Ed Chang is redefinED atlanta’s Founding Executive Director. For over 20 years, Ed has worked as a champion for high-quality public schools. Chang began his career as a physical therapist before entering the education profession as a 7th-grade science teacher. He spent five years teaching at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Southeast Atlanta before going on to found KIPP STRIVE Academy in 2009. Following this, Ed focused on coaching and strategy for school leaders and districts across the country. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. Chang holds a master’s degree in secondary science from Mercer University and a Certificate for Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from National Louis University.
Executive Director
Tyler Burrell is the Director of Operations at redefinED atlanta. As Director of Operations, she will integrate and strengthen org-wide work streams, while maintaining the organization's core values. By getting this right, redefinED atlanta will be able to consistently maximize resources that support the critical work of educational equity and community advocacy.
Tyler began her career in the nonprofit sector as an event coordinator for Powered by Professionals, specializing in helping nonprofit organizations raise awareness about their cause through fundraising and events.
Six years ago, Tyler began her journey in education as the principal’s assistant for Achievement First East Brooklyn High School. In this role, she discovered her passion for school-based operations and leadership, then quickly started her journey as Director of School Operations. With a proven track record of driving individual and organizational growth, Tyler has continued to ground her work in the experience and voice of students, staff, and families.
Tyler is a Brooklyn native and graduated from CUNY Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing.
Director of Operations
Emily Castillo León was the Founder and Head of School of Ethos Classical. As the Founder and Head of School, she led Ethos from concept inception to execution, with Ethos now serving over 450 scholars in southwest Atlanta. She has a proven track record of transformative academic outcomes for scholars in district and charter schools. As the founding assistant principal of KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School, she led the humanities team to the highest scores in KIPP network history on the NWEA MAP Reading Assessment and scholars demonstrating growth in the 99th percentile on the Tennessee English I End of Course Exam.
Emily began her career in education as a high school English teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. As Lead English II Teacher, she led her scholars, and her team to a 92% overall pass rate on the state writing assessment, positioning her school as the third-highest achieving of 21 high schools in the district.
Emily has also served as Manager and then Director of Teacher Leadership Development with Teach For America where she modeled best practices with managers and teachers and led a cohort of first-year English teachers to “significantly exceed growth” on Common Core-aligned state assessments. Before founding Ethos, she was a fellow with the highly selective Building Excellent Schools Fellowship. Emily received a bachelor’s degree in English and communications from Wake Forest University.
In her new role, Emily will support the execution of redefinED atlanta’s school growth strategy. This position will play a vital role in the start-up of new schools, and school expansion and provide resources and guidance to school and district leaders and governance entities.
As the senior director of schools, she will foster collaboration and accountability and stand with the community to hold the bar for quality and excellence.
Senior Director of Schools
Dennis has nearly a decade’s worth of experience in marketing and public relations. He’s developed marketing and communications strategies for household names such as Disney; L’Oreal; Warner Bros. Pictures; RA Sushi; Points of Light and BMW. Dennis began cutting his teeth in marketing working at the mid-sized multicultural agency, Matlock ADPR in Atlanta, Ga.
Under the guidance of senior leadership, he began developing and executing media relations, public relations and social media strategies for clients that included 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Youth Entrepreneurs Georgia; Macy’s; Koch Industries; Publix and Georgia-Pacific.
From there he transitioned into the world of tech as an account executive where he managed the day-to-day PR activities at a boutique marketing agency working with startups and fintech companies headquartered in Atlanta’s Transaction Alley.
All of his previous experiences have led him to a fulfilling career in nonprofit. Dennis currently serves as the communications director for redefinED atlanta. in Atlanta, Ga. In his current post, he oversees all internal and external communications, brand communications, social media execution, content creation as well as PR and media relations for the organization.
Dennis is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Georgia Chapter and the Black Public Relations Society of Atlanta (BPRS).
