenny served as Global Director of Grants Management at one of the world’s largest private foundations, where she led a team of more than 35 staff in administering more $800 million annually in grant investments supporting democratic principles, human rights, and justice as well as various rapid response initiatives for disaster relief across five continents. Before that, she was a Director at an international NGO and an Ivy League research university, overseeing $30 million annually in multi-donor agreements, managing funding from multilaterals, private foundations, and the U.S. government to support public health initiatives in Africa and Latin America. Earlier in her career, Jenny worked at a 501(c)(3) public charity, where she coordinated national asset-building projects across 17 states, managing partnerships with credit unions and more than 60 AmeriCorps VISTA members. She began her career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, West Africa.

A native of rural South Georgia, Jenny holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Georgia and certifications in fraud prevention, project management, and conflict resolution. She splits her time between New York City and Savannah, Georgia, and is an active member of multiple grantmaking associations, where she contributes expertise on international grantmaking and operational best practices.

Jessica Peña is a Partner at City Fund, where she collaborates with local leaders to support innovative, community-driven strategies that expand access to high-quality public school options for all children. As one of City Fund’s founding team members, Jessica has worked with organizations and stakeholders in cities across the country, helping to advance efforts that improve student outcomes and increase opportunity.

Jessica brings deep experience in philanthropy, education strategy, and nonprofit advising. Prior to City Fund, she served as a Partner at Education Cities, where she provided strategic support to local nonprofits working to improve education outcomes. Before that, she spent eight years at the Philadelphia School Partnership, where she managed a $100 million fund to launch, replicate, and expand proven school models. Her career has been rooted in investing in what works, launching new organizations, and helping local partners build strategies that drive results for students in underserved communities.

Earlier in her career, Jessica worked on criminal justice, immigration, child welfare, and housing issues, both inside and outside of government. She is a graduate of NYU School of Law and Trinity College in Connecticut. Originally from New York City, Jessica now lives in New Jersey with her husband and two teenage children.Parter, City Fund

Kameelah Shaheed-Diallo is a Partner at City Fund, where she collaborates with local leaders to grow high-quality schools and create policy conditions that drive student success. In her role, Kameelah focuses on empowering communities to transform their local education systems and ensure students have access to exceptional educational opportunities.

Before joining City Fund, Kameelah served as the Senior Vice President of Strategy & Community Engagement at The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit. During her tenure, she led the organization’s strategic plan for community engagement. She played a pivotal role in establishing a partnership between The Mind Trust, the City of Indianapolis, and the city’s largest school district. This collaboration supported district-charter cooperation and enabled the growth of Innovation Network Schools, improving educational opportunities for thousands of students. Kameelah has extensive experience in policy development and coalition-building to advance education equity and community-driven change.

Kameelah began her career practicing law in New York and Indianapolis before transitioning to education. She holds a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and a law degree from Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law. A dedicated community leader, she serves on the boards of Rochester READY, City Forward Collective, The Indianapolis Foundation, and Christel House International. Kameelah resides in Indianapolis with her husband and two daughters.

Kevin Shafer is the President of City Fund, where he leads the organization’s efforts to expand access to high-quality schools for all students across the country. In this role, he oversees organizational strategy and execution, guiding City Fund’s work in multiple cities to improve student outcomes. Kevin leads both the City Fund Partner Team, which provides direct support to city leaders, and the Impact Team, which evaluates organizational progress and supports the network of education leaders working to accelerate progress and improve outcomes.

With over 15 years of experience in philanthropic and school system leadership, Kevin has dedicated his career to transforming urban education. Before becoming President, he served as a Partner at City Fund, where he provided strategic support to cities and states and played a pivotal role in launching the organization’s communications workstream.

Prior to joining City Fund, Kevin was the Chief Innovation Officer for Camden City School District, where he spearheaded the district’s school transformation efforts. His work led to the development of Renaissance Schools, a partnership between district and high-performing charter schools that expanded access to high-quality education. In Camden, he led citywide school construction and renovation projects, securing over $300 million in improvements, and launched a citywide enrollment system to ensure equitable access for all students.

Kevin began his career in Bridgeport, Connecticut, teaching 7th-grade social studies before transitioning into education leadership. He later trained new teachers and served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Bridgeport Public Schools, supporting district-wide strategy and operations.

