Public Education Foundation
Senior Team
President
Kirsten Searer
President
Kirsten Searer advocates for equity and access for all children through public education. She joined the Public Education Foundation because she believes strongly in the need for our community to come together to push for improvements in public education, and to support every student.
She most recently served as the Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer at the Clark County School District, overseeing all external-facing departments, including media relations, government relations, family engagement, marketing and events, and school-community partnerships. Under her leadership, the Community Engagement Unit enacted a plan to deepen the district’s partnerships throughout the community, including increasing social media interactions, assisting every school to develop its own marketing plan, ensuring every school is adopted by at least one community partner, taking more family engagement programming “on the go” into the community, and recruiting 1,000 mentors in five years.
Kirsten has served as an executive and spokesperson for several political and non-profit organizations. She is a former newspaper journalist who specialized in political and education coverage.
Kirsten is the daughter of a lifelong teacher who served students in Arizona for more than 35 years.
After growing up in Arizona, Kirsten braved the Chicago weather and obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Journalism at Northwestern University.
Co-Founder of the Public Education Foundation and CEO and President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Judi Steele
Co-Founder of the Public Education Foundation and CEO and President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Judi Steele is CEO Emeritus of The Public Education Foundation. She is one of the founders of the nonprofit organization and also has served local, national and international education and business communities as an educator, business owner, consultant and executive coach.
Judi, who has championed public education and the arts, is a respected thought leader guided by an entrepreneurial spirit and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom. She was active in the civil rights movement and is a champion of equal rights and human justice. Judi has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of teaching and learning for all public school children.
She was born and raised in New York City and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and elementary education from Hunter College. Judi began her distinguished education career as a fifth grade teacher at P.S. 171 in East Harlem.
Before beginning her career with the Clark County School District, she taught elementary and middle school in Providence, Rhode Island, where she began her graduate studies at Brown University. She completed her Master of Education degree in secondary and adult education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Her career with CCSD began as a classroom teacher at C.V.T. Gilbert Prestige School. She also served as Integration Consultant with the Intergroup Education Department under Dr. Claude Perkins and worked with Claude Parson. She was a Team Leader for Teacher Corps, Summer School Site Administrator, and was the first teacher of the Academically Talented Program and the first coordinator of Child Find.
As the Director of Special Education Programs and Services for the District, she developed and implemented procedures and staff development activities to ensure that all disabled students received a free, public and appropriate education. She was responsible for district-wide programs for the visually, orally and emotionally challenged, learning disabled and academically talented.
Judi designed CCSD’s first Individualized Education Program; established multi-disciplinary team processes; and supervised speech and language therapists, school nurses and teachers of the academically talented.
In 1987, she took a leave of absence to assist with some political campaigns and became President of Steele & Associates, a management consulting firm in which she also provided executive coaching. In 1991, she returned to CCSD and served in a dual role as Manager of the Office of Development and Education Improvement for CCSD and Executive Director of the newly incorporated Clark County Public Education Foundation, an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve public education in Southern Nevada.
In 2001, she retired from the District and was named President of The Public Education Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation, working collaboratively with CCSD, has been a leader in creating and sponsoring innovative, results-driven initiatives to improve student performance, demonstrate accountability and support educational excellence.
Judi has received numerous honors and awards for her lifelong service to children, education and the community. In 2006, the Clark County Board of School Trustees honored her, as she became the namesake of the Judith D. Steele Elementary School.
She also has been inducted into the CCSD Educational Excellence Hall of Fame. Judi has served on numerous boards of directors, advisory boards and was the Founder and President of the Arts Council of Henderson and “Nevada Shakespeare in the Park.”
In 2014 and 2015, she was included among “Las Vegas’ Top 100 Women of Influence” in MyVegas magazine and, in 2014, she received the 1st Distinguished Endeavor Award in Education presented by Distinguished Women in Nevada.
Judi has a daughter, Elyse, a son, Arthur, and two granddaughters, Taylor and Haley.
