A team working for the future

Allison Powell is the Finance Controller at Commit, bringing a wealth of experience from her career in public accounting. Before joining Commit, she worked as an auditor for national firms RSM and Armanino, where she specialized in non-profit clients, including social service organizations, private schools, community colleges, and performing arts groups.

Raised in Tarrant County, Allison graduated from Martin High School within the Arlington Independent School District. She earned her B.A. in Dance and B.B.A. in Accounting, graduating cum laude from Texas Tech University, where she also completed her M.S.A. in Accounting with a specialization in Audit.

Allison is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA and TXCPA, reflecting her commitment to excellence in the finance field.

Amber is a Dallas native and a proud product of Dallas ISD. After graduating from Skyline High School, Amber attended the University of Texas at Austin. During her freshman year, she wrote a research paper on No Child Left Behind and learned of the systemic issues in education impacting communities of color. Amber was motivated to be a part of the solution and became an early literacy tutor at an East Austin Elementary school. This experience motivated Amber to pursue a career in Education. Upon graduation, she returned to Dallas-Fort Worth as a founding Kindergarten teacher for Uplift Education. Amber worked as a Kindergarten and 3rd Grade teacher igniting in her a passion for early literacy.

Prior to joining Commit, Amber served as an instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. Amber had the privilege to lead as campus principal at her childhood elementary school, N.W. Harllee Early Childhood Center. Amber has a deep commitment to ensuring that early literacy practices are equitable across campuses and produce strong outcomes for all students.

Amber graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Communication Studies and from Southern Methodist University with a M.Ed in Educational Leadership.

Born in Cadiz, Kentucky and graduate of DeSoto High School, Ann developed an early appreciation for the power of organization and collaboration in driving meaningful change. Her passion for creating structure and supporting visionary leadership motivates her to bring her best every day in service of The Commit Partnership’s mission. Ann has always believed that meaningful change begins with thoughtful collaboration and care for others. That belief inspires her every day in her work, where she helps ensure the organization’s leadership can stay focused on improving educational outcomes for Texas students.

With over 25 years of administrative and operational experience, Ann brings both heart and precision to her role at The Commit Partnership, providing high-level executive support to the CEO and President. Known for her calm under pressure and her ability to anticipate needs before they arise, she ensures the organization’s leadership can focus on strategy and impact while she keeps the details running seamlessly behind the scenes.

Before joining Commit, Ann honed her skills across both corporate and nonprofit sectors, developing a deep understanding of how efficient systems and strong relationships fuel success. When she’s not keeping Commit’s executive office humming, she enjoys spending time with family, baking and traveling.

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Bridget Worley is the Chief State Impact Officer for the Commit Partnership. Prior to her current role, she served as Executive Director of the Texas Impact Network, a newly launched joint venture between Educate Texas and the Commit Partnership focused on building capacity across school systems statewide to drive student achievement through successful implementation of research-proven initiatives funded by House Bill 3, the 2019 Texas school finance bill. She started her career in education as a second- and third-grade teacher at Clinton Elementary School in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, and then spent time working in governmental relations at Van Scoyoc Associates in her hometown of Washington, DC.

In 2012, Bridget moved back to Louisiana to serve as the Policy Advisor to the then-newly elected and appointed Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). After her time at BESE, she joined the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) as the Policy Director, leading the state’s policy agenda around major initiatives including standards and accountability, teacher evaluations, parent choice, and early childhood education. Bridget transitioned to the LDOE executive team in 2015 and worked alongside Superintendent John White as the Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer. She oversaw communications, staffing and professional development, a $150 million operating budget, the annual strategic planning process, and all key organizational decisions for the Department before founding the Texas Impact Network in October 2019.

Chelsea's commitment to public education runs deep—as a student, professional and a parent within Dallas County’s public school system.

A Dallas County native, Chelsea grew up in Coppell, TX, and graduated from Coppell High School before earning a President’s Scholarship to Southern Methodist University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors, earning a BBA in Accounting and a minor in Political Science. It was during her public policy courses at SMU that Chelsea first encountered the systemic inequities in public education—a realization that led her to join Teach for America. As a member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Corps, she taught Algebra, Geometry, and Math Models at Dallas Can Academy, an alternative high school, where she saw firsthand the transformative power of education and the deep needs within the education system.

Since leaving the classroom in 2014, Chelsea has been an integral part of Commit, where she has led and shaped initiatives spanning data analysis, educator effectiveness, human capital management, and EC-12th grade strategies alongside district and community partners. Her leadership extends beyond external impact—she has designed and implemented internal processes for recruitment, onboarding, and performance management for high-performing teams. Chelsea also played a pivotal role in developing and monitoring strategic plans across multiple departments, the organization, and community-level initiatives.

In her current role, Chelsea connects talent, strategy, and data both internally and externally, ensuring that Dallas County students benefit from student-first, data-driven leaders who are committed to transforming educational outcomes and expanding future opportunities across the entire ecosystem.

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Chelsea Valdez was born into a family deeply committed to education, with her mother and grandparents on both sides dedicating themselves to roles spanning Pk-12 teaching, counseling, school leadership, and rural superintendent positions. Raised in southeastern Missouri, she moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2009 to serve as a Teach For America corps member, where she taught middle school mathematics in Dallas ISD.

