OUR MISSION
MCPSA’s mission is to create and protect the conditions that will enable the charter public school sector to thrive, and advance the larger goal of ensuring all Massachusetts children and families have equitable access to high-quality schools.
MEET OUR TEAM
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Tim Nicolette
Executive Director
Tim provides strategic and operational leadership for all of MCPSA’s staff, programs, and advocacy work. Tim joined the Association having worked in both the charter and district public school sectors, with specific experience in education policy and management. Prior to joining MCPSA, Tim served as President of UP Education Network. He also served as Chief of Staff to former Superintendent of Boston Public Schools (BPS) Carol Johnson as well as Deputy Chief Financial Officer for BPS. Prior to working at BPS, he was an education advisor to former Boston Mayor Tom Menino. He began his career as a strategy consultant with L.E.K. Consulting where he was elected Executive Director of Inspire, Inc. Tim holds a B.A. from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
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Erica Brown
Chief of Policy & School Supports
Erica bridges education policy and practice by advocating on behalf of the charter sector to drive state education policies while serving as the MCPSA’s programmatic leader. Prior to joining MCPSA, Erica served as a charter school teacher and leader of City on a Hill Charter Public Schools, and was a founding steering committee member of the Boston Compact. Erica holds a B.A. in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University, and an M.A. in English Language Arts Education from Tufts University.
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Oona Cook
Chief Operating Officer
Oona is responsible for managing the financial, data, talent, and board governance systems needed to sustain MCPSA’s growth and strategic initiatives. Prior to joining the Association, Oona served as managing partner providing legal services to families and children, and as COO for a national harm reduction treatment center. Oona holds a B.A from Mount Holyoke College and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
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Victoria Criado
Chief of Communications & Development
Victoria is responsible for shaping MCPSA’s internal and external communications strategy, as well as securing the financial support needed to achieve MCPSA’s mission. Prior to joining MCPSA, Victoria served as the Chief Public Affairs Officer for UP Education Network and as a Program Officer for the Office of Management & Budget during the Obama Administration. Victoria also co-founded the Border Film Project in 2005. Victoria holds a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College, and an M.P.P. from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
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Jessica Bahena
Advocacy Manager
As Advocacy Manager, Jessica develops programs to strengthen the Massachusetts charter public school voice within the political system and build relationships between charter public schools, their stakeholders, and policy makers. Before joining MCPSA, she was the Campaign Manager for Alejandra St. Guillen’s campaign for Boston City Council and, prior to that, the Massachusetts Organizing Director for Students for Education Reform. Jessica has a B.A. from the University of Utah, an M.A. from Harvard University, and is an alumna of a charter public school.
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Derya Deane
Operations Associate
As a member of the Operations Team, Derya provides administrative, technical and clerical support throughout the organization. Prior to joining the Association, Derya spent five years at Worcester Polytechnic Institute planning events, coordinating alumni and industry outreach efforts, and assisting with social media and communications campaigns.
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Michael Falcone
Chief of Government Affairs
Michael leads MCPSA’s advocacy and political initiatives and works to strengthen bipartisan and progressive political support. Prior to joining the Association, Michael served as the Director of Public Affairs for the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund/Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and as the Political Director for NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science from Boston University.
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Julia Gwynne
Director of Data and Analytics
Julia’s work includes developing and managing the data systems and analyses needed to support MCPSA’s advocacy, communications and school support objectives. Before joining the Association, Julia spent more than two decades working for the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research, most recently as the Managing Director and Senior Research Scientist. Julia holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Duke University, a Master in Education from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.
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Devin Morris
Director of Family Engagement & Organizing
Devin leads MCPSA’s efforts to build and strengthen charter public schools’ relationships with families and the community. Before joining the Association, Devin served in multiple roles at the Community Charter School of Cambridge, most recently as the Director of Student and Family Engagement, and previously served as Dean of Students at UP Education Network. Devin holds a Bachelor of Science and Marketing from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from Babson College.
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Lina Musayev
Managing Director, Capacity Building Network
Lina leads the Capacity Building Network and is responsible for overseeing statewide school support initiatives. Prior to joining the Association, she served as the Associate Director of Strategy and Growth at Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy in Rhode Island where she led the opening of a high school and the replication of an elementary school. She also served as a Manager at Deloitte Consulting. Lina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Communication from George Washington University, a Master in Public Administration from George Washington University, and a Master in Education from the Broad Center for the Management of School Systems.
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Sara Nelson
Director, Capacity Building Network
Sara provides capacity building support for charter schools in Massachusetts by creating professional development trainings and managing key strategic initiatives of the MCPSA’s regional alliances. Before joining the Association, she served as the Director of Student Support at Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School and as a Special Educator in NYC and Newton public schools. Sara has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Amherst College and a Masters of Science Education from Brooklyn College.
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Tracey Perkins
Director of Operations
Tracey works across the organization to provide operational support and manage projects for new and existing initiatives. Prior to rejoining MCPSA, Tracey was Chief of Staff at Animal Ventures, a globally distributed technology consulting firm. She was previously the Director of Administration & Project Management at MCPSA and Chief of Staff at the Institute of Contemporary Art/ Boston. Tracey has a B.A. in Art History from Colby College, an M.A. in Art History from George Washington University, and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Public & Nonprofit Management from the Boston University Questrom School of Business.
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Hoai Quach
Communications & Development Manager
Hoai works with the Chief of Communications and Development to support in the execution of MCPSA’s internal and external communications strategy to strengthen public support for charter public schools and to support the charter movement’s ability to achieve its strategic goals. Prior to joining MCPSA, Hoai served as the Communications and Marketing Specialist for UP Education Network. She holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
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Jennie Williamson
Director of Legislative Affairs
Jennie is responsible for furthering MCPSA’s advocacy agenda and strengthening bipartisan and progressive political support. Before joining MCPSA, Jennie spent 7 years working for the Massachusetts State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education and served as chief advisor to the Committee on statewide education policy issues and legislation. She also served as a Legislative Aide to Representative Alicea and as a Legislative Intern in Senator Jehlen’s office. Jennie has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Tufts University and a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Thabiti Brown
President
Thabiti joined Codman Academy Charter Public School in 2001 as the founding Humanities teacher and now serves as the Head of School. Prior to joining Codman, Thabiti taught at the Beacon School in New York and the International School of Panama. He is a recipient of the 2005 Milken Educator Award, the 2011 Lynch Fellowship for Boston school leaders, the 2014 inaugural Silverberg Leadership Award, and the 2019 Barr Fellowship. Thabiti holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and a Master of Arts from Teachers College Columbia University.
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Beth Anderson
Vice President
Beth is the Chief Executive Officer at Phoenix Charter Academy Network. Beth previously served on the transition team as Co-Chair of Governor Baker’s Education Advisory Committee, and currently serves on the advisory boards of Mass Development, the Rennie Center, and Greater Boston Teach For America Alumni. Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and a Master’s of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
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Greg Orpen
Treasurer
Greg is the Head of School at Innovation Academy and previously taught math and science and acted as the High School Principal. Greg earned his Bachelor of Science from Trinity College, his Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and is currently completing his Doctor of Education at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
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Rachel Romano
Clerk
Rachel is the founding Executive Director of Veritas Preparatory Charter School and previously served as the Principal and Executive Director of the Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter School. A certified Principal and English teacher, Rachel spent six years working in the Springfield Public Schools as a teacher and school leader. Rachel earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts.
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Kristin Harrison
Member
Kristin is the Executive Director of the Christa McAuliffe Charter School. Kristin began with McAuliffe teaching math and science, also serving as the school’s first instructional coach. Kristin holds an undergraduate degree from Amherst College, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Simmons College.
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Caleb Hurst-Hiller
Member
Caleb was a founding member of the Community Charter School of Cambridge and previously, as Head of School. Before CCSC, he taught social studies at the Sizer School. Caleb earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Brown University and a Master’s of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he was an Urban Scholars Fellow. He also sits on the board of the Kendall Square Association.
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Barish Icin
Member
Barish joined PCSS in 2010 as the Executive Director and now serves as the Chief Executive Officer. In 2011, Barish was named as a Lynch Leadership Academy Fellow. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Koc University, a Master of Arts from Princeton University, and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Boston College.
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Todd Sumner
Member
Todd has served as Principal at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School and as Executive Director of the Sizer Teachers Center since 2012. Todd holds degrees from Greenfield Community College, Amherst College, Middlebury College, and Teachers College, Columbia University.
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Shannah Varón
Member
Shannah Varón is the Executive Director of Boston Collegiate Charter School. Prior to joining BCCS, Shannah was a principal with the Parthenon Group, a strategy consulting firm. In addition to leading the BCCS team, Shannah chairs the Boston Charter Alliance and co-chairs the Boston Compact. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and Harvard Business School.
START A CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL
If you’re looking to start a charter public school in Massachusetts, we’ve got you covered. All of the necessary information, including a schedule for information sessions and deadlines, is available on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
To learn more, please reach out to Erica Brown, Chief of Policy & School Support.
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Director of Development
Reporting to the Chief of Communications and Development and working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Development (...
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GET INVOLVED WITH MCPSA
Decision-makers across Massachusetts listen to teachers, students, families, and community members when it comes to shaping education policy. Get involved with MCPSA today to support the nation’s top-performing charter public school sector in the country and make it possible for every child to reach their full potential.
Ways to Get InvolvedAdvocates for Massachusetts Charter Public Schools is a 501(c)(4) organization focused on engaging the charter public school community in the legislative and political process, growing the coalition of charter public school supporters and activists. To learn more, you will be directed to a website operated by a 501(c)(4) entity.
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YOU ARE NOW LEAVING MASSCHARTERSCHOOLS.ORG
By clicking “visit website” below, you will be directed to a website operated by a 501(c)(4) entity called Advocates for Massachusetts Charter Public Schools.
Important Announcement
Governor Baker has ordered a suspension of school operations for educational purposes at all public and private elementary and secondary (K-12) schools in the Commonwealth until May 4, 2020. Please check your charter public school's website for additional details including opportunities for meal pick-up and distance learning.