Dana Peterson
Chief Executive Officer
Dana Peterson is the Chief Executive Officer of New Schools for New Orleans. Dana formerly served as an Assistant State Superintendent in the Louisiana Department of Education. While at the Department of Education and Recovery School District, he worked to launch the Baton Rouge Achievement Zone, a collaborative of state and district turnaround charter schools in Louisiana’s capital region. In New Orleans, Dana worked to secure public support and investment in the development of the New Orleans Career Center, a technical training hub and program for students seeking to build careers in emerging, high-demand fields. Dana Peterson is currently the board chairman of the New Orleans Career Center and is a member of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. Dana was recently appointed by Governor Edwards to serve on the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. Dana also is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Dana is a graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Tulane University with a Master of Business Administration from the Freeman School of Business. Dana lives in New Orleans with his wife Karen and they are members of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.
Holly Reid
Chief of Policy and Portfolio
Prior to joining NSNO, Holly served as the Executive Director of Policy for the Louisiana Recovery School District for six years. In this role, Holly directed a wide range of state and local policy initiatives focused on improving educational outcomes for children through promoting autonomy, accountability, and equity in New Orleans charter schools. Holly is a former Teach for America Corps Member (Rio Grande Valley ’06) and holds a B.A. in Political Science from Baylor University and a J.D. from Tulane University.
Alex Jarrell
Chief Innovation Officer
Alex is the Chief Innovation Officer at New Schools for New Orleans. Previously, Alex was the Principal at KIPP Central City Academy, consistently the top performing middle school in the New Orleans Recovery School District. While leading KCCA, he also founded KIPP Booker T. Washington High School, working with Booker T. Washington alumni to bring back the historic New Orleans high school. Before becoming Principal, Alex taught 6th grade English. In 2011, his students achieved the highest English scores of any open enrollment school in New Orleans on the Louisiana state exam. Alex received a B.A. in History from Northwestern University, Phi Beta Kappa, and a M.S.Ed. in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania.
Laura Hawkins
Chief of Strategic Advancement
Laura Hawkins serves as the Chief of Strategic Advancement for New Schools for New Orleans. Prior to joining NSNO, Laura’s most recent role was as interim Assistant Superintendent of District Planning and Portfolio for the Louisiana Department of Education. She led the team responsible for the development of the state’s Super App System Planning Process federal funding and ESSA school improvement dollars as well as the creation of LDOE’s systems for charter school authorization, oversight, and accountability. As Deputy Chief of Staff and later Chief of Staff of the Recovery School District, Laura was responsible for managing RSD’s transformation to an all charter district and the eventual reunification process with the Orleans Parish School Board. She also previously served as the Research Manager at the Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives, writing their annual State of Public Education in New Orleans report, among other publications. Laura is a New Orleans-area native who earned a B.A. in Sociology from Tulane University, and a Master’s in Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans.
Nancia Sterling (Nan)
Chief of Schools
Before joining NSNO, Nan served as the Chief Academic Officer of New Beginnings Schools Foundation, a charter school community of two elementary schools and one high school in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, and as the principal of an elementary school in Jefferson Parish. She also formerly worked with the Recovery School District, assisting district-run schools transfer to charter operators. Nan got her teaching start as an English Language Arts teacher in the Richardson Independent School District, a suburb of Dallas, Texas, where 90% of her students mastered Texas’s reading and writing assessments. Before entering the world of education, Nan was an auditor with Ernst and Young in Houston, Texas. Nan earned a B.S. in Accounting from Southern University in her hometown of Baton Rouge, and holds a Master in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University of Arizona. Nan further obtained certificates from the following institutions: Texas Teaching Fellows of The New Teacher Project, New Leaders for New Schools, National Institute for School Leadership, and STAND Educational Leadership.
Libby Bain
Executive Director of Talent
Libby Bain is the Executive Director of Teacher Pipelines. Previously, she served as the Director of Talent at KIPP New Orleans Schools for eight years. She was responsible for leading KIPP’s recruitment efforts and working on their broader talent strategy. During that time, she oversaw a 140% increase in hiring for the network while helping to start their teacher evaluation program and launch a teacher residency. Prior to her role at KIPP, Libby spent four years working on recruitment, staffing, and new teacher training. Libby was originally a high-school special education teacher in St. Louis, Missouri. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia.
Julie Bourgeois
Executive Director of Development
Prior to joining NSNO, Julie served as Director of Development at the Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the foundation, as well as all fundraising effects. Prior to that role, Julie served as the Southeast Regional Executive Director of Leading Educators, a non-profit with the mission of preparing effective teachers to become effective middle leaders. In this role, she was responsible for program quality, fiscal health and team management across three cities. Before advancing to that position, Julie was Leading Educators’ founding Program Manager responsible for the development, planning, and execution of program learning experiences and the successful launch of new program sites in Kansas City, MO and Memphis, TN. Her diverse background includes teaching young students with Autism Spectrum Disorder; leadership coaching; and consultancy in the areas of organizational growth, strategic planning, fundraising, and the implementation of services for special needs students throughout Louisiana. Julie graduated from Georgia State University and holds an M.S.W. from Tulane University.