With vision, passion and boundless energy, Judi has lived by the Talmudic philosophy: “If not now, when? If not me, who?”
Chief Financial Officer
Jeff Wells
Chief Financial Officer
Jeff Wells joined The Public Education Foundation in 2021 as its Chief Financial Officer after many years as a finance executive in nonprofit healthcare. Jeff’s professional experience includes work with large health systems, academic medical centers, and community health – focusing on complex financial modeling, budgeting and forecasting, valuation of professional services, contracting, and grant/fund accounting.
Jeff was drawn to The Public Education Foundation by the shared sense of social responsibility between the educational alignment of the Foundation’s mission and his previous professional passions in nonprofit healthcare.
Jeff relocated to Las Vegas in 2004 and has a wife and two daughters. As a native of Phoenix, Arizona, he is a product of the Mesa and Gilbert public school systems and holds both Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration degrees from the University of Phoenix.
Chief Development Officer
Latoya Holman
Chief Development Officer
Latoya Holman was born and raised in Sacramento, California and she is the first in her family to attend college. Encouraged by her parents to pursue multiple talents, Latoya enjoys playing the piano, acoustic guitar, and singing. Her day-to-day life is spirited by the love and joy that she receives from her one-eyed dog, Willa, who was adopted through The Animal Foundation (pictures of one-eyed Willa are available upon request).
Latoya is the Chief Development Officer of the Public Education Foundation where she serves as an ambassador and principal fundraiser for the nonprofit which supports teachers, students, and families of the Clark County School District. She secures resources to support our teachers through the PEF Teacher Superstore, which provides school supplies to teachers to reduce the amount of money that they spend out of their own pockets, fundraises for the PEF Scholarship PLUS program which raises $5 million annually towards post-secondary scholarships, and works to gain support financially for the Teacher Pathway Program, which aims to reduce the current teacher shortage which directly impacts the education of our youth.
Latoya previously served as the Director of Projects & Community Outreach for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation, which fundraises to support the fallen officers fund, provides community safety programs, and works to strengthen the relationship between the community and our police officers. Latoya led and coordinated all marketing and DEI initiatives. Latoya also served as an official media spokesperson for the LVMPD Foundation.
Latoya is a founding member of the Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas (HRC). HRC is the largest LGBT civil rights organization in the country with more than 4 million members. Latoya has been serving on the board in numerous capacities for 15 years. She currently serves as a member of the National Board of Governors and is a member of the National Executive Committee for HRC, lending her voice as a proud African-American ally, business woman and advocate to the Equality Movement. Latoya was a member of the cultivation committee which helped fundraising efforts for what is now the Robert L. Forbuss LGBT Center. She has also delivered multiple keynote speeches at HRC galas and corporate diversity programs, both locally and across the country.
With a passion for civil rights, Holman has worked with Project REAL, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which encourages students to learn more about the importance of the law. She has led presentations and tours for more than 3,000 students, helping them identify career paths for themselves and develop a respect for our justice system. She also dedicates time as a board member to Nevada School of the Arts, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides world-class music instruction and a life-changing experience to students of all ages and backgrounds. In addition, Latoya takes pride as a member of the Board of Trustees with Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada and works to uplift girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Her service with the GSSNV includes mentoring Sydney Ramenofsky, who went on to become a Gold Star Award recipient, the highest honor possible for a Girl Scout. Latoya believes that her human experience aligns with this Girl Scout Mission and will be a part of her continued life journey.
Latoya is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University HBCU which is a part of the Atlanta University Center. She later obtained a master’s degree in Human Resources Management.
