people

Our Steering Committee helps to propel Compact initiatives in the classroom and at the broader system level.

Steering Committee

Dr. Helenann Civian is the principal of South Boston Catholic Academy. Prior to this, she served as principal of Cathedral High School for three years. Her career in education began in Cantonas a teacher and Math Director. She continued her work in Boston as an urban leader, focusing on equity and access for all students and families in both public and Catholic schools. Dr. Civian earned a Ph.D. in EducationalLeadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education, an M.Ed. in Planning and Social Policy from Bridgewater State University, an M.Ed. in Administration from American International College, and was a fellow in algebraic thinking, patterns, and functions at Rutgers University. Dr. Civian currently resides in Canton with her husband, Jamey, and loves spending time with her family.

Sharon Liszanckie has served as the Executive Director of Boston Prep since 2012, where she leads integrated middle school, high school, and college support programs designed to drive academic and ethical excellence. Sharon began her career as an educator, teaching middle school math in the Wellesley Public Schools and in CT. Her passion for education reform then led her to leadership positions atBain & Company and the Bridgespan Group, with a particular focus on youth development and education. She brought the lessons learned in non-profit consulting back to public education when she joined Boston Prep. Sharon holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an MBA from Harvard BusinessSchool.

Ali Dutson is the Principal of Mission Grammar School in Roxbury. She received her B.A. inElementary Education from Emmanuel College and her M.Ed. from Harvard GraduateSchool of Education with a focus on Innovation, Technology, and Education. Alibrings a love for learning, social justice, and educational leadership in Boston. She is a proud new mother and enjoys spending time with her family.

CharlesGrandson IV, Ed. D., serves as Chief Equity & Strategy Officer for the Boston Public Schools. Dr. Grandson began his career in education as a humanities teacher at the West Roxbury Education Complex and went on to serve as principal of a turnaround high school in Springfield, Superintendent of Schools in Malden, Deputy Superintendent of the Poughkeepsie City School District, and Deputy Chief Operating Officer for BPS. Over his career, he has lead numerous initiatives focused on equity, college/ career readiness, closing opportunity gaps, and leadership development. Dr. Grandson holds Ed.D., M.Ed.,and B.A. degrees from Boston College. He lives in West Roxbury with his wife, Jahmeelah Bai-Grandson, a high school principal, and their son, CharlesGrandson V.

Mark Loring serves as Director of Network Operations at Brooke Charter Schools. Mr. Loring is currently serving as Chief Operating Officer for the network. Before joining Brooke, Mr. Loring worked in a variety of educational roles across the country, including as a 4th grade teacher in the Louisiana Delta, a home school teacher in Redmond, WA, and as a Director of Operations in Lawrence, MA.

Monica Roberts, Chief of Student,Family & Community Advancement for the Boston Public Schools, has over fifteen years of experience in public education. In her current role, she oversees family and community engagement, student engagement and leadership development, school and community partnerships, and registration and assignment. Under her leadership, BPS is making significant policy and operational improvements that will result in improved outcomes and experiences for students, families, communities and schools. Ms. Roberts has served in a number of key positions within the Boston Public Schools since 2001, including Director of School Support and Training; Director of Federal and State Programs, and Assistant Director of Development. 

Geoff Rose is currently the principal of the Perry K-8 School. Geoff is a thirteen-year veteran of the Boston Public Schools, and prior to the Perry, he held various positions at the Dever-McCormack School including second and fourth grade teacher and Dean of Students. He holds B.A. degrees in Elementary Education and Human Development from Boston College, as well as two M.Ed degrees in Moderate Special Needs and Educational Leadership from Boston College. Geoff completed the BPS Aspiring Principals Program and was also a Lynch Leadership Academy member of Cohort VI. Geoff is currently a Lead Principal for one of the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for the principals of Networks 5 and6. Geoff is also currently working on his Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Boston College.