A graduate of East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., he holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. In his spare time, Dennis enjoys volunteering in his community and advocates for social and racial equality.
Communications Director
Executive Assistant
Dariun MaxwellDariun Maxwell is the Program and Operations Associate at redefinED atlanta. Previously, he worked as an estimator for DH Pace Company.
He began his career as a middle school special education teacher in Williamson County Schools (Tennessee). Maxwell also worked as a special education teacher in Marietta City Schools.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education.
Programs & Operations Associate
Adah Pittman-DeLanceyAdah Pittman-DeLancey is the Vice President of Impact and External Relations. Her career in marketing and communications reflects a passion for respecting and celebrating cultural intersections through political advocacy, public education, and storytelling. Recognized nationally for her commitment to equity, she was named an Emerging Black LGBTQ leader by the National Black Justice Coalition in partnership with the White House Office of Public Engagement, and also earned an Environmental Leader’s Project of the Year Award on behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs of America in partnership with Samsung. Prior to joining redefnED atlanta, she worked with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition developing advocacy campaigns for equitable infrastructure. She also served as the Director of Marketing Academic Success at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, leading the marketing strategy for there education programs and portfolio of STEAM corporate and foundation partnerships. Pittman-Delancey holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Florida State University.
Vice President of Impact & External Relations
Angira Sceusi is the Vice President-Chief of Staff at redefinED atlanta. Previously, she worked as a high school math and computer science teacher in the Houston Independent School District where she earned a United States Congressional Recognition for her work in STEM teaching. She also served as Director of Finance and Director of Talent Initiatives at YES Prep Public Schools in Houston. Sceusi began her career as a financial analyst and spent 10 years working in energy finance. She co-led Royal Bank of Canada’s U.S. oil and gas origination business before entering the education profession. Sceusi holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in information systems management from Carnegie Mellon University. She also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the Broad Center for the Management of School Systems.
Vice President – Chief of Staff
Most recently Lee served as the CEO/Scout Executive of the W.D. Boyce Council headquartered in Peoria Ill from 2018 to 2021. Serving 14 counties in Central Ill. With Service Centers in Peoria and Bloomington Ill. Providing Scouting experiences for 7,500 youth members collaborating with 275 community organizations. Leading a team of 24 professionals and over 2,000 volunteers, while overseeing an annual operating budget of 3 million dollars.
Prior to his role as CEO Lee served as Director of National Alliances for the Boy Scouts of America in Irving, Texas.
Under Lee’s visionary leadership and direction, the National Alliances team provided resources, provisions, and support for the expansion of national relationships with educational, community, and faith-based organizations. His team also provided training and direct support to local councils throughout the nation. Focusing on new-unit development through initiatives and collaborations. In 2018 there were nearly 100,000 chartered organizations serving 2.4 million youth.
Lee held the office of Chief Operating Officer for the Simon Kenton Council, BSA in Columbus Ohio where he established a track record of innovation and integrating diversity.
He has a history of community engagement including serving on the campaign cabinet of the Heart of Illinois United Way, the Board of Directors and Investment Committee of P.R.A.Y. a national bible based religious emblems organization headquartered in St. Louis Mo. He and his wife Paulla are Founding sponsors of ART Inc. an organization geared towards mentoring and celebrating young artist in under resourced communities. Lee has serves as a guest instructor for Lincoln College in Lincoln IL. And has also been published in the National Urban Leagues State of Black America publication.
Lee is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a member and volunteer of St. Paul Baptist Church. Lee is a graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor Arts degree in political science and history. Lee’s wife Paulla is a talented educator with a master’s degree in administration. They are blessed with three children: Janel, Lee III, and Landon.
Director, Donor Engagement
Mary-Kate Starkel is the Director of Development at redefinED atlanta. A seasoned nonprofit professional, Starkel has spent 15 years working on behalf of educational and youth serving organizations in program management and resource development roles, including positions that required the management of federal, state, and local contracts. Her most recent previous position was Associate Director with Horizons Atlanta, a six-week summer learning program serving over 1000 Atlanta area students. Starkel is an Atlanta native and graduated from Georgia State University with both her Bachelors of Social Work and Masters of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management.
