KIPP NYC

Hector Badillo, Technology Coordinator
Hector joined the KIPP NYC Shared Services team in 2006 as Technology Coordinator with the goal of making technology more of a useful tool for teachers and less as a burden. Before officially joining KIPP NYC, Hector worked as a consultant and provided services to small businesses and KIPP NYC’s very own KIPP STAR College Prep.

Ben Beinfeld, Director of Technology
Ben joined KIPP NYC in 2008 as the Director of Technology, where he is responsible for the support, management and planning of the technology needs of the schools. Ben came to KIPP with over 10 years IT management experience largely with non-profit organizations and city government agencies. Ben enjoys playing music with his nearly 2 year old son August and has aspirations to become a great cook.

Jessica Butler, Speech Pathologist
Jessica joined KIPP NYC in July 2010 as a Speech-Language Pathologist at KIPP Academy Elementary, KIPP Academy, and KIPP NYC College Prep. She recently graduated from Hunter College with a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. Prior to pursuing her graduate studies, Jessica spent two years teaching in San Mateo Ixtatan, located in the Cuchumatan mountains of Guatemala. She also holds a B.S. in Communication Sciences from Nazareth College of Rochester.

Nirmala Chilamkurti, KIPP NYC Operations Manager
Nimmi joined KIPP NYC’s Shared Services Team in July 2010 as Operations Manager. Prior to joining KIPP NYC, Nimmi served as a 2007 Teach for America corps member. She taught 7th Grade Mathematics for three years at MS 247 in Manhattan. She holds a B.A. in Public Policy from Duke University, where she was a Robertson Scholar. Nimmi also has a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Pace University.

Jack Chorowsky, Chief Operating Officer
Jack leads the Shared Services Team's efforts - across Data, Development, Finance, HR, Operations, Recruitment and Technology - to support the mission and operation of KIPP NYC's schools. Prior to joining KIPP, Jack worked as a lawyer in Washington, D.C., as an educational publishing and digital media executive, and most recently as an investor in media, education and tech companies.

Kim David, Recruitment Manager
As a recruitment manager, Kim is responsible for ensuring that KIPP NYC continues to attract and hire excellent staff members as we grow as a region. Prior to joining KIPP, Kim worked on the Teach For America Admissions team as an applicant communications associate and the Teach For America • New York City Regional team as the corps communications manager. A 2001 Phoenix Teach For America corps member, she taught 5th grade in Phoenix’s Roosevelt School District. While completing her corps member commitment, Kim earned a MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. Kim received a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Amber Field, Principal, KIPP NYC
Amber has been with KIPP NYC for seven years. In 2003, Amber became the founding fifth grade reading teacher of KIPP STAR College Prep Charter School. She also served as the fifth grade team leader from 2004-2006. In August 2005, Amber was one of ten KIPP teachers to receive the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2006, she transitioned into a leadership role, serving as the school’s assistant principal in charge of the English department, Saturday school, and the daily after school program. The following year, Amber became the principal of KIPP STAR and led the school for three years. In July 2010, Amber transitioned into the role of working with all of KIPP NYC by heading up New Teacher Development and coordinating KIPP NYC professional development days. Currently, she resides in Harlem with her husband, Robert.

Vanessa Flores, Human Resources Associate
Vanessa joined the KIPP Shared Services Team in March 2010 joining the Human Resources team. She has previously worked in Human Resources in a charter school management company as well as in the publishing industry. She received a BA in Telecommunications and a BA in Spanish from The Pennsylvania State University.

Kevin Flynn, Director of Operations
Before coming to KIPP NYC, Kevin worked as an Accountability Analyst at the SUNY Charter Schools Institute where he was responsible for collecting and analyzing student achievement data for the 70+ SUNY authorized charter schools across New York State. Prior to working at SUNY, he taught 7th and 8th grade science at KIPP 3D Academy in Houston, Texas. As a 2002 Houston Corps Member for Teach for America he also taught 7th grade science in the Houston Independent School District. Kevin has a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Cornell University and a Master’s in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership Studies from Stanford University.

Rebecca Frank, Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations
Rebecca joined KIPP NYC’s Shared Services Team in the Summer of 2009. As the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations she is responsible for securing and cultivating relationships with corporate and foundation partners. Prior to joining KIPP NYC, Rebecca worked for Teach For America’s New York City regional office after teaching 6th grade English for two years as a part of Teach For America’s 2005 New York City corps. Rebecca holds a B.A. from Tufts University and a M.S.T in Elementary Education from Pace University.

Rachel Heuisler, Manager of Teaching and Learning and 6th Grade Writing Teacher, KIPP Infinity
Rachel joined KIPPInfinity in 2006 as the founding sixth grade writing teacher. Previously, she taught fifth and seventh grade at P.S. 7 in East Harlem and pre-kindergarten at the International School of Brussels. She assisted with principal selection for New Leaders for New Schools. She is currently a mentor teacher and KIPP NYC Manager of Teaching and Learning. In this capacity, she coordinates professional development opportunities for KIPP NYC and our growing network of partnering educators. Rachel holds a B.A. in African American Studies from Duke University and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Hunter College.

Surrena Hooks, Payroll Administrator
Surrena has over sixteen years working in the field of payroll administration. She has worked in various industries; both for profit and non profit. She recieved her Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Management w/minor in HR Management from Kaplan University. A life-long learner, Surrena is currently pursuing an MBA in Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University. A member of both the American Payroll Association and The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, this fall Surrena will be testing to receive the Certified Payroll Professional designation.

Meera Jain, Financial Analyst
Meera joined the KIPP Shared Services Team in 2009 as a Financial Analyst. In this role, Meera helps develop the operating budgets, prepares financial reports for primary constituencies, and monitors the overall fiscal health of the KIPP NYC schools and programs. Prior to joining the Shared Services Team, Meera served as a Senior Associate at Moody’s Investors Service where she analyzed real estate investment trusts and rated structure finance mortgage bonds. In addition, Meera is a certified adult and children’s yoga instructor and teaches yoga to the KIPP Infinity middle school students. Meera is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, where she earned a B.A. in economics and growth and structure of cities.

Isatou Jobarteh, Staff Accountant
Isatou joined KIPP NYC as the Staff Accountant in July 2006. She is responsible for supporting the delivery of accounting services and ensuring fiscal responsibility on all levels. Prior to joining KIPP NYC, she worked at the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions as a Fiscal Assistant. Isatou received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration – Accounting from Baruch College.

Casey Karel, Corporate & Foundation Relations
Casey joined KIPP NYC in 2005 as Director of Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations. She is now a part time grant writer, with the goal of maintaining KIPP NYC’s current portfolio of corporate and foundation donors. Prior to joining KIPP NYC, she spent seventeen years at Credit Suisse, most recently as Executive Director of their corporate foundation. Ms. Karel has a Bachelor's Degree from Marist College.

Miho Kubagawa, Recruitment Manager
Miho Kubagawa is joining the recruitment team after three years at KIPP: Infinity Charter School as a founding seventh grade math teacher. Aside from teaching, she also served as grade level chair and as coach of the math team, which has won several first place trophies in city-wide charter school competitions. She has a B.S. in economics from Duke University and a M.S.T. in adolescent education from Pace University. She is also a 2007 alumnus of the Teach for America NYC corps.

Carol Lee, Recruitment Manager
Carol joined KIPP NYC in 2005 as Operations Manager. She is now a Recruitment Manager, supporting the hiring needs of KIPP NYC’s schools and programs. Prior to joining KIPP NYC, she was Operations Manager at RISE (Resources for Indispensable Schools and Educators) in San Francisco. Carol has a Bachelor’s degree in History and Certificate in Musical Performance from Princeton University. She grew up in Houston and loves cooking, baking, and eating food.

Dave Levin, Co-Founder and Superintendent
Dave began his teaching career in Houston, Texas in 1992 as part of Teach For America. In 1994, Dave teamed up with another teacher, Mike Feinberg, to co-found the Knowledge is Power Program, KIPP. The following year, Dave and Frank Corcoran moved to New York City and co-founded the KIPP Academy in the South Bronx. KIPP has since grown into a nationwide network of 82 public charter schools serving over 20,000 kids in 19 states and the District of Columbia. In 2007, Dave, along with Norman Atkins from Uncommon Schools and Dacia Toll from Achievement First, also co-founded Teacher U, an innovative Master’s program for new teachers that launched in partnership with Hunter College. Dave loves teaching, reading, baking pies, and playing basketball. He lives in New York City with his wife, Nikki, their son, Max, and their dog, Athena.

Jamee Lynch, Leadership Fellow
Jamee joins KIPP NYC after working as a school leader for 10 years in Wake County, NC. She most recently served as the principal at East Wake (High) School of Integrated Technology in Wendell, NC. She also served as principal at Hodge Road Elementary School and opened Sanford Creek Elementary School, both in Wake County, NC. She has worked at every level – elementary, middle, and high school – serving as an assistant principal at Vance Elementary School and Selma Middle School, as well as teaching English at Lejeune High School (Camp Lejeune, NC) and Garner High School in Wake County. One of her proudest moments was being named the Wake County (NC) Principal of the Year in 2006 and the North Central Region (NC) Principal of the Year in 2007. Jamee received her B.A. in Journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill; her M.Ed. from the University of South Alabama; her Master of School Administration from Fayetteville State University; and her Doctor of Education from NC State University. She and her husband John are the parents of one daughter, Victoria, who will soon graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Ered Massie, Director of Human Resources
Ered joined KIPP NYC in October 2008 and has focused on human resources. She also advises the KIPP Infinity Journalism Team. Prior to joining KIPP NYC, Ered was a Talent and Operations Manager at Digitas. She was also an NYC ’02 TFA Corps Member, teaching second grade at P.S. 9 in the Bronx. Ered has a B.S. in Psychology from Tulane University and a Master’s in Teaching from Pace University.

Carrie Mauer, Senior Director of Operations
Carrie joined KIPP NYC’s Shared Services Team in July 2008 as the Director of School Operations. In this role, Carrie provides support and training to school-based operations staff, and oversees public funding and compliance for the KIPP NYC network. Before coming to KIPP NYC, she worked for the Providence School Department overseeing fundraising and strategic planning for the district’s fifty public schools. Carrie has a Bachelor’s of Art in Political Science from Brown University and a Master’s of Public Affairs and Urban Planning from Princeton University.

Christina McDonald, Executive Assistant to Dave Levin, Jack Chorowsky and Quinton Vance, Office Manager for SST
Christina McDonald joined the KIPP NYC Shared Services Team in 2008. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Belmont University. Christina taught music privately and in the Nashville public school system before moving to New York.

Juan Mejia, Systems Administrator
Juan joined KIPP NYC in 2008 as a Technology Associate and is now the Systems Administrator. Prior to joining KIPP NYC, he was a Lead Technician at Network Outsource for two years. He recently discovered the wonders of kayaking, skiing/snowboarding, rock climbing and whitewater rafting.

Kerry Mullins, Director of Recruiting
Prior to her current role as Director of Recruiting at KIPP NYC, Kerry worked in the executive/legal recruiting industry for more than eight years, most recently a Director of Business Development for a national legal search firm. Kerry earned her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and her B.A. from Hofstra University. Prior to law school Kerry danced professionally with prestigious, small modern dance companies in New York City.

Kaya Stone, Managing Director, Operations, HR, and Technology
Kaya is currently the Managing Director, Operations & Technology at KIPP NYC and an alumnus of the Broad Residency in Urban Education. Kaya began his career at Let’s Go Travel Guides, where he spent four years as a writer, editor and ultimately Publishing Director. Since then, he’s served as Business Development Manager for SmarterTravel.com, an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the I Have a Dream Foundation in San Francisco, and an Education Pioneer with the Oakland Unified School District. Kaya is also the author of Hungry? Boston, a guide to the city’s cheap eateries. Kaya received his Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management and Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard College.

Lauren Taiclet, Associate Director of Technology
Lauren Taiclet joined KIPP NYC in June 2010 as the Associate Director of Technology. Prior to working at KIPP NYC, she worked as the Director of Technology for KIPP Philadelphia Schools. As a member of Teach For America's 2004 NYC Corps, Taiclet taught English as a Second (or sometimes third) Language and computer-based ESL in Washington Heights. In her spare time, she likes to travel, run and read.

Quinton Vance, Executive Director of KIPP NYC Elementary and Middle Schools
Prior to his current role, Quinton was the principal of KIPP Academy for six years, where he facilitated day to day school operations. Prior to becoming a principal, he taught 5th and 6th grade English Language Arts at KIPP Academy. As a 1997 New Jersey Corps Member for Teach for America he also taught 7th grade Language Arts and Kindergarten in the Newark public school district for three years. Quinton received his B.A. from the University of Oregon and his Masters from St. Peter’s College.

Craig Varsa, School Psychologist
Craig is starting his 15th year as a school psychologist. He previously worked in Calvert County, MD, Newark, NJ, and most recently at the NYC Department of Education. He holds a B.A from Clark University and an M.A from the University of Delaware. A native New Yorker, Craig lives in Manhattan with his wife and son.

Christine Vasconez, Director of Data and Student Information
Christine joined the Shared Services Team in 2008 as Data and Student Information Manager. She is now the Director of Data and Student Information, where she provides training and support to schools around KIPP NYC’s student information system, manages data reporting requirements and analyzes student achievement data and organizational metrics. Prior to joining KIPP, Christine was an Analyst at the Empowerment Schools Office at the New York City Department of Education. Ms. Vasconez earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University and a Masters in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

Charizma Williams, Director of Finance
Charizma Williams joined the KIPP NYC Shared Services Team as a Financial Analyst in March of 2008. She came to KIPP with 3 years of experience working in education both as a consultant and as a Business Analyst with a supplemental educational services firm. Before making the change to education Charizma worked in the financial services industry for several years in both New York and Philadelphia. In July of 2009 she transitioned to the role of Director of Finance for KIPP NYC. She holds a BBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Nick Wolf, Technology Associate
Nick joined the KIPP NYC Shared Services Team in January 2010, as a member of the Technology Team. He manages the KIPP NYC branch of KIPP Share, the KIPP NYC website, along with the standard tech team duties. He graduated from McGill University in 2009, with a degree in History. Prior to joining KIPP Nick worked with the Providence Public School District as a Technology Consultant and with a specialized firm as a video game tester, which is not as fun as it sounds.

Vicki Zubovic, Managing Director of Development
Vicki joined KIPP NYC in November 2008 as Managing Director of Development. Most recently, she served as the Director of Development and External Affairs at The Boys’ Club of New York where she was responsible for raising $6 million in operating funds annually and a $50 million capital campaign. As the Managing Director of Development, Vicki oversees all aspects of private fundraising to ensure that KIPP NYC’s current and future plans are supported by a stable pipeline of private funding. Vicki holds a B.A. from the University of Sydney.

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