While teaching, Chelsea quickly realized the pivotal role that educators play in shaping students' long-term academic success and social-emotional development. After transitioning from the classroom, Chelsea spent the next decade working in educator preparation, coaching and mentoring hundreds of novice teachers across the country. Nine of those years were with Relay Graduate School of Education, serving initially as a faculty member at their New York campus and later assuming the role of Director of Certification & Department Chair on their national team. Her responsibilities extended to supporting teachers enrolled in Relay's educator preparation programs across 18 states. Additionally, she played integral roles as an instructional coach and Director of Curriculum and Program at The Educator Academy in Kansas City, MO. In this capacity, she contributed to the establishment of their teacher residency's curriculum, coaching protocols, and mentor teacher development during its inaugural year of operations.

Chelsea holds a master's degree in education policy from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Missouri. She has also actively participated in education-focused fellowships, including an Education Pioneers Summer Fellowship in New York City and a Summer Policy Internship at the Institute for School Partnership at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Residing in Dallas County with her husband and two children, Chelsea remains dedicated to fostering educational excellence and innovation through her commitment to educator development and student success.

Else Drooff Valenzuela is Managing Director & Special Assistant to the CEO & President at The Commit Partnership, where she supports new education initiatives in Dallas County and statewide.

Prior to joining Commit, Else worked as an Enrollment Growth Consultant at Rize Education, an EdTech company dedicated to supporting small independent colleges through online program sharing. She was first inspired to serve public education systems after serving on her local Board of Education in high school. Else began her career at an immigration nonprofit in Santa Fe, NM, an experience that cemented her commitment to creating pathways for upward mobility.

Else attended Dartmouth College and earned her MBA/MA International Relations from University of Virginia Darden School of Business & Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Originally from Maryland, Else lives in Dallas with her husband & two cats, Gustavo & Benito. Else is an avid Crossfit & Hyrox competitor, as well as a novice triathlete.

Jeannie Stone has dedicated her life to public schools for over thirty years. A native North Texan, Jeannie began her career teaching middle school English in Dallas ISD. With a focus on equity and excellence in education for ALL students, she has served in a variety of diverse districts from small to large urban settings including Wylie, Mesquite, and Richardson ISD.

A graduate of Mesquite ISD schools, Jeannie later returned to the district to serve in the roles of teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Administrative Officer to the Superintendent. During her time serving in Mesquite, she was named a UT Distinguished Educator, was named to the Apple Corps of Teachers, was selected by her peers as Secondary Principal of the Year and was chosen by the Meadows Foundation as North Texas Volunteer of the Year for her commitment to community service. During her first year as principal at Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School, the campus was chosen as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a George W. Bush National Point of Light.

Dr. Stone joined Richardson ISD in 2014 and served as Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for one year, before being named Superintendent. During her tenure, the district passed a comprehensive racial equity policy, and Dr. Stone was widely recognized for her dedication to closing achieving gaps. She spearheaded the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) model at four Richardson campuses to turnaround performance and provide support for students most in need. She led the district in passing two bond proposals (2016 and 2021) and one tax ratification (2019), all totaling over $1 billion dollars. For her leadership efforts, she was named the 2019 Texas Superintendent of the Year by Texas PTA, Altrusa International’s 2018 Outstanding Woman in Education, and the 2017 Texas ESSA Superintendent of the Year. The Dallas Business Journal named her one of their ten inaugural Leaders in Diversity recipients on March 4, 2021.

Dr. Stone earned a B.A. in English from UT Arlington, an M.A. in Education from Texas A&M Commerce, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from Nova Southeastern University.

Growing up in South Texas as a first-generation college student, Katrina is passionate about economic mobility. She is a proud graduate of Corpus Christi ISD and the University of Texas system and received her undergraduate education thanks to a full ride scholarship from the Terry Foundation. She works to shape statewide policies that strengthen Texas's talent pipeline and help more Texans secure living wage jobs.

Her career spans early childhood education through higher education and workforce development, where she has focused on building cross-sector partnerships to expand access to high-quality career pathways. Prior to Commit, Katrina led economic development and workforce consulting engagements across the country conducting labor market analyses, developing strategic plans, and advising on implementation. She started her career in the Speaker's Office in the Texas State Capitol.

Katrina received her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds two graduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin - a Master of Public Affairs and an MBA.

Since 2009, Miguel Solis has dedicated his career to serving the residents of Dallas, focusing on education, housing, and transportation. With a strong commitment to opportunity, accountability, and innovation, he has worked to promote policies that empower families, reward excellence, and strengthen local communities. Miguel began his professional career as a Teach For America corps member in Dallas, TX, where he taught 8th-grade social studies in the Dallas public schools. He later served as a special assistant to the superintendent of the school system, co-founded the non-profit Latino Center for Leadership Development, and led the urban policy think tank Coalition for a New Dallas. In 2013, at the age of 27, he was elected to the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees, where he also became the youngest person ever to serve as Board President and Vice-President.

As a Dallas ISD Trustee, Miguel championed policies that prioritized parental choice, teacher excellence, and fiscal responsibility. His efforts included drafting and passing the district’s first early childhood education policy, implementing a ban on out-of-school suspensions for the district’s youngest students—which became state law—and helping to develop an innovative teacher evaluation, support, and merit-based pay system that rewarded educators for performance rather than tenure. During his tenure, Dallas ISD underwent a major transformation, reducing the number of failing schools from 43 to 3, passing two multi-billion-dollar school bonds—including the largest in Texas history—and becoming a model for reform-minded districts across the country.