He serves on the board of The 74 Million, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to covering education policy and reform. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from Wake Forest University, where he graduated magna cum laude with honors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Kevin currently resides in Philadelphia with his wife, Marianne, and their two sons, Emerson and Fletcher.

Kristen Forbriger is the Vice President of External Engagement at City Fund, where she oversees communications, partnerships, and movement-building efforts. In her role, Kristen collaborates with local partners across the country to build public support for their work and create sustainable change in public education systems.

Before joining City Fund, Kristen served as the lead for external relations at the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, where she worked with federal and state policy teams to ensure charter school quality and effective oversight. During her tenure, she advanced strategies to strengthen charter school authorizing practices nationwide, improving access to high-quality schools for students. Earlier in her career, Kristen managed communications and parent engagement at the Philadelphia School Partnership, where she supported initiatives that connected families to better educational opportunities and advocated for systemic improvements in Philadelphia’s schools.

Kristen began her career in education at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, where she witnessed the transformative power of high-quality education to change the trajectory of a student’s life. This experience fueled her passion for expanding educational opportunities to underserved communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. Kristen lives in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and three sons, while remaining a dedicated fan of Philadelphia sports teams.

Leilani Matāsaua Pimentel is the Director of Development at City Fund, where she partners with national and regional funders to advance the organization’s mission of ensuring every child has access to a world-class education. In her role, Leilani focuses on building strategic partnerships and securing investments that support transformative educational opportunities for students.

Prior to joining City Fund, Leilani served as the lead fundraiser at APIA Scholars, where she helped double the organization’s revenue, enabling its expansion beyond scholarships to include research, advocacy, and partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions. Earlier in her career, Leilani held legislative and communications roles in the office of the late Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, collaborating with educators and schools in American Sāmoa to address educational needs. She began her professional journey in AmeriCorps, teaching preschool and leading early literacy programs for families in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood.

A daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Leilani is deeply committed to creating equitable educational opportunities for all students. She earned her degree from Stanford University and serves on the board of Mana Academy Charter School. Leilani lives in Reno, Nevada, with her husband, mother, and two daughters.

Liset Rivera is the Director of Convenings & Engagement at City Fund, where she works to foster a national network of education leaders dedicated to maximizing their impact in their local communities. In her role, Liset creates opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth, ensuring leaders have the connections and resources needed to drive meaningful change in public education.

For more than a decade, Liset has worked in the nonprofit education space, producing events, building communities, and strengthening collaboration among education leaders. Prior to joining City Fund, she held roles at the KIPP Foundation and Education Cities, where she produced events, built communities, and fostered collaboration among diverse education stakeholders.  Earlier in her career, Liset worked at NASA Ames Research Center, where she partnered with scientists to translate cutting-edge innovations into real-world applications, an experience that shaped her ability to bridge ideas with impact.

Liset holds a degree in Business Marketing from San Jose State University. She lives in San Luis Obispo, California, with her husband, son, and their border collie, Cooper.

Marcos Porras is an Executive Assistant at City Fund, where he provides critical administrative support to partners and colleagues, ensuring seamless operations and efficiency across the organization.

With extensive experience supporting senior-level executives in fast-paced environments, Marcos is known for his proactive problem-solving and attention to detail. He has played a key role in developing several operational systems, including a comprehensive calendar management system, which significantly reduced scheduling conflicts and improved executive productivity.

Marcos began his career in customer service in Culver City, California, where he developed strong organizational and interpersonal skills that continue to shape his approach to operations and logistics. A proud public school graduate from Los Angeles County, he is passionate about supporting efforts to expand access to high-quality public schools for students.

He currently lives in Los Angeles, California, with his twin children, Summer and Marcos.

Maria Castillo is the Grants and Contracts Coordinator at City Fund, where she supports agreement administration, compliance, data management, and both internal and external communications. With a deep belief in an education system that serves all students, Maria is passionate about empowering young people to reach their full potential through equitable access to opportunity.

She brings extensive experience in administrative support, executive assistance, and project coordination, approaching her work with a blend of precision, efficiency, and strategic thinking. Her ability to manage complex systems and workflows makes her a vital part of City Fund’s operations and grantmaking processes.

Outside of her professional role, Maria is deeply committed to animal welfare and volunteers regularly at her local shelter. She is the proud mother of three children and lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her beloved dogs and cats.