Grant Adolph
Executive Director of Finance
A native of New Orleans, Grant joins NSNO following more than five years in public accounting, including substantial experience auditing charter schools and non-profit organizations in the Greater New Orleans area. Grant is a licensed CPA and holds a BSM in Finance and a Master of Accounting from Tulane University.
Alvin David
Executive Director of Strategic Impact
Alvin brings experience in data analysis, consulting, and philanthropy to his role at NSNO focused on strategic investments and impact. While at the Recovery School District, he led the redesign of how public schools are funded in New Orleans, and previously managed education grantmaking at Baptist Community Ministries. Alvin earned a BA in political economics from the University of California at Berkeley, an MBA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University. He completed the Aspen Workforce Leadership Academy, and beyond the world of education you’ll find him coaching QueerFit NOLA.
Dearonda Harrison
Director of Development Strategy And Grants
A native of Georgia, DeaRonda joined NSNO with over 10 years of federal experience and 7 of those years as a grant professional. She has obtained and managed federal awards for organizations in both Georgia and D.C. to include housing, healthcare, workforce development and K-12 education. She is a member of Grant Professionals Association where she served as Chapter President for 2 years. DeaRonda obtained her Master in Business Administration from Ashford University and her Bachelor of Science from the illustrious Tuskegee University.
Kathleen Harris
Leadership Director
Kathleen is the Leadership Director at New Schools for New Orleans. Kathleen joined NSNO after 12 years serving students in NOLA charter schools. During that time, Kathleen’s experiences include Academy Principal of Andrew Wilson Charter School, Network Content Specialist in English Language Arts at InspireNOLA Charter Schools, and Instructional Coach and teacher at Alice Harte Charter School. A New Orleans native and product of high-quality public education, Kathleen graduated from Andrew Jackson High School, went on to earn a B.S. in Education from L.S.U. and a M.ED. in Educational Leadership from University of Holy Cross.
Daniel Meekins
Director of Leadership Programming
Daniel Meekins is the Director of Leadership Programming at New Schools for New Orleans. Prior to joining NSNO, Daniel served as a Director of School Support and Improvement at NOLA Public Schools. In this role, he worked extensively with network and school leaders across the city to identify and pilot solutions related to systemic barriers and challenges aligned to individual school-level goals and needs. During this time he also created and led a city-wide School Culture Collaborative to increase tools and opportunities for school-level administrators.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Daniel moved to Louisiana in 2012 as a graduate of Christopher Newport University. After jumpstarting his career in Gonzales as a special education teacher, Daniel transitioned to New Orleans to teach Social Studies at KIPP Central City Academy where his students outpaced state and district averages on standardized end of year tests by over 20 points. In 2017, Daniel became the founding Dean of Students at Booker T. Washington High School where he was charged with creating and executing the vision for student culture and operated as the building leader for external affairs.
Mary Bean
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Mary serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at New Schools for New Orleans. Prior to joining NSNO, she worked as a Communications Specialist at the Louisiana State Legislature. Before moving to South Louisiana, she taught middle school in Tulsa, OK and Shreveport, LA. Her teaching experiences drove her passion to better our state and country’s education systems and eventually led her to her current role at NSNO. Mary holds an M.B.A. from Centenary College of Louisiana and a B.S. in The Recording Industry with a Concentration in Music Business from Middle Tennessee State University.
Juanika Hogue
Director of Accounting
A native New Orleanian, Juanika attended Southern University at New Orleans, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix. After a short run as a high school math teacher, Juanika transitioned to the hospitality industry in a variety of hotel accounting positions for 15 years in both New Orleans and Las Vegas. A love for constant learning and a belief that all children deserve excellence in education, led Juanika to her current role at NSNO.
Matthew Braun
Director of Policy
Matthew Braun is the Director of Policy at NSNO. Prior to joining the NSNO team, Matt was the Assistant Director of College and Career Strategy at NOLA Public Schools, where he focused on developing and expanding high-quality opportunities for students’ postsecondary and career success. Before relocating to New Orleans in 2019, Matt worked as a Research Associate at the Center on Education Policy in Washington D.C. As a research associate, Matt helped design, create, and publish several K-12 education studies. Matt holds a B.A. in Political Science from Tulane University, a M.A. in Education Policy and Administration from the George Washington University, and is currently working towards earning his Ed.D. in Education Policy from the George Washington University.