Beyond his work in education, Miguel is actively involved in numerous nonprofit organizations that support free enterprise, local leadership, and community-driven solutions. He serves on the Children’s Medical Center Foundation board, the FUSE Corps national board of directors, and the Teach For America national board of directors. As an alumnus of the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowship, he has been recognized for his ability to work across partisan lines to promote effective governance and common-sense solutions. For his leadership, Miguel was named to the Dallas Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and the 2021 Dallas 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders.

Miguel holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Lamar University and a Master of Education in Policy and Management from Harvard University. He is the proud parent of Olivia Solis, a pediatric heart transplant survivor and the strongest person he knows.

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Sile Robinson is the Chief Regional Impact Officer at Commit. Sile has spent her career in education working across all grade levels and subject areas. Before joining Commit, Sile spent time in educational consulting, supporting districts across Texas with several TEA-funded grants, including the Resilient Schools Support Program and the Effective Schools Framework-Focused Support Grant. Prior to her time in consulting, Sile worked at a national non-profit supporting with teacher and leader development.

Sile believes in working directly in partnership with leaders to improve teaching and learning by focusing on ambitious and engaging instruction for all students. Sile recognizes the impact of high-quality teachers and leaders and works alongside partners to support them in achieving their goals.

Sile is originally from Connecticut but loves living in Texas! Outside of work, she likes to read and spend time with her husband and dog, Hazel.

Stephanie McCloud is a proud product of Dallas County schools, from Skyline High School’s Education Cluster to teaching in Dallas ISD. As the daughter of a 30-year educator, her journey has been shaped by a deep respect for teachers, schools and the transformative power of public education.

McCloud has spent 19 years in education serving in multiple roles, from classroom teacher to Accelerated Campus Excellence administrator, where she helped to support a campus in its growth from a D to a B, to Chief Academic Officer of DeSoto ISD. She's gained firsthand insight into the levers that drive systemwide improvement and witnessed the result of strong systems, aligned strategy, and disciplined execution in expanding economic mobility for students. In her district leadership roles, she has been a key driver of change, directly supporting College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) initiatives and tripling HB3 outcomes by building robust monitoring systems that ensure consistent progress and measurable results.

In her role as Managing Director of District Strategy and Partnerships with the Commit Partnership, she will bring that same focus to working collaboratively with district leaders to identify opportunities, design actionable strategies, and monitor progress toward shared goals. Her approach is rooted in organizational alignment and scalable impact. She has led the implementation of high-quality instructional materials, districtwide literacy strategies, and strengthened principal coaching systems to ensure consistent, high-quality execution. She has also advanced student opportunities through managing multi-million-dollar grants, partnering with Texas Instruments via Educate Texas to enhance STEM programming, and serving on the advisory board for Readers 2 Leaders-Dallas.

McCloud is committed to being a credible, strategic partner for Dallas County districts asking the right questions, connecting the right expertise, and ensuring that goals translate into action and measurable results. She looks forward to advancing bold, coherent and lasting impact that strengthens schools and creates meaningful opportunities for students across the region.

Highly committed to public education, Todd is the founding Chairman and CEO of The Commit Partnership, the nation’s largest educational collective impact organization with over 200 institutions (including 15 school districts and eight higher-ed institutions educating over 700,000 students) supported by a dedicated backbone staff of ~70 employees. Founded in 2011, together the Partnership and its backbone staff are collectively focused on improving academic outcomes and economic mobility levels across the Dallas County region as well as the state of Texas. Todd also served for eight years as the Education Policy Advisor to former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings.

Todd is a senior trustee and former board chair for Austin College, a liberal arts college in Sherman, Texas. With his wife Abby, Todd was the founding chair of the regional advisory board for Teach for America in Dallas/Ft. Worth, and together in 2007 they also helped establish the Uplift Williams Preparatory School, a K-12 free tuition public charter school operated by Uplift Education that educates ~1,500 primarily Hispanic students living in northwest Dallas. Todd also currently serves on the board of Fidelity Charitable, the nation’s largest donor advised fund with over $80 billion of assets under management.

Todd was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2020 to serve on (i) the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation (responsible for overseeing the investment of the state’s ~$50 billion endowment fund supporting Texas’ K-12 public education system); (ii) the year-long 2018 Texas Commission on Public School Finance (where he chaired its Outcomes Committee which ultimately produced 35 recommendations that served as the basis for Texas’ landmark HB 3 legislation which equitably invested $11.5 billion in the state’s public K-12 education system in 2019) and (iii) the 2022 Texas Commission on Community College Funding, which recommended the strategic investment of ~$650 million of new biennial state funding (via Texas’ nation-leading HB 8 legislation passed in 2023) to reward targeted outcomes and increase funding and accessibility for the state’s economically and academically disadvantaged students.

Todd is the former Chair of the Citizen Budget Review Commission for Dallas ISD ($2.0 billion budget educating ~140,000 students). Todd is also the former chairman of both the Real Estate Finance and Investment Center (located at the University of Texas) and the Real Estate Council of Dallas, the city’s largest real estate organization.