Kate Scott is the Executive Director of the Neighborhood House Charter School (NHCS) where she has worked in various capacities for over 20 years. In her previous position as Assistant Headmaster, Kate oversaw the academic program for NHCS.  She has also served as a 4th grade teacher, 8th grade math teacher, and as Dean of the Middle School. She started her career with Teach for America as a fourth grade teacher in Long Beach, California. Kate holds a BA from Wellesley College and an EdM from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Shannah Varón joined BostonCollegiate Charter School as Executive Director in July 2011. At BCCS, she leads a team of 100 dedicated staff to ensure that graduates continue to achieve 100% acceptance to 4-year colleges and universities. Prior to joining BCCS, she worked as a strategy consultant with The Parthenon Group, a Boston-based strategic advisory firm. Shannah began her career with Teach For America, through which she served in South Texas as a bilingual special education teacher. She then worked for Teach For America in New York City, where she managed the team responsible for the support and development of teachers. Shannah holds a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Lisa Warshafsky (Principal, SaintJohn Paul II Catholic Academy, Lower Mills) has worked in urban education for more than 20 years. She is passionate about inner-city education and supporting students in reaching their full potential in the presence of our loving God. Prior to becoming Principal, Lisa was a Guidance Counselor and Director of Guidance for Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy. Lisa earned a MSW and completed coursework towards a Master of Education in School Leadership at Boston College. A graduate of the Lynch Leadership Academy, she received the 2011 Yawkey Award for Teaching Excellence, the Boston Family Engagement Partnership (BFEP) Fellowship, and the 2017 Today's CatholicTeacher-Innovations in Catholic Education (ICE) Award for Total Community Involvement. Lisa is the proud mother of a 12-year-old daughter and loves spending time with her.

Kevin Andrews (Special Advisor) was one of the Compact’s founding co-chairs and serves as Senior Advisor to the Boston Charter Alliance. He was founding headmaster of Neighborhood House Charter School (NHCS), which opened in 1995 as a full-service school. Kevin is also co-founder of the Project for School Innovation, a pilot of NHCS to transform education by empowering public school educators to share their successes and drive school change. Kevin has been an educator for 40 years, during which time he has taught the gamut from early childhood to the post-graduate level. His leadership roles have included president of the Brookline Educators Association, principal of a Newton K-6 school, and principal of a Brookline K-8school. Kevin holds a B.A. in Education from the University of Massachusetts and an M.Ed. from Antioch College

Nnenna Ude (President & CEO, Match Education) is a Boston native who attended Boston Latin School and then Dartmouth College. Ms. Ude began her work at Matchin 2012 as Director of Operations at Match's middle school.  Prior to being appointed Executive Director of Match's PreK-12 school in December 2017, Ms. Ude worked as the COO of the full school. She considers it a privilege to be able to serve students and families from her city and is committed to helping Match's students succeed in and out of the classroom.

Rob Consalvo (Senior Advisor, Boston  Public Schools) is a former Boston City Councilor who represented District 5  for 12 years. During his tenure, Rob chaired the Council’s Committee on  Housing and Ways and Means. Rob then became Deputy Director for the City of  Boston’s Boston Home Center. He has also served as a Trustee on the City of  Boston’s Neighborhood Housing Trust as well as a Trustee on the SEIU 888  Housing Trust. Currently, Rob is Senior Advisor to Boston Public Schools  Superintendent Cassellius. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all  students through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative,  welcoming schools. Rob is the proud father of three Boston Public School  students, Amanda, Anthony and Austin, and lives in Hyde Park with his  children and wife, Michelle.

Stephanie Whelan is Chief of Staff at the Boston Archdiocese Catholic Schools Office.

Lindsa McIntyre servesas High School Superintendent of Boston Public Schools. “Dr. Mac” began her teaching career at the Jeremiah Burke High School in the center of the“Circle of Promise” neighborhood of Roxbury and Dorchester. Under her leadership and through a commitment to social justice, equity, and access to quality education for all students, the Burke became the first high school in Massachusetts to exit Turnaround status in 2014. Her experience includes work in alternative education as the founding leader of Boston Day Academy. She recently completed her Ed.D. at Boston College and resides in Dorchester.

staff

Rachel Weinstein is the Chief Collaboration Officer for the Boston Compact. Rachel has supported numerous multi-stakeholder efforts focused on improving outcomes for historically underserved populations. In addition to the Compact, her clients have included four public health departments collaborating to share services, numerous philanthropic initiatives, and a cross-sector network focused on strengthening STEM education. Previously, Rachel served as DistrictDirector for the state Senate President in Oakland, California. Rachel graduated from Brown University, where she majored in American Civilization with a focus on Urban Education.