Mariam Bouricius is the Director of Advocacy Strategy & Analytics at City Fund, where she provides expertise in advocacy and politics to empower local leaders across the network. Her work focuses on driving educational transformation through data-informed decision-making, strategic campaigns, and robust advocacy efforts that expand access to high-quality public education for underserved communities.

Prior to joining City Fund, Mariam served as Data & Analytics Director at FWD.us, where she led efforts to protect federal programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), ensuring stability for immigrant communities. She also supported criminal justice reform through policies like the First Step Act, advancing equity through advocacy. As Managing Director of Analytics at the California Charter Schools Association, she directed statewide initiatives to elect charter school supporters, leveraging data and strategy to strengthen the movement and improve educational opportunities. Earlier in her career, Mariam collaborated with national partners at the KIPP Foundation to secure increased federal funding for the Charter Schools Program, enabling the growth of high-performing charter schools in communities with the greatest need.

Mariam holds a degree in Mathematics from Scripps College. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, son, and rescue pup.

Marlon Marshall is the Chief Executive Officer of City Fund. He leads the organization’s efforts to ensure all students have access to high-quality public schools. In his role, Marlon brings a wealth of leadership experience from the highest levels of government, campaign strategy, and organizational development to advance City Fund’s mission of driving transformative change in public education.

Before joining City Fund, Marlon was a founding partner at 270 Strategies, helping organizations build impactful campaigns to mobilize communities and achieve meaningful change. He previously served as Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Director in the Obama White House Office of Public Engagement, where he worked to connect everyday Americans to the policymaking process. He served in leadership roles in the 2016 Hillary for America campaign and the 2012 Obama reelection campaign, overseeing grassroots operations that engaged millions of volunteers across the country.Marlon serves on the board of the Equitable Facilities Fund, an organization dedicated to improving access to affordable facilities financing for public charter schools. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and a master's in Policy Management from Georgetown University. A passionate fan of all things Kansas Jayhawks, Marlon serves on the Alumni Association Board. He resides in Denver with his wife, Stacy, and their two daughters.

Maura Marino is a Partner at City Fund, where she collaborates with local leaders to ensure all students have access to high-quality public schools. In her role, Maura focuses on building partnerships and supporting initiatives that drive educational equity and excellence across communities.

Before joining City Fund, Maura supported citywide efforts to improve public schools in Washington, DC, as CEO of Education Forward DC and Managing Partner at NewSchools Venture Fund. During this time, DC became the fastest-improving city in the nation on student outcomes—a reflection of the collective efforts of educators, families, and community leaders across the city. At Education Forward DC, Maura helped guide investments and initiatives focused on elevating parent voices, supporting teachers and school leaders, simplifying enrollment processes for families, and expanding innovative school models. Over the course of her career, she has directed more than $150 million in philanthropic support toward initiatives designed to expand educational opportunity and improve outcomes for students.

Maura began her career as a teacher at Aspire Public Schools' first high school in East Palo Alto, California, where she developed a deep commitment to serving students in underserved communities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A longtime resident of Washington, DC, Maura is a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow and an Education Pioneers alum.

Naeha Dean is a Partner at City Fund, where she works with local leaders across the country to expand access to high-quality public school options and improve student outcomes in urban communities. With a background in education leadership, policy, and nonprofit management, she brings deep expertise in school improvement, talent development, and strategic investments that drive meaningful change in public education.

Prior to joining City Fund, Naeha served in senior leadership roles in Camden, New Jersey, including Chief of Staff at Camden City School District, where she played a key role in driving significant gains in student achievement and supporting the development of new, high-quality school facilities. She later founded Camden Education Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Camden’s school system by building talent pipelines, providing grant opportunities, celebrating outstanding educators, and advancing education policy.

Naeha began her career as a math teacher, an experience that continues to inform her approach to education policy and leadership.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Naeha lives in Philadelphia with her family.

Natasha Williams is the Chief Financial Officer of City Fund. Natasha’s experience in both the public and private sectors has spanned across finance, accounting, and operations functions. Prior to joining City Fund, she was the Chief Operating Officer of The Achievement Network, where she facilitated the development and implementation of a sustainable model that aligned talent, systems, and financial resources to maximize educational outcomes for students in over 25 states in the U.S. Natasha holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She lives in Boston, MA with her husband and son and enjoys traveling.