Prior to dedicating his efforts full time as a volunteer to public education, Todd served as a partner and global co-head of Goldman Sachs’ real estate private equity investment area, retiring in 2010 following a 20-year career with the firm in their New York, Los Angeles and Dallas offices. Total assets under management purchased by GS-managed real estate funds exceeded $100 billion in cost, including $10 billion of equity invested by Goldman Sachs and its managing partners.

Todd earned an M.B.A. with distinction from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania  and graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Austin College in Sherman, Texas.

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A former Dallas ISD teacher, Joey is dedicated to fostering community leaders into public education advocates and ensuring public education leaders have the resources to create excellent, equitable learning environments. This commitment is driven by his own experiences in the education system, where he witnessed firsthand how effective leadership and high-quality teaching could unlock the limitless potential of Dallas students.

Joey’s passion for improving student outcomes was strengthened when he joined Leadership ISD as a Fellow in 2019 to gain a deeper understanding of the education system. During his Fellowship, he realized the importance of advocacy in bridging the equity gap in education. This realization fuels his current role as Leadership ISD’s regional director for Dallas County, where he leads initiatives such as the Civic Voices Fellowship, supports trustees, and builds community coalitions to improve student outcomes.

In addition to his work with Leadership ISD, Joey founded Firme DFW, a nonprofit organization that supports first-generation Latine students by providing scholarships and mentorships essential for their college success. He also serves on the board of Union, a local Dallas nonprofit. Joey holds a Bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University and a Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins University.

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Tamara grew up in Davie, Florida, and is a proud graduate of Broward County Public Schools. Her passion for non-profit and mission driven work began in Denver, Colorado, as a fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It was here she discovered her love for supporting leaders, building community capacity, and designing innovative strategies to accelerate and amplify impact.

After moving to Dallas and doing development work for an early childhood non-profit, Tamara realized that a high-quality public education wasn’t guaranteed to all students. She was deeply impacted by the fact that so many kids couldn’t access education to be a driver of choice and opportunity in their lives.. That knowledge led her to Leadership ISD where she was a Fellow in the Civic Voices Class of 2016 before joining the organization full time.

As Leadership ISD’s Vice President of Programs, Tamara develops and executes the organization’s strategy for improving student outcomes across North Texas through leadership development, the implementation of strong governance practices, coalition building, policy passage, and advocacy efforts. Tamara loves collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds who are all working toward a common goal while having the opportunity to design and facilitate experiences that open people up to new ideas and perspectives. She works closely with school board trustees and community advocates across North Texas, equipping them with data, best practices, governance supports, leadership training, and coaching. By building an ecosystem of shared ownership and accountability, she knows we can create an education system where every student feels seen, valued, and hopeful about their future. Simply put, Tamara sees her role as ensuring that excellent things happen for ALL students on purpose.

Tamara was selected as a member of Southern Methodist University’s inaugural Social Entrepreneurship program and received her certificate in 2024. She holds a B.A from Syracuse University. She currently volunteers for several organizations working with students, serves on the board of Firme DFW, and is the extremely proud mentor of six first generation Dallas County students. Outside of work, Tamara enjoys all things outdoors and water-related, reading, learning, and cheering on all of her favorite Florida sports teams.

Jasmine Ray was born in Albany, Georgia but raised all over the world as the child of two military parents.

Prior to joining the Commit Partnership, her commitment to educational equity led her to City Year Dallas, where she served for two years working with students in Dallas ISD and Uplift Education. Throughout her tenure, she mentored and tutored students in high-need schools, aiming to improve their academic success and graduation rates. This experience inspired her to continue seeking ways to make a broader impact and drive systemic change. Joining Commit has aligned with her mission that education should be accessible for all students, regardless of their background.

In her free time, she enjoys reading a good mystery book (preferably by J.D. Robb), hiking, watching Grey's Anatomy, and spending time with her mom, her partner and their sweet puppy, Teddy.

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Joshua Edwards was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a city known for developing one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States, known as Black Wall Street. While growing up in a historic community, Joshua gained a heart for seeing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) obtain and maintain economic and educational success, which has led him down a path of discovering ways in which he can align his passion for systemic change with his communication skills.

Prior to joining the Commit Partnership, Joshua was a Content Writing intern for Goodera in 2020, a global CSR and Sustainability platform that helps companies provide their employees with volunteering opportunities offered by nonprofits across the globe. In 2021, Joshua further explored his communication skills through freelance opportunities with Entertainment Weekly and Andscape, an affiliate of ESPN. Joshua published several bylines, ranging from red carpet premieres to college basketball games. His freelance experiences concluded in the summer of 2022, when he gained a communications internship with Teneo Strategy, supporting executives in ongoing communications efforts through social media research, communications strategy, and planning. The skills he acquired in consulting were then transferred to his most recent role with Harvard University as an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Anti-racism (EDIBA) internship fellow. Joshua worked to ensure Harvard Library’s content was accessible and inclusive for all students, faculty, and staff. Working under EDIBA, he was able to refocus his attention toward his passion for disadvantaged communities, which has led him to his most recent role as a Communications Associate at Commit Partnership.