Jahquille Ross
Director of Teacher Support
Jahquille is the Director of Teacher Support at New Schools for New Orleans. Jahquille joined NSNO after 8 years serving students in NOLA charter schools. During that time, Jahquille’s experiences include Academy Principal, Instructional Coach, & 2nd grade teacher at InspireNOLA Alice Harte Charter School. Jahquille also served in the capacity of administrative fellow at NOLA-PS, working primarily with teachers and leaders at McDonogh 35 Senior High School and Cypress Academy in the areas of teaching and learning. A New Orleans native and product of Edna Karr Senior High School. Jahquille earned a B.A. from the historical Tuskegee University, a M.A.T. from Louisiana College, and recently graduated with his Doctorate of Education in Executive Leadership from the University of Holy Cross. Jahquille is a 2014 Teach for America Corp Member. During his leisure, Jahquille is a mentor with Son of a Saint and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc.
Taylor Williams
Director of Talent
Taylor Williams is the Director of Talent at New Schools for New Orleans. Prior to joining NSNO, Taylor served as a Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Akili Academy of New Orleans. In this role, he coached and managed PK -2 grade teachers, focusing on teacher development, curriculum management, and student achievement. Before becoming a DCI, Taylor served as Director of Math Instruction, Montessori teacher, and 1st grade teacher in New Orleans, LA. Taylor began his career as a founding 1st grade teacher in a turnaround charter school in Boston, MA. This was one of three charter schools in Boston at the time. His work in Boston fueled his passion for working in charter schools. Taylor earned a B.A. in English from Morehouse College and a M. Ed. from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.
Michelle Sanches
Director of Operations
Michelle works as the Director of Operations. Before joining NSNO, she taught 5th grade math and science at Bricolage Academy. Previously, she lived in Brooklyn and worked at Brooklyn Prospect Charter Schools as a 6th grade science teacher. She received both her undergraduate degree and her master’s in teaching at New York University. Michelle is deeply interested in equity in education and is excited to work towards excellence in public schools in New Orleans.
Alexis Kedo
Director of Data Analytics
Alexis serves as the Director of Data Analytics at New Schools for New Orleans. Prior to joining NSNO, Alexis worked in the Native Achievement Programs division at the U.S. Department of Education, where she supported funding and monitoring work for two Federal grant programs. Earlier in her career, Alexis taught for seven years in public schools in the Bronx, New Orleans, and Jefferson Parish, and was a Fulbright teaching assistant for 10 months at a rural secondary school in Wamunyu, Kenya. She holds a B.A. in Political Economy from Fordham University, an M.S. in Education from St. John’s University, and a certificate in Data Science from the Flatiron School.
Danielle Sanders
Recruitment Director
Danielle serves as the Recruitment Director at New Schools for New Orleans. Prior to joining NSNO, Danielle served 4 years as the Director of Student Culture at Bricolage Academy where she managed the implementation of behavioral and social-emotional practices to support students’ well-being. Danielle also served as the Restorative Coordinator and School Counselor at Abramson Sci Academy for 3 years. Before working in schools, Danielle served as a Mental Health Professional supporting the needs of individuals and families impacted by mental illness, addiction, and incarceration throughout the city of New Orleans.
Danielle earned a B.S. from Southeastern LA University and an MHS from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.
Taylor Jackson
Director of Communications
Taylor Jackson serves as the Director of Communications for New Schools for New Orleans. Taylor joins the NSNO team following nearly five years with the City of New Orleans, where she worked in the Mayor's Office of Communications followed by the Office of Human Rights and Equity. She is a native of New Orleans and received her B.A. in International Studies and Political Science from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. After graduating, she interned for the American Federation of Teachers. From there, Taylor continued to develop her communications skillset with positions held with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Essence Festival of Culture. Her interest and passion for education and advancement that is rooted in equity led her to joining the NSNO team.
April Carter
Schools Team Coordinator
April attended the University of New Orleans. After graduating from UNO, she worked as an intern and later as an Administrative Assistant for the Recovery School District in the Curriculum Department. She was responsible for logistics, data disaggregation and assisting with the development of teacher training modules. Most recently, April worked for Choice Foundation Schools at Lafayette Academy Charter. Over the last 4 years, her work there focused on logistics, assessment data reporting, grading systems, and strategic planning.
Ayanna Robertson
Social Media Manager
Ayanna Robertson is the Social Media Manager for New Schools for New Orleans. Prior to joining NSNO, Ayanna taught English IV at George Washington Carver High School. She held that role for four years. Ayanna is a native of New Orleans and received her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Xavier University of Louisiana. While in undergrad, she was a sports reporter for The Times-Picayune where she covered high school, college, and professional sports. She also interned with WDSU and Essence Festival. After graduating, she became an Americorps City Year member and obtained a master’s degree from Relay Graduate School of Education. Her passion for the youth of New Orleans combined with her multi-media experience led her to her role within NSNO.