Latoya is a proud lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Chief Education Officer
Grant Hanevold
Chief Education Officer
Mr. Grant Hanevold joined The Public Education Foundation in 2020 and currently serves as the Chief Education Officer. Grant brings 30 years of experience with the Clark County School District to the position where he served as Mathematics Teacher, Dean, Assistant Principal, Principal, School Associate Superintendent, and Region Superintendent. Grant taught math before beginning his administrative career as a dean of students in 2000. In 2002, he promoted to assistant principal and one year later was promoted to principal at Harney Middle School, where he remained for three years. In 2006, Grant promoted to principal at Moapa Valley High School, a small rural high school in Northeast Clark County. In
2013, he took on the position of Turnaround Principal at Sunrise Mountain High School – the lowest performing school in the state of Nevada. In just two years the graduation rate increased over 24%. In 2015, Grant was recognized as Nevada Principal of the Year. In the fall of 2015, he was promoted to Assistant Chief Student Achievement Officer – and two years later to the position of School Associate Superintendent over Performance Zone 2. In early 2019, Grant was promoted to Region One Superintendent under Dr. Jesus Jara’s reorganization plan. He retired from the Clark County School District in April, 2020. Grant is humbled and honored to work in this capacity, and is committed to providing the best educational environment for all stakeholders. He brings diverse leadership experience, in elementary, middle and high school, and in both rural and urban settings. He believes deeply that great things happen when resources – and accountability – are aligned with those
responsible for making decisions. Grant was raised in a small farming community in North Dakota and is the youngest of eleven children. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1990, and received his
graduate degree from the University of Phoenix in 1998.
Staff
Bio coming soon
Director of Marketing and Communications
Riley Caspersen
Director of Marketing and Communications
For over six years, Riley Caspersen has been discovering something new to love about marketing every day. Riley joined the Public Education Foundation in 2021 and serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications. Her experience includes social media, email marketing, public relations, communications, event management, and copywriting. Originally from the Seattle area, Riley moved to Las Vegas in high school and embraced the desert weather. She attended the University of Arizona where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English. Following graduation, Riley returned to Southern Nevada and started her career in public relations before joining the nonprofit sector. She spent five years with United Way of Southern Nevada managing marketing initiatives and events including Nevada’s Big Give, a statewide day of giving raising over $2 million for Nevada’s nonprofit organizations. When not brainstorming the next marketing campaign, Riley can be found planning her next trip or exploring the shelves at local bookstores and libraries.
Staff Accountant
James Corway
Chief Administrative Officer
Ashlee Redden, who joined The Public Education Foundation in 2011, is Chief Administrative Officer. Previously, she was Executive Assistant to the President and, prior to that, was an office specialist and worked as a coordinator for the Foundation’s literacy program and the Foundation’s Leadership Institute of Nevada.
Before coming to the Foundation, Ashlee obtained several years of experience working for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.
She earned her B.S. in Human Services from University of Phoenix, with a concentration in children and family services.
Ashlee, who was born and raised in Las Vegas, is a proud graduate of Advanced Technologies Academy in the Clark County School District.
Senior Accountant
Natasha Garcia
Chief Education Officer
Mr. Grant Hanevold joined The Public Education Foundation in 2020 and currently serves as the Chief Education Officer. Grant brings 30 years of experience with the Clark County School District to the position where he served as Mathematics Teacher, Dean, Assistant Principal, Principal, School Associate Superintendent, and Region Superintendent. Grant taught math before beginning his administrative career as a dean of students in 2000. In 2002, he promoted to assistant principal and one year later was promoted to principal at Harney Middle School, where he remained for three years. In 2006, Grant promoted to principal at Moapa Valley High School, a small rural high school in Northeast Clark County. In
2013, he took on the position of Turnaround Principal at Sunrise Mountain High School – the lowest performing school in the state of Nevada. In just two years the graduation rate increased over 24%. In 2015, Grant was recognized as Nevada Principal of the Year. In the fall of 2015, he was promoted to Assistant Chief Student Achievement Officer – and two years later to the position of School Associate Superintendent over Performance Zone 2. In early 2019, Grant was promoted to Region One Superintendent under Dr. Jesus Jara’s reorganization plan. He retired from the Clark County School District in April, 2020. Grant is humbled and honored to work in this capacity, and is committed to providing the best educational environment for all stakeholders. He brings diverse leadership experience, in elementary, middle and high school, and in both rural and urban settings. He believes deeply that great things happen when resources – and accountability – are aligned with those
responsible for making decisions. Grant was raised in a small farming community in North Dakota and is the youngest of eleven children. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1990, and received his
graduate degree from the University of Phoenix in 1998.