Joshua obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at Jackson State University in Journalism and Media Studies. He plans to further his educational and professional experiences in the field of Communications.

As the youngest of five, he enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. Outside of maintaining cherished relationships, he spends the majority of his leisure time listening to podcasts or creating mood boards on Pinterest.

Originally from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Sidney brings a background in social impact consulting, event strategy and community engagement to her work at The Commit Partnership. Her experience spans initiatives focused on education, housing, food security, economic mobility, career readiness and leadership development, including supporting local community initiatives and global programs focused on expanding opportunities for underrepresented talent.

Sidney earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science with double minors in communications and legal studies from Dallas Baptist University, as well as a master’s degree in human relations with a specialization in diversity, equity and social justice from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to joining Commit, she worked across consulting and nonprofit spaces managing stakeholder engagement efforts, events and cross-sector projects.

When not in the office, Sidney enjoys trying new restaurants, making memories with family and cheering on Dallas-area sports teams.

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Ben Higgins is the Director of Research, Policy, and Performance Evaluation at Commit where he leads research and evaluation efforts. He has dedicated his career to promoting educational equity and helping under-resourced classrooms around the world. He has worked in schools and with non-profits located in Dallas; Abu Dhabi; London; the South Bronx, New York; San Jose, California; and Oakland, California.

Prior to joining the Commit Partnership, Ben was a Dean at Uplift Luna Preparatory High School in Deep Ellum where he led the math, science, Spanish, and International Baccalaureate (IB) departments. Before his role at Uplift Luna, Ben was a high school physics teacher in San Jose, California.

Ben holds a BS in Physics from NYU Abu Dhabi, an MS in Education from Johns Hopkins University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Southern Methodist University. His research interests center around teacher retention, school accountability systems, and college and career readiness.

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David was born and raised in Indiana. He has lived in Texas for most of his adult life, where he has developed an aversion to freezing weather.

He began his career in business process & technology consulting across a variety of industries with Accenture and Deloitte. From there he followed a lifelong passion for maps into the GIS and spatial analytics field, specializing in retail location planning and economic development, providing services for commercial real estate brokers, government agencies, various retailers, and most recently Yum Brands’ Pizza Hut.

David studied Engineering at Purdue and Business at the University of Texas at Austin. His family’s strong education focus and his desire for data driven problem solving led to his current role with the Analytics Team at Commit.

Dhruv Suryavanshi is an Associate on the Analytics and Insights Team. He completed high school in 2020 and decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in Statistics. In August 2023, Dhruv moved to Houston to pursue a master's degree in Statistics and Data Science. He graduated in August 2024 after completing his summer fellowship at Commit.

Throughout the last year of his Bachelor's degree, Dhruv worked as a Data Analytics Intern at Johns Hopkins Center for Infectious Diseases in India. During the Spring 2024 semester of his Master's degree he worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Houston's Business College where he extracted and analyzed financial documents using Python.

Dhruv has always held the belief that education has the power to address larger global challenges, and he sees data as the most effective tool for driving systemic changes in education. Commit’s focus on data-driven strategies strongly resonated with him, leading to his involvement as a Summer Fellow in the 2024-25 cohort. He now continues his work as an Associate on the Analytics and Insights team.

Jackie Romero was born and raised Dallas, Texas. She grew up in DISD’s public education system and had the opportunity to attend Southern Methodist University (SMU) upon high school graduation. She was exposed to many pivotal opportunities throughout her years of schooling within DISD thanks to the guidance of dedicated and caring teachers and staff. She recognizes the strong impact these individuals have on students like herself and this motivates her to provide as much support and guidance for students, teachers, and organizations within her community.

Prior to joining the Commit Partnership, Jackie served as an Assistant Director for Undergraduate Admission at SMU where she also oversaw SMU’s Mustang Scholars Program. This program is geared towards rewarding high achieving, low SES students within Dallas County by making a private university education financially feasible. Given SMU’s partnership with Dallas Promise, she worked closely with Commit staff and Promise students across Dallas County.

Jackie completed both her MBA, with a concentration in Business Analytics, and her Bachelor of Science in Geophysics from Southern Methodist University. She credits her accomplishments to her parents who immigrated to Dallas from El Salvador almost 30 years ago. Their sacrifices and work ethic continue to motivate her work and service to her community.

Born in Chicago and raised in Milwaukee, Abby has proudly called Dallas-Fort Worth home for the past nine years. A proud graduate of Wisconsin public schools, she earned dual degrees in psychology and sociology from Emory University in Atlanta, where she developed a strong interest in child advocacy and social impact.

After college, Abby joined Teach for America and taught Algebra I to emerging bilingual students in Dallas ISD. Witnessing systemic inequities that limited student access to instruction and resources, she pursued her M.A. in education at Southern Methodist University.

Her passion for supporting students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds led her to serve as Refugee Program Coordinator at Conrad High School. While at Dallas ISD, Abby helped lead several collective impact efforts, including the Teen Pregnancy & Parenting Program, the Home Visit Project, and the Refugee Mentoring Initiative.

Now a member of Commit’s Strategic Initiatives team, Abby brings her love of data-informed innovation and community empowerment to her work. Outside of the office, you’ll find her mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters, fostering dogs, competing in trivia, or seeking out Dallas’ top sushi spots—all alongside her three dogs and cat.