Noor Iqbal is the Vice President of Research & Evaluation at City Fund, where she ensures the team has the data, insights, and analytical tools needed to drive strategies that expand access to high-quality public school options in urban communities. She leads efforts to assess the impact of City Fund’s initiatives, ensuring that decisions are informed by rigorous research and evidence.

With over a decade of experience in impact evaluation and philanthropy, Noor has dedicated her career to using data to improve educational outcomes. She previously served as a Director on the Education team at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, where she managed a multi-million-dollar grant portfolio focused on K-12 public education and played a key role in launching City Fund. Earlier in her career, Noor worked at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT, helping policymakers integrate rigorous evidence and research into education policy decisions.

Noor holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and a master’s in Development Studies from the London School of Economics. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and two children and serves on the board of Étoile Academy, a public charter school in southwest Houston.

Patrick Dobard is a Partner at City Fund, where he works with local leaders across the country to expand access to high-quality public school options and improve student outcomes in urban communities. In his role, Patrick leverages his extensive experience in education leadership, policy, and nonprofit management to drive sustainable change in public education systems.

Prior to joining City Fund, Patrick served as Superintendent of the Louisiana Recovery School District (RSD) from 2012 to 2017, where he led the transformation of some of the state's most chronically underperforming schools. Under his leadership, New Orleans nearly eliminated all failing schools, implemented a governance model focused on accountability and autonomy, and established an equitable funding system to support students furthest from opportunity. In 2016, he spearheaded the reunification of schools under the local school board, ensuring continued oversight grounded in the reforms enacted during his tenure. Following his time at RSD, Patrick became CEO of New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO), a nonprofit dedicated to educational equity. Under his leadership, NSNO raised more than $72 million to support school improvement efforts across the city.

Patrick’s work has been featured in The New York Times and Education Week, and he has written op-eds for Education Week, The 74, and various Louisiana publications. His leadership in education reform is also highlighted in the book Charter School City.

Patrick began his career as a social studies teacher in Louisiana, where he taught for a decade before serving in state government roles for 16 years. He holds a master’s degree in history from Southern University.

Sarah Eberhard is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at City Fund, where she oversees operations, legal strategy, and governance while building efficient systems that expand access to high-quality public schools. Sarah’s focus is on designing scalable processes, managing risk, and strengthening our organizational infrastructure to support our mission.

Sarah began her legal career as a corporate lawyer at Jones Day. After a decade in the private sector, she transitioned to nonprofit, serving as General Counsel at After School Matters, a public-private partnership providing out-of-school programming for Chicago teens. In this role, she navigated legal and operational challenges to support expanded educational opportunities for students.

Expanding her leadership into the political sphere, Sarah went on to serve as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at 270 Strategies and Higher Ground Labs, where she managed legal and operational strategy for organizations focused on political innovation and advocacy. Her experience across law, nonprofit management, and political operations gives her a unique perspective on driving impact through strategic leadership.

Sarah holds a B.A. from Colgate University and a J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. She lives in Chicago with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Sarah also proudly serves on the boards of several organizations in Chicago, including the Woman's Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. 

Sherae Dinkins is an Events Assistant at City Fund, where she supports the planning and execution of convenings, meetings, and special events that bring together education leaders from across the country. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to creating seamless experiences, she helps ensure City Fund’s events run smoothly and foster meaningful connections.

With over 15 years of experience, Sherae has built expertise in complex calendar management, project coordination, and executive support. She has successfully directed priority initiatives and provided comprehensive support to C-suite executives across various industries. Prior to joining City Fund, she served as an Administrative Coordinator for a radio conglomerate, a local government office, and a nonprofit family foundation, where she developed strong operational, communications, and leadership skills.

Outside of work, Sherae enjoys indulging in culinary adventures with family, cheering for her beloved Philadelphia Eagles, and advocating for herbal and homeopathic lifestyles. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Damont, and is a proud mom to her son, Cairo, and fur baby, Gizmo.

Simone L. Ward is a Partner at City Fund, where she collaborates with city and state leaders to expand access to high-quality public school options and improve academic outcomes for all students. With more than two decades of experience in advocacy, organizing, and leadership development, Simone brings a deep commitment to equity and systems change.

Before joining City Fund, Simone was the founding Executive Director of GAIN, one of the country’s largest leadership development and talent recruitment initiatives. Under her leadership, GAIN reached over 40,000 members and delivered training and curriculum across 43 states, equipping new leaders with the tools to drive change in their communities. She has also served as a lead facilitator in change management, workshop design, and executive training for nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups nationwide.

Simone’s expertise has held positions at AARP, Black Economic Alliance, Educators for Excellence, the National Women’s Law Center, and the Reflective Democracy Campaign. She has served as a senior advisor to local leaders and state legislators on policy and strategy, with a focus on education and equity issues. A veteran of four presidential and U.S. Senate campaigns, Simone began her career in the Clinton Administration at the White House and brings more than 20 years of experience in adult learning and advocacy.

She holds a Master’s in Leadership from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and is a certified Executive Coach through George Washington University. Simone has been featured in CNN, MSNBC, The Boston Globe, and The Atlantic. She continues to mentor rising leaders and advocate for inclusive systems of learning and opportunity.

Originally from Kansas City, she now lives in Houston, Texas, with her daughter, Isabella Dianne.

Steven Cruz is a seasoned communications strategist with expertise in philanthropy, public policy, and digital advocacy. As Director of Communications at City Fund, Steven brings the organization’s communications strategy to life, amplifying the work of local leaders transforming public education systems across the country.

Prior to City Fund, Steven led communications at Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE), supporting a coalition of over 50,000 policymakers, advocates, and elected officials working to expand opportunities for all students. With extensive experience in advertising, digital advocacy, and political campaigns, Steven also played a pivotal role at Stand Together, where he led digital operations to engage and mobilize key stakeholders, advancing policy advocacy and securing legislative victories at the local, state, and federal levels.

A recognized thought leader in digital media and public policy, Steven frequently shares his expertise in both English and Spanish-language media. In 2019, he founded the Institute for Science, Media + Technology at Florida International University, a philanthropic initiative focused on enhancing the public’s understanding of science and technology in public affairs.

Steven holds a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Florida International University and a Master’s in Public Administration from The George Washington University. He lives with his husband, Kristien, their twins, William and Penelope, and their dogs, Porto & Rio.

Tara Marlovits is the Vice President of Investor Relations at City Fund, where she leads the organization’s fundraising and development strategy, ensuring the resources needed to advance City Fund’s mission of expanding access to high-quality public education.

Before joining City Fund, Tara was a founding team member of Uncommon Schools, where she played a pivotal role in the organization’s growth and impact. Most recently, she served as Chief External Officer, overseeing fundraising, marketing, communications, media, enrollment, and external strategy. Earlier in her career at Uncommon, Tara was Chief Operating Officer for the New York City region and launched the network’s first co-ed elementary school in Brooklyn in 2006. Over her 16-year tenure, she helped expand Uncommon from nine to 52 schools, serving 19,000 students. Her career in education began in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she helped found an alternative high school for students from low-income neighborhoods.

Tara earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School. She also holds a Certificate in Business Excellence from Columbia Business School and is a Pahara Fellow. Tara serves as Chair of the Board of New Jersey Students Succeed, an education advocacy organization. She lives in Brooklyn with her teenage daughter, Ella, and their goldendoodle, Archie.

Tyler Whitmire is a Partner at City Fund, where she works with local leaders across the country to expand access to high-quality public school options and drive systemic improvements in urban education. With two decades of experience in political advocacy, community organizing, and education policy, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening the political and advocacy infrastructure of the education reform movement.

For the last twenty years, Tyler has led efforts to build durable political and advocacy infrastructure that supports education reform. She has extensive experience in electoral work, candidate development, lobbying, and grassroots organizing, helping to shape policy environments that support school choice and education equity. As the founder of the community-organizing wing of the California Charter School Association, she helped transform the organization into a powerful political force at both the state and local levels.

Tyler began her career as a community organizer in Portland, Oregon, where she developed grassroots engagement strategies that continue to inform her work today. She currently serves on the boards of AZ Leads, Futuro San Antonio, and Charter Schools Now, supporting initiatives that expand education opportunities for students nationwide.

She is a graduate of Brown University and lives in Sacramento, California, with her husband, two children, and two dogs.