Web Developer/Software Solutions
Jose Lozano
Web Developer/Software Solutions
Jose Lozano joined the Public Education Foundation in 2019 as the lead for technology and software systems. Before joining PEF, Jose worked for the Lawndale School District in California for over 3 years. Working with the school district showed him how great it was to work in school environments, where he felt his knowledge could truly make a difference.
Jose received his Bachelor of Arts in Computer Technology from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Early in his career, he completed an internship at the Inglewood Police Department and was scheduled to be sent to the academy to become a police officer before deciding to pursue a career focused on technology.
Born and raised in Inglewood, California, Jose moved to Las Vegas in 2018. He enjoys hiking, taking road trips, and spending time with his family and his dog Solo.
Teacher Superstore Store Manager
Dolores Mares
Chief Financial Officer
Jeff Wells joined The Public Education Foundation in 2021 as its Chief Financial Officer after many years as a finance executive in nonprofit healthcare. Jeff’s professional experience includes work with large health systems, academic medical centers, and community health – focusing on complex financial modeling, budgeting and forecasting, valuation of professional services, contracting, and grant/fund accounting.
Jeff was drawn to The Public Education Foundation by the shared sense of social responsibility between the educational alignment of the Foundation’s mission and his previous professional passions in nonprofit healthcare.
Jeff relocated to Las Vegas in 2004 and has a wife and two daughters. As a native of Phoenix, Arizona, he is a product of the Mesa and Gilbert public school systems and holds both Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration degrees from the University of Phoenix.
Vice President of Teacher Engagement and Early Learning
Dr. Beverly Mathis
Vice President of Teacher Engagement and Early Learning
Dr. Beverly G. Mathis, who is Vice President of Early Learning, Literacy and Family Engagement, joined The Public Education Foundation in 2011.
In 1976, Beverly relocated to Las Vegas from Tennessee, where she was an elementary school teacher for two years. Upon her arrival to Nevada, she taught 17 years in the classroom, three years as assistant principal and, from 1995 to 2011, served as the principal at Kermit Roosevelt Booker Sr. Elementary School, a post she held for 16 years until her retirement.
Among many recognitions of her commitment to excellence, Beverly received The Public Education Foundation’s Lifetime Education Achievement Award in 2015, was selected in 2010 as School Administrator of the Year by the Nevada Association of School Boards, was a recipient of the 2000 Milken Family Foundation Education Award, and has been inducted into CCSD’s Excellence in Education Hall of Fame.
In 2015, Governor Brian Sandoval appointed Beverly to Nevada’s Spending and Government Efficiency Commission for K-12 public education.
Beverly obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee, Martin, and she obtained her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Senior Vice President of Academic Initiatives
Kristine Minnich
SVP of Academic Initiatives
Kristine Minnich joined The Public Education Foundation in 2018 and currently serves as the Senior Vice President of the Educational Reform Programs and Initiatives Unit with the goal of fulfilling the belief of The Public Education Foundation: that every child deserves a quality education.
Kristine brings extensive experience to this position, as evidenced by over 25 years in public education. Beginning her career as a general education teacher, she expanded her role to include the instruction of students identified as gifted. After more than a decade of teaching, she accepted the challenge of balancing the ever present needs of students with the demands of a large urban school district when she accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent. Throughout her career, Kristine has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to support the local school community in providing ALL students optimum opportunities for learning and options for post-secondary education.