Allison is a Texas native and has spent a good chunk of her life driving I-35 between her hometown of San Antonio and childhood stomping ground of DFW.

During her time at UTSA, she found her passion for civic engagement and data-driven solutions while acting as a policy advisor for the Mayor’s Youth Council to address the school-to-prison pipeline in San Antonio school districts and across the state. From teaching Pre-K and kindergarten, to working with special populations, to supporting research and advocacy efforts across the state, Allison comes to Commit with several years of experience working in and with communities to identify problems, communicate data, and design and implement creative and effective solutions. Immediately before starting at Commit, Allison spent a year volunteering with the AmeriCorps VISTA program at Children at Risk, where she supported programmatic and legislative efforts to improve education, health, and quality of life for children across Texas.

Outside of work, Allison has passions for her wife and family, their adorably scrappy dog Einstein, classical piano, reading, cooking, glitter, and Manchester United.

Cam Hedden was born and raised in Shelbyville, Kentucky where he attended the same public school district from kindergarten through 12th grade. In high school, he was elected to represent students on the board of education and was able to provide insight onto what was working and not working for students.

In college, Cam became interested in studying the mind and human behavior through a medical lens. This interest led him to a local middle school as part of a community-integrated child psychology course. Disappointed by what he was seeing in classrooms, Cam joined Teach for America as a member of the 2021 Dallas-Fort Worth Corps. During his time in the corps, Cam worked with colleagues and district leadership to enhance and develop safe student spaces as well as additional training for teachers to support queer students. He also contributed to a game changing Algebra/Robotics joint curriculum that led his students to not only find new interests through math, but also to great success on the STAAR exam. Cam has taught chemistry, algebra I, and geometry to hundreds of students across two districts in DFW and believes that education is a form of healthcare – giving students the tools and the support they need to be themselves and live long, happy, and healthy lives as a result.

Cam graduated summa cum laude from Emory University with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. Cam also holds a Master of Education degree with a STEM concentration from Southern Methodist University. Outside of work, Cam enjoys cooking, playing sand volleyball, and spending time with his partner Jorge and their dog Luna.

Celia Xie was born and raised in China and moved to the United States at age 15, a life transition that deepened her awareness of how educational systems shape opportunity. Her passion for education equity began while volunteering as a teacher in rural Chinese schools, where she witnessed stark disparities in access to quality education. That experience planted the seed for her long-standing commitment to expanding educational opportunity—especially for students from low-income backgrounds.

Celia pursued this interest academically, earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Psychology from New York University, where she completed her undergraduate thesis on FAFSA completion among underserved student populations. She later earned a master's in International Comparative Education from Stanford University, where her research focused on a quantitative comparative study of financial aid systems in China and the U.S. Her work explored how policy design impacts access to higher education for low-income students, reinforcing her belief in using data to inform equity-centered decision-making.

Through the Education Pioneers Summer Fellowship, Celia joined The Commit Partnership as an Analytics and Insights Fellow, where she focused on accountability metrics and student growth using STAAR data. She has since transitioned to a full-time role as a Data Consultant on the Educator Effectiveness team, where she supports teacher certification, TIA, and strategic staffing initiatives. Celia is especially passionate about making student progress and educator impact more visible through accessible, actionable data.

Outside of work, Celia enjoys yoga, hiking, travel, and exploring new food, always in search of the next café or local favorite to try.

Highly committed to public education, Devron Armstrong manages the Best In Class coalition at The Commit Partnership. Devron has more than fifteen years of experience as an education professional, and is currently a 2020-2021 fellow in Leadership ISD’s Civic Voices Fellowship in the Dallas, Texas area. He has taught and coached all subjects across grades 5 – 12 while serving in various capacities such as content leader, teacher leader, Dean, Dean of Instruction, and Assistant Principal.

As a founding Dean and Dean of Instruction at two large public charters in the Houston area, Devron observed, coached and evaluated a cohort of teachers across all grade levels and disciplines and shaped school culture using a fully restorative justice-based approach. Due to the hard work of the staff, teachers, parents, students, and community, 100% of students since the school’s first graduating class have earned a high school diploma and admission to a two- or four-year college at both schools.

Devron has also worked as a professional development consultant. He supported campuses and districts in developing targeted academic intervention plans using MAP essential reports. Devron also works as an adjunct professor at Houston Community College in the Alternative Teacher Certification Program. In his spare time, Devron pursues his passion for health and nutrition and rollerblading with his business and non-profit Wholelistic Foods.

A public-school graduate from Killeen High School in Killeen ISD, Devron earned his master’s in education – Administration and Supervision from The University of Houston Main Campus in 2012. Devron graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX in 2006. Devron is actively certified as a K – 12 principal and generalist (grades 4 – 8) with English as a Second Language supplemental from the State Board for Educator Certification. He is currently pursuing an advanced degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Devron currently lives and serves in West Dallas area.

Born in Japan and raised in Washington State, Isabelle is a first-generation college student whose passion for education was shaped by the dedicated teachers and supportive learning environments she experienced growing up. That early access to quality education and the challenges of navigating college without a familial blueprint inspired her commitment to ensuring all students have the opportunity to thrive.