Vice President of Development
Denesha Thompson PresseyDenesha Thompson is the Director of Public Engagement and Advocacy at redefined atlanta. She has spent her career in education as an advocate and social justice champion.
Denesha has an uncompromising view that all students can learn and succeed, given a positive learning atmosphere that welcomes curiosity, encourages
innovative thinking, enhances student confidence through the cultivation and affirmation
of culture and inclusion.
Previously, she served as a classroom teacher, teacher leader and family engagement
liaison with KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools. She has introduced and implemented social emotional learning curriculum to support teachers in creating differentiated behavior
plans based upon behavior trends. She also has established and coached teachers on
restorative justice daily routines which aided in the increase of mediation and conflict
resolution over out of school suspension.
Denesha has received recognition for her work in education and social justice. She was admitted into the Philadelphia Chapter of New Leaders Council and the KIPP Philadelphia Schools Emerging Leaders Program. She is also the Co-Founder of Speak
Up Lace Em up, a community policing initiative.
Denesha is a native of Atlanta, GA and a proud product of Atlanta Public Schools. She
is also a graduate of Howard University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Political Science. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School
of Education. She also holds a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Leadership from
American University. While at American University, Denesha had the opportunity to
develop a foundational set of tools to support educational leaders within the Rhode
Island Department of Education to make better budget and resources allocation
decisions.
Director, Public Policy & Engagement
Ayana L. Gabriel has more than ten years of experience in planning and executing complex projects across varied cross-functional teams. She has a passion for improving opportunities through education and civic leadership. As a program officer for the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, she manages more than $1.5 million in education grant funding. She worked as a chemical engineer before becoming a teacher in Atlanta Public Schools and then working at Teach for America, where she consulted on diversity and equity. She has served as president of the Westview Community Organization, and she is community representative for the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. Gabriel holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Georgia Tech.
Vice President, Community Impact
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Kim Eileen Anderson has spent her career leading dialogue, advancing change and convening partners who are committed to empowering marginalized people. She was CEO of Families First, senior director for BoardWalk Consulting and executive director of AID Atlanta. A former attorney for Alston & Bird, Anderson was general counsel of Grady Health System, vice president and assistant general counsel for Magellan Health Systems and senior legal counsel for the Atlanta Housing Authority. Anderson serves on the boards of KIPP Metro Atlanta, Partners for Home and the Supreme Court of Georgia’s Committee on Justice for Children. Anderson holds a law degree from Columbia University and a bachelor of arts in psychology and sociology from Oberlin College.
Principal
Chrysalis Labs
Perri strives to create communities of respect in schools and neighborhoods through educational workshops with students, teachers/staff, parents/caregivers, and community members.
The goal of the work is to create inclusive, diverse, and brave environments by naming our intersecting identities, exploring and taking ownership of our explicit and implicit biases, dismantling positive and negative stereotypes, and acknowledging all levels of power and privilege.
She is an Atlanta Public Schools graduate, a graduate of American University, an anti-bias facilitator with the Anti-Defamation League, an ACTivator with ACT Consulting group, a member of VOX Teen Communications’ board of directors, and a pop-culture enthusiast.
Community Volunteer & Facilitator
Anti-Defamation League
Curley M. Dossman, Jr. is president of the Georgia-Pacific Foundation and vice president of community affairs at Georgia-Pacific. He oversees the company’s community-based programs nationwide and the foundation’s philanthropic giving. Prior to joining Georgia-Pacific in 1994, he was state vice president, government affairs for AT&T. He is active in many organizations including past board chair of the Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals, board member of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and member of the Community and Government Affairs Advisory Council for Atlanta Committee for Progress. Dossman holds a law degree from Washington University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College.