After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida, Kristine obtained a Master of Education Degree in Instructional and Curricular Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as well as a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Director of Scholarships Plus Program
Kelsey Rodman
Director of Scholarships PLUS
Prior to joining The Foundation, Kelsey worked for the University of Nevada, Reno as an Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator, specifically serving Southern Nevada students throughout their college-bound process.
Kelsey graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from the University of Nevada, Reno. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Kelsey held internships with numerous public offices including the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office in Reno and the Eighth Judicial District Court in Nevada. Understanding the positive impact that quality education has on reducing crime and incarceration, she is passionate about working with scholarship donors and high school seniors to provide college access and opportunity.
Kelsey was born and raised in Las Vegas and graduated in 2014 from Shadow Ridge High School in the Clark County School District. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and traveling.
Teacher Superstore Associate
Allan Sansone
Director of Marketing and Communications
Bio coming soon.
Director of Multimedia and Graphic Design
Deborah Sobaszek
Director of Multimedia and Graphic Design
Deborah was born and raised in South Africa where she embarked upon a music career. She moved to the USA with her family where she received a full scholarship to the Musicians Institute at the age of 16.
Deborah worked in the music business until she switched gears to go behind the scenes. In 2009, she moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to work in video production where she honed her skills as a videographer, editor, photographer, and graphic designer. Deborah has worked in the non-profit sector for 7 years, assisting in branding, marketing, and event collateral.
Executive Assistant
Amarillys Zayas
Vice President of Teacher Engagement and Early Learning
Dr. Beverly G. Mathis, who is Vice President of Early Learning, Literacy and Family Engagement, joined The Public Education Foundation in 2011.
In 1976, Beverly relocated to Las Vegas from Tennessee, where she was an elementary school teacher for two years. Upon her arrival to Nevada, she taught 17 years in the classroom, three years as assistant principal and, from 1995 to 2011, served as the principal at Kermit Roosevelt Booker Sr. Elementary School, a post she held for 16 years until her retirement.
Among many recognitions of her commitment to excellence, Beverly received The Public Education Foundation’s Lifetime Education Achievement Award in 2015, was selected in 2010 as School Administrator of the Year by the Nevada Association of School Boards, was a recipient of the 2000 Milken Family Foundation Education Award, and has been inducted into CCSD’s Excellence in Education Hall of Fame.
In 2015, Governor Brian Sandoval appointed Beverly to Nevada’s Spending and Government Efficiency Commission for K-12 public education.
Beverly obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee, Martin, and she obtained her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Leadership Institute of Nevada
Co-Founder of the Public Education Foundation and CEO and President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Judi Steele
Co-Founder of the Public Education Foundation and CEO and President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Judi Steele is CEO Emeritus of The Public Education Foundation. She is one of the founders of the nonprofit organization and also has served local, national and international education and business communities as an educator, business owner, consultant and executive coach.
Judi, who has championed public education and the arts, is a respected thought leader guided by an entrepreneurial spirit and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom. She was active in the civil rights movement and is a champion of equal rights and human justice. Judi has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of teaching and learning for all public school children.
She was born and raised in New York City and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and elementary education from Hunter College. Judi began her distinguished education career as a fifth grade teacher at P.S. 171 in East Harlem.
Before beginning her career with the Clark County School District, she taught elementary and middle school in Providence, Rhode Island, where she began her graduate studies at Brown University. She completed her Master of Education degree in secondary and adult education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Her career with CCSD began as a classroom teacher at C.V.T. Gilbert Prestige School. She also served as Integration Consultant with the Intergroup Education Department under Dr. Claude Perkins and worked with Claude Parson. She was a Team Leader for Teacher Corps, Summer School Site Administrator, and was the first teacher of the Academically Talented Program and the first coordinator of Child Find.
As the Director of Special Education Programs and Services for the District, she developed and implemented procedures and staff development activities to ensure that all disabled students received a free, public and appropriate education. She was responsible for district-wide programs for the visually, orally and emotionally challenged, learning disabled and academically talented.