Following her passion for quality education, Isabelle received a BA in education at the University of Washington. She then joined Teach for America and moved to Dallas to teach high school math. She later earned her master's degree in education from Southern Methodist University. Over four years in the classroom, she became especially passionate about working with English language learners and students in deaf education, finding joy in building relationships and adapting instruction to meet diverse learning needs.

Isabelle brings that same heart for people to her work at Commit, where she’s motivated by the belief that systemic change is only possible when every student feels seen, valued, and supported. She is deeply committed to cultivating belonging, uplifting cultural diversity, and learning from others’ lived experiences to inform more equitable and inclusive educational systems.

Outside of work, Isabelle recharges through activities that let her creativity flow: crocheting, crafting, and reading. She also enjoys quiet moments with her dog, Honey. Isabelle is deeply close to her family and looks up to the kindness, integrity, and resilience they model in both their personal lives and professions.

Lila was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where her passion for education was shaped by her mother, a public-school educator who instilled in her a deep respect for the teaching profession and a lasting belief in the transformative power of education.

After earning a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from New Mexico State University, Lila discovered her passion for working with children while serving as a Director at a children's theater. She went on to substitute teach across Las Cruces and later worked as an educational aide supporting students in special populations; experiences that solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in education.

Lila moved to Dallas to join Urban Teachers, where she earned her teaching certification and a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University. She taught elementary school in Dallas ISD before becoming a STEM teacher in Fort Worth ISD, helping students explore future academic pathways and careers in STEM fields.

During her years in the classroom, Lila witnessed firsthand the academic and systemic gaps that exist within the public education system. Those experiences inspired her to work toward a future where every student learns from a well-prepared, highly effective, certified teacher. That commitment led her to City Teaching Alliance, where she supported aspiring teachers through preparation, certification, and early-career development.

At Commit, Lila is excited to help improve student outcomes and create opportunities for every student to access a high-quality public education.

Outside of work, Lila enjoys listening to music, singing, and watching documentaries. She also serves on the boards of Firme DFW and Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.

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Memusi Ntore was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. As a first-generation American born to parents who immigrated from Kenya, Memusi learned early that quality education is the best pathway to a better life.

His passion for mathematics began in school, leading him to tutor his peers in the subject throughout high school and college. This passion led him to pursue a career in education with the desire to mentor young people from similar backgrounds. Memusi has gained diverse experiences throughout his career: serving as a founding team member at a charter school in Kansas City, MO, teaching and mentoring high school students at his alma mater in Marietta, GA, and teaching in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the United States within Dallas ISD at Sam Tasby Middle School, where he worked with English learners, many of whom were newly arrived immigrants and refugees.

These experiences underscored the importance of high-quality math education from caring and effective teachers and the many systemic inequalities stand in the way of that success. This led Memusi to move into a role that affects change at the systems level.

Before joining Commit, Memusi worked in Chicago, IL as a data analyst at Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University. There, he collaborated with district, community and statewide partners to evaluate polices and practices that ensure successful transitions to and through postsecondary and career opportunities, especially for historically marginalized populations.

Memusi holds a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education from Georgia State University. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, taking long walks their dog, reading, traveling, and watching an assortment of sports.

Mercedes is a first-generation college graduate whose passion for education was shaped by her educational experience in NM. Inspired by her older sister’s path, she is committed to ensuring all students—especially in math—have access to quality learning opportunities.

With experience as a math teacher, Intervention Specialist, and MTSS coordinator, Mercedes believes all kids are math kids. She focused on building student confidence, using data to tailor instruction, and aligning curriculum to high standards.

Now an Impact Fellow with Commit, she works to expand access to advanced math pathways. She is dedicated to breaking down barriers and ensuring more students—particularly those from underserved communities—have the opportunity to excel in math.

Outside of work, Mercedes enjoys traveling to Mexico City, horseback riding, and visiting her sisters in New Mexico.

Dr. Tami Jenkins, a fervent advocate for high-quality education, has dedicated over two decades to transforming teacher education to ensure exceptional educators for all students. She actively coaches, encourages, and collaborates with educators to foster positive change.

Dr. Jenkins’s educational journey began in Chicago, where she obtained her teacher certification and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Saint Xavier University. Subsequently, she relocated to Texas to teach in Houston ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, and Richardson ISD. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Jenkins expanded her expertise by joining state (Texas TAP) and national (National Institute for Excellence in Teaching) reform efforts. These efforts aimed to revolutionize teacher coaching, training, and teacher evaluation, while also providing support to district leaders in implementing these transformative reforms.

After a decade of leadership in teacher preparation at Texas Tech, Dr. Jenkins eagerly joined Commit to collaborate with Dallas County districts and educator preparation programs. Her mission is to ensure positive student outcomes and establish high-quality teacher systems. To enhance her expertise and impact, Dr. Jenkins earned her Doctorate in Education from Northcentral University in 2019.

In her free time, she cherishes spending time with her family, listening to music, watching movies, and engaging in creative pursuits like painting.

Vanessa was born and raised in Compton, California, and is a first-generation college graduate. Her own journey navigating schools that were not always designed for historically marginalized students sparked a lifelong mission for creating equitable learning outcomes for all learners. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every early learner has access to high-quality learning that lays the foundation for lifelong success.

