Meet the Team

Board Chair

David O’Connell (he/him) most recently served as the Vice President of Sales and Customer Success at Free Agency, which provides agency representation to top and emerging tech talent, helping them to find, win and succeed at top-of-market roles. David previously spent 5 years working at Compass real estate leading the strategic growth efforts for the NYC and Dallas markets, M&A and partnership efforts for the New Business Team and serving as Chief of Staff to Compass' Founder and CEO through its $7B IPO. During his time practicing law at the global law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom and two other New York City based law firms, he represented Fortune 500 companies and international nonprofit organizations across M&A, corporate governance and reputational matters. He also served as Board Chair of Brooklyn Community Services, one of New York City's oldest and largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian social service providers.

Board Vice-Chair

Rafa Pérez-Segura (he/him) is the Education Director of Mi Casita Bilingual Preschool in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. He was previously a teacher of dual language Kindergarten at Heketi Community Charter school in Mott Haven and a founding second grade learning specialist at KIPP NJ. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and his Masters in Elementary Education from Stanford University. Rafa works with organizations to develop relational cultural practices, especially in the context of education spaces.

Leslie Rich (she/her) is currently the Commercial Controller for North America at Air France. Leslie holds a Bachelor's degree in Global & International Studies from SUNY Oswego and brings a wealth of expertise to the charter school sector. Most recently Leslie was a Client Manager with EdTec, where she provided executive-level accounting and financial operations support to five New York City charter schools. Leslie's six-year tenure as Controller at Leaders In Our Neighborhood Charter School (LION) highlights her exceptional skills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Leslie adeptly managed the transition to a fully remote operational environment and the administration of ESSER federal funds. Leslie’s previous role as a Financial Manager at Charter School Business Management (CSBM) further underscores her proficiency in offering senior-level accounting support to school leaders. Prior to her work in charter schools, Leslie significantly contributed to the nonprofit sector serving as Assistant Director of Finance at Up2Us Sports, Grant Accountant at Educational Alliance, and Assistant Controller at Community Counseling & Mediation, where she ensured that financial operations effectively supported the missions of these community-oriented organizations.

Board Secretary

Beck Zucker (he/him) is an assistant law clerk at the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department. He was previously a staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society of New York City. He received his bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and his juris doctor from The George Washington University Law School. He is also a board member of the National Trans Bar Association.

Trustee

Candace Hurley (she/her) is a dedicated educator with over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience and a comprehensive career dedicated to empowering students and fostering resilient learning communities. At CBHS For Health Professions in Brooklyn, New York, as the Dean of Students, she improved student behavior, supported teachers, conducted student mediation, and enhanced family engagement. Recognized as an NYC Bernard Cohen High School Teacher/UFT Award recipient, Candace has developed culturally relevant lessons, mentored new teachers, and facilitated a range of educational workshops. Her accolades include the NYC Teacher of the Year Award at Clara Barton High School for Health Professions, where she supported student teachers and led curriculum development. Candace's commitment to justice, equity, and community building, combined with her expertise in curriculum development and student support, makes her an invaluable asset to the educational landscape and a driving force in empowering future generations.

Trustee

Julie L. Shapiro (she/her) is a nonprofit leader working at the intersection of education, youth development, and workforce development. Most recently, as Senior Vice President of Strategy, Policy, and External Affairs at TNTP (formerly The New Teacher Project), Julie was responsible for operationalizing the organization’s broader vision, strategy and goals connecting education and economic and social mobility. Julie previously served as Chief Executive Officer of The Fund for Public Schools in New York City, where she led public-private partnerships with the philanthropic, business, and nonprofit communities and secured critical investments for education priorities that advanced the City’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda. These investments enabled the NYC Department of Education to pilot innovative projects, accelerate and scale promising, outcome-driven initiatives and respond strategically to emerging needs across the City’s 1,800 public schools. Prior to this role, Julie served as Executive Director of The Door, an internationally recognized youth development agency providing a comprehensive range of integrated services for 11,000 New York City youth annually. Julie spearheaded a decade of growth in every program area, more than tripling the operating budget from $10.5 million - $36 million. Under Julie’s leadership, The Door launched Broome Street Academy, New York City’s only charter high school that prioritizes foster care and homeless youth, added two supportive housing sites, significantly increased its legal services for immigrant youth, and expanded to the South Bronx with the Bronx Youth Center.  Julie also worked for eight years as a Senior Vice President at Seedco, a national nonprofit intermediary that works with local partners to create economic opportunities for disadvantaged job seekers, workers, and entrepreneurs. There, she led the development, management, and growth of national workforce development programs.  Julie received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Trustee

With extensive nationwide experience in Special Education, Anna Lemmons (she/her) is a seasoned educator currently serving as a subject matter expert for the New York City Department of Education’s Special Education Data Management System. Her previous role as the Special Education Director at Success Academy Charter Schools, showcased her leadership in redesigning the program for inclusivity and reflecting industry trends. She adeptly implemented scalable systems of Response to Intervention and Special Education data management across forty-seven K-12 schools. She is most proud of her contributions to social-emotional learning support structures and mental health initiatives. As a former teacher in both public and charter settings and a founding leader of a charter school, Anna brings firsthand insight into Special Education as both a teacher and an administrator. Anna holds a Master of Science in Special Education from Dominican University and a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from Texas State University. She holds a Professional Educator License in Illinois with advanced credentials as a Learning Behavior Specialist (Type 27 LBS I, Type 28 LBS II). Her board experience includes founding membership in the Teach For America New York PRISM board, dedicated to supporting LGBTQ educators across New York City.

Trustee

Noah Reinhardt (he/him) has worked in New York City independent schools for the past 25 years, serving in various roles from teacher to Head of School. For much of his career, Noah worked at the Packer Collegiate Institute, a PK-12 private school in Brooklyn Heights, first as a teacher, then Admissions Director, and finally as Packer’s Middle School Division Head and Assistant Head of School. After thirteen years as a Division Head, Noah left Packer to serve as the Head of School at Blue School in Lower Manhattan. Noah was responsible for setting and enacting the strategic and operational vision for the school, and, alongside the Board of Trustees, engaging in the planning, fundraising, and budget management to ensure mission delivery and fiduciary responsibility for the school. Noah is currently working in DEI coaching and facilitation with Haakmat Associates, LLC, and supporting the admission efforts at the Harvey School in Katonah, NY. Noah’s undergraduate degree is from Yale and his Master’s degree in School Leadership from the Klingenstein Foundation at Teachers’ College, Columbia University. He lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with his wife and four children, ages 10-16.