Judi designed CCSD’s first Individualized Education Program; established multi-disciplinary team processes; and supervised speech and language therapists, school nurses and teachers of the academically talented.
In 1987, she took a leave of absence to assist with some political campaigns and became President of Steele & Associates, a management consulting firm in which she also provided executive coaching. In 1991, she returned to CCSD and served in a dual role as Manager of the Office of Development and Education Improvement for CCSD and Executive Director of the newly incorporated Clark County Public Education Foundation, an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve public education in Southern Nevada.
In 2001, she retired from the District and was named President of The Public Education Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation, working collaboratively with CCSD, has been a leader in creating and sponsoring innovative, results-driven initiatives to improve student performance, demonstrate accountability and support educational excellence.
Judi has received numerous honors and awards for her lifelong service to children, education and the community. In 2006, the Clark County Board of School Trustees honored her, as she became the namesake of the Judith D. Steele Elementary School.
She also has been inducted into the CCSD Educational Excellence Hall of Fame. Judi has served on numerous boards of directors, advisory boards and was the Founder and President of the Arts Council of Henderson and “Nevada Shakespeare in the Park.”
In 2014 and 2015, she was included among “Las Vegas’ Top 100 Women of Influence” in MyVegas magazine and, in 2014, she received the 1st Distinguished Endeavor Award in Education presented by Distinguished Women in Nevada.
Judi has a daughter, Elyse, a son, Arthur, and two granddaughters, Taylor and Haley.
With vision, passion and boundless energy, Judi has lived by the Talmudic philosophy: “If not now, when? If not me, who?”
Vice President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Ramona Esparza
Vice President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Ramona Esparza joined The Public Education Foundation in 2021 and currently serves as a Leadership Fellow. Prior to joining The Public Education Foundation, she worked as a Public Service Intern with a state mental health agency, Children’s Behavioral Services (CBS) for the State of Nevada. She taught preschool students with emotional and behavioral challenges in a treatment program. She was a servant leader in the Clark County School District for more than 27 years in various roles as an English and ELL teacher, project facilitator, and an administrator serving students and families and the greater Las Vegas community. Her love of learning and teaching became evident in her transition to teach teachers in CCSD; she was a former part-time instructor (PTI) at Nevada State College. She is a self-published author of an educational children’s book Joaquin’s Cajon. She enjoys traveling and learning from others.
Her philosophy of life-long learning is infectious, and she has been an advocate that believes “educating others with empowerment and self-efficacy is an equalizer.” She is known for her innovative systems thinking, consensus building skills, ability to analyze situational practices, process development, visionary thinking, resource development, facilitating professional development, and coaching leaders. She co-founded the Nevada Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents’ (NVALAS). Her education includes a B.S. in Secondary Education, English, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and Education Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Senior Vice President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Jeremy Hauser
Senior Vice President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Jeremy Hauser joined The Public Education Foundation in 2016 and is the nonprofit organization’s Senior Leadership Fellow. Jeremy brings a wealth of experience to his work at the Foundation.
Prior to joining The Public Education Foundation, he worked for the Clark County School District for three decades in a variety of roles: in the classroom as a teacher, in school leadership as a principal and as a district-wide administrator.
His passion and deep understanding for the work related to school empowerment led to his appointment as Special Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent to implement school empowerment reform district wide through the “Empowerment Schools” program.
Jeremy began as a 4th grade elementary teacher in the Clark County School District in 1986, then moved on to become a special assignment teacher, assistant principal and eventually a principal at Matt Kelly Elementary School, Edythe & Lloyd Katz Elementary School and Linda Rankin Givens Elementary School.
He served as the academic manager over a variety of CCSD programs, such as School Improvement, Turnaround Schools, Professional Practice Schools, Dual Language Schools and Empowerment Schools. He also was associate superintendent over the Operational Service Division and was responsible for Maintenance, Operations, Food Service and Transportation.