Those experiences shaped her path into the classroom as a 1st, 2nd, and 5th grade bilingual teacher in Fort Worth ISD. Over the next decade, Vanessa served as a principal, consultant, and district leader, most recently directing Elementary Emergent Bilingual Programs in Fort Worth ISD. In that role, she designed and implemented districtwide systems that strengthened PK–5 Dual Language and ESL programming and instruction for more than 15,000 students.

Vanessa graduated from the University of Southern California with a dual B.A. in Political Science and Sociology and from Teachers College, Columbia University with an M.A. in Organizational Leadership. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in PK–12 Educational Leadership at Texas Christian University.

Melissa, originally from Clinton, Oklahoma has called Fort Worth, TX home for more than 20 years. It was in Fort Worth she solidified her commitment to public education.  This commitment is rooted in the belief that every student deserves access to excellent schools—and that developing exceptional educators and leaders is one of the most powerful ways to make that promise a reality.

A longtime Texas educator, Melissa began her career in the classroom before moving into campus and district leadership. Over more than two decades in public education, she has served as a teacher, dean, principal, lead principal, and district executive leader, working alongside educators and communities to strengthen instruction, develop leaders, and improve outcomes for students. As a middle school principal in Fort Worth ISD, Melissa led significant improvements in academic performance and school culture, experiences that reinforced her belief that sustainable school improvement happens when strong instructional systems are paired with trust, collaboration, high-quality curriculum and instruction and investment in people.

Melissa later expanded her impact at the district level, supporting school leaders and instructional improvement across 8 high school campuses. Throughout her career, she has designed and implemented systems for professional learning communities, instructional planning, data-driven decision-making, leadership development, and continuous improvement. Her work is grounded in translating strategy into practice—helping educators and leaders build the capacity and conditions necessary to deliver stronger outcomes for students.

Melissa earned her Doctor of Education from Texas Christian University, where her research examined principal leadership, relational trust, and professional learning communities within school improvement contexts. She also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Tarleton State University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication from the University of Texas at Arlington.

In her current role as Director of Educator Development at the Commit Partnership, Melissa leads academic readiness initiatives designed to strengthen educator practice and accelerate student outcomes across Dallas County. Her work includes developing and supporting educator communities of practice, leading the Dallas County Coaching Summit, and partnering with school systems on school improvement initiatives. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, principal, and district leader, Melissa works to connect regional strategy with the day-to-day realities of schools—creating opportunities for educators and leaders to learn from one another, strengthen instructional practice, and build collective capacity for lasting improvement.

Across her work, Melissa brings a practitioner’s perspective to systems-level change, connecting research, strategy, and implementation to help ensure that more students across Dallas County experience excellent teaching, strong schools, and expanded opportunities for their future.

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Ashley Barco was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. She is a proud graduate of DeSoto High School in DeSoto ISD, and is currently enrolled in Navarro College working towards her B.S. in Accounting.

Prior to her role at Commit, Ashley worked as an Office Manager in Accounts Payable & Receivable and Human Resources at the Salvation Army. Now, as a Finance Manager at the Commit Partnership, she's proud to be working in support of fellow public school students across the state.

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Born in Austin but raised in San Antonio, Gretta Kershner is a proud Texas native. The daughter of a school principal – in fact, her middle school principal – Gretta knew from an early age that she wanted a career in education. After attending Texas A&M University and receiving her B.S. in Political Science, she took an opportunity to join the DFW Teach for America corps. Seeing firsthand the disparities of access within her new community, she continued her education and received a M.Ed. in Urban Education from Southern Methodist University.

As a former Dallas ISD social studies educator and school administrator, Gretta believes that policy based on data analysis drives systemic change. She joins the Early Matters Dallas team as an eager associate, ready to support regional coalitions and thought partners in changing the early childhood landscape.

In her spare time, Gretta is busy achieving her personal goal of visiting all fifty states, walking her neighborhood trails, and enjoying a shot of espresso on the patio. She thanks her family for the encouragement, her colleagues for constant growth, and her former students for reminding her ‘why.’

PJ was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois, and has always been driven by a curiosity for how technology can create meaningful change. That curiosity grew into a passion for building secure, efficient systems that make work easier, remove barriers, and empower people to do their best.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Information Technology and a Master’s in Data Science, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland Global Campus. With more than a decade of experience in IT support and operations, PJ focuses on connecting people and technology in ways that strengthen security, simplify processes, and keep teams working smoothly.

A fifth-generation Texan, Andrea grew up in Mansfield and Fort Worth, where her mother taught high school English and her father served on the local School Board. Andrea is a passionate advocate for education, healthcare, and the arts. She earned her BA from Barnard College, where she graduated Cum Laude, her MFA from New York University, and is abd toward her doctorate in American Literature at Southern Methodist University. She has taught Rhetoric, English, Creative Writing, and Women’s and Gender Studies at NYU, SMU, and UT Dallas. She also served as Department Chair and taught high school English at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth.

In 2018, Andrea left the classroom to join the development team at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, where she served as Director of Annual Giving, and later, Senior Director of Grants. Since then, she acted as Lead Campaign and Development writer at SMU, where she wrote the case statement for the SMU Ignited capital campaign, as Managing Director of Major Gifts at Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth, and Vice President of Development at Forest Forward.

Andrea proudly serves as her Barnard Alumni Class President and as Leadