Public Education Foundation
Senior Team
Chief Executive Officer
Rich Broome
CEO
Rich Broome joined the Public Education Foundation as its Chief Executive Officer in May 2021. As CEO, Rich is ushering in the next chapter for the Public Education Foundation and uniting the community and the Clark County School District to meet the immediate, critical needs that will strengthen our public schools.
Rich most recently served as Executive Vice President of Communications and Government Relations for Caesars Entertainment. As the head of communications efforts for the corporation, Rich oversaw government relations, internal communications, public and media relations, and social media. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he led internal and external communications through the closure of all properties and subsequent re-openings, gaining favorable media attention and publicity for the company. Under his leadership, Caesars Entertainment captured billions of media impressions worth hundreds of millions of dollars in publicity value.
Rich has led communications and government relations for multiple national and international corporations and brings a wealth of business knowledge and experience to the Public Education Foundation.
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.
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.
Chief Administrative Officer
Lacie Giles
Lacie Giles
Lacie Giles was born and raised in Southern California. She moved to Las Vegas in 2015 and lives with her husband, 3 children, and Coco the Akita. Lacie is a self-proclaimed foodie, secret sourdough baker, and her favorite novel is Pride and Prejudice.
With a degree in Business Administration focusing on Finance, Lacie has spent most of her career in healthcare financial operations in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. She enjoys being part of a team, like PEF, that is truly passionate about its mission.
Staff
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 Education Programming
Ashlie Randolph
Director of Education Programming
Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Ashlie was encouraged to leverage as many of the academic opportunities available to her by her family. Starting out at Andrew J. Mitchell Elementary School and graduating from Community College High School (now known as College of Southern Nevada High School), Ashlie was fortunate to partake in magnet programs offered by Clark County School District (Gilbert Academy of Creative Arts, Hyde Park Middle School, and Community College High School) with a slight detour in private schooling at Faith Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School.
Like many High School students in Southern Nevada, Ashlie was supported by her family as she began exploring her post-secondary school options. She began her studies at the University of Western Sydney in Sydney, Australia in the Winter of 2003 where she obtained her Bachelors of Law and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practices. Following her admission as an Officer of the New South Wales Courts, Ashlie returned to Las Vegas to complete her Permanent Residency application process.
It was during this time that Ashlie was encouraged by both her mother and aunt, who had both taught in CCSD, to consider becoming a Guest Teacher while waiting for the process to be completed. Within the first couple of weeks of being on the other side of the educational learning experience in a classroom, Ashlie discovered the inner educator within her and found great joy in making learning come alive to her students through a practice of connectivity and relevance.
Following her time with CCSD, Ashlie utilized her experience both as an educator and someone who had moved abroad as an Outreach Coordinator for 900+ teachers who had chosen to develop their careers via an immersive cultural exchange experience in the United States.
Ashlie is an active member of her local and global communities and proudly serves as an Executive Committee Member and Economic Development Committee Chair for NAACP Branch #1111. A fervent advocate for creating equitable and inclusive environments within her chosen communities, Ashlie also proudly participates on both the Scholarship and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committees of Pink Boot Society; and co-founded her own Non-Profit, Lifting Lucy, which exists to remove barriers of many Black, Indigenous, and Other Women of Color encounter in relation to attending craft beverage industry events and educational opportunities.
Ashlie joined the Public Education Foundation in 2022 and is excited to continue her passion for supporting educators.
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.
Scholarships Plus Program Coordinator
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.
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.