President
Georgia-Pacific Foundation
Chip Gross is a managing director of BrightHouse, a Boston Consulting Group company. Chip has extensive experience in leading the development of innovation initiatives along with helping leading companies unearth and maximize their corporate purpose and strategic “why.” He has worked in the field of innovation since the early days of digital and has a deep knowledge base developed through both agency and corporate leadership roles. He has worked in the automotive and transportation, media and publishing, retail, ecommerce, advertising, and telecommunications industries; and worked with industry leaders on corporate purpose, digital strategy, customer experience, and new product design.Immediately prior to joining BrightHouse, Chip worked at Hearst Communications for Car & Driver Magazine, as Director, Digital Product Portfolio. His past experience also includes establishing and leading the Atlanta design studio for global agency AKQA, Client Partner at Razorfish, and innovation roles at UPS and IBM.
Managing Director
Work & Co
CEO & Founding MOM
Inspired MOM
Dena Kimball serves as the redefinED atlanta board chair. She is executive director of The Kendeda Fund and has been a leader in convening local foundations around education reform issues for the past three years. Before joining The Kendeda Fund in 2014, Kimball served as vice president of network support for Teach for All and the vice president of alumni affairs and deputy vice president of admissions for Teach for America. Kimball holds a master’s degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Emory University.
Executive Director
Kendeda Fund
Staci Lynch is an independent philanthropy consultant. Prior to her current role, she managed a robust portfolio of donor-advised funds for the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Before joining the Foundation, Lynch worked for Fulton County Schools and The Ron Clark Academy. She serves on the advisory board of the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Institute for Philanthropy and Service Learning at the Westminster Schools and the advisory board of the Atlanta Speech School. She is a German Marshall Memorial Fellow and a graduate of LEAD Atlanta. Lynch holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree from Columbia University.
Independent Philanthropy Consultant
Lita Ugarte Pardi is the Vice President, Community at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, where she leads the Foundation’s efforts to strengthen the region’s nonprofits. In this position, she oversees the Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking efforts and college scholarship program. In her time at the Foundation, Lita has focused on education and youth development grantmaking and led various partnerships to support metro Atlanta’s residents. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2003, Lita worked at The Impact! Group, a housing agency in Gwinnett County, and at the Latin American Association, a social services nonprofit serving Atlanta’s Latino community. Lita is an alumna of the Council on Foundation’s Career Pathways Class of 2013 and Leadership Atlanta’s LEAD Atlanta Class of 2007. Lita was also a 2004 Southeastern Council of Foundations Hull Fellow. Originally from Peru, Lita moved to the U.S. to complete high school and received her undergraduate degree from Berry College.
Programs and Knowledge Director,
PEAK Grantmaking
Chair, New Schools for New Orleans
Board Member, Teach for America – Metro Atlanta
Member, Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Reform Commission
Hunter Pierson is a vice president at Goldman Sachs & Co, where he manages the assets of foundations, endowments and families across the Southeast. He previously served as executive director for Teach for America – Northern California. He began his career as a Teach for America corps member, teaching sixth grade. He is currently a board member at Teach for America – Atlanta and board chair of New Schools for New Orleans. He serves on Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Reform Commission in Georgia. Pierson holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Harvard University.
Vice President
Goldman Sachs
Geri Thomas was Chief Diversity Officer and Georgia State President for Bank of America, where her impact on diversity and inclusion policies drew national recognition. She founded GPT Consultants to partner with leading organizations to provide strategic vision and thought leadership in global human resources, diversity and inclusion, and staffing. She received the 2016 Ruby Award from the Center for Talent Innovation for her work in diversity. In 2014, she received the Firestarter Award from Re:Gender. She serves on the boards of the Georgia State Foundation, Georgia Tech and Executive Leadership Council. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science from the College of Public and Urban Affairs at Georgia State University.
Chief Diversity Officer and Georgia State President
Bank of America
(Retired)
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