Vice President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Jennifer Jaeger
Vice President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Mrs. Jennifer (Jen) Jaeger joined The Public Education Foundation in 2021 and currently serves as a Fellow with the Leadership Institute of Nevada. Jen brings nearly three decades of experience in the Clark County School District to her role at the Foundation.
Jen’s career in education began at O’Callaghan Middle School in 1992, where she taught eighth grade English. Jen continued to teach middle school English language arts for twelve years before being appointed as the dean of students at Cram Middle school in 2004. Jen subsequently served as a dean of students at Findlay Middle School and an assistant principal at both Molasky Junior High School and Fertitta Middle School. In 2015, Jen was appointed as the principal of the Robert O. Gibson Leadership Academy, where she led the school community until her retirement in June 2021. While at Gibson, Jen developed a shared leadership approach, working with stakeholders to promote scholastic and personal accountability, foster engaging instructional practices, and create a positive school culture and climate.
Jen grew up in Las Vegas and attended CCSD schools, graduating from Western High School in 1988. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Jen holds a bachelor of arts degree in Secondary Education with a specialization in English. She also holds master’s degrees in Middle Level Education and Educational Administration. Jen‘s professional coursework has informed her practice and focused her career choices on serving students at the middle level, where she feels there is tremendous positive potential to shape students’ futures.
Executive Coordinator, The Leadership Institute of Nevada
Ariel Luke
Executive Coordinator, The Leadership Institute of Nevada
Ariel Luke is a Las Vegas native, who graduated from the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts before traveling up north to graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno. While pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Anthropology, Ariel studied abroad in Brighton, England, participated in the Disney College Program, served as a member of the College of Liberal Arts Student Advisory Board, and led a floor of 30 students as a Resident Assistant.
Prior to joining the Leadership Institute of Nevada, Ariel worked for over five years as a Recruitment Specialist, focusing on diversity and high-need areas with the Clark County School District. Ariel found a passion for building connections with educators across the country and helping to fill openings at the more than 300 schools within Clark County. She is looking forward to her time with the Leadership Institute of Nevada.
In her spare time, Ariel enjoys spending time with family, going to the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, reading, traveling, and discovering the many adventures in Las Vegas.
Senior Vice President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Dr. Brian Myli
Senior Vice President of the Leadership Institute of Nevada
Dr. Brian Myli, Senior Leadership Fellow, has three decades of experience in public education.
Originally from Iowa, Brian came to the Clark County School District (CCSD) in Las Vegas in 1994. He spent ten years serving students as a High School Counselor and Counselor Department Chair. In 2004, Brian joined the CCSD Guidance and Counseling Department as a College Counselor Specialist and was later appointed Coordinator of College Readiness Programs and Initiatives.
Brian joined The Public Education Foundation in 2010 to participate in the Executive Leadership Residency. From 2012 to 2021, he served as Vice President of Leadership and Innovation to coordinate all leadership programming for the Leadership Institute of Nevada, an initiative of The Public Education Foundation.
In 2021, Brian retired from the Clark County School District after 30 years of service. He was named Senior Leadership Fellow by the Leadership Institute of Nevada to continue work in leadership programming across the state and region.
Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in educational counseling psychology from the University of Denver, a Nevada administrative endorsement in educational leadership, and a doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Vice President of Technology and Design
Tom Zimmerman
Vice President of Technology and Design
Thomas Zimmerman, Vice President of Technology and Design, specializes in educational technology and user-interface design for the web and Internet applications. He also is The Public Education Foundation’s art director for various multimedia events, web and print projects.
Prior to joining the Foundation in 2007, Thomas served as a project manager for the Clark County School District, developing and managing projects for educational technology and distance education. Thomas also developed the information architecture and user-interface design for the school district’s website and Internet applications. Additionally, he taught visual art and design for 11 years in CCSD.
Thomas holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Illinois and a bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Illinois State University. He has taken master’s level classes in educational technology from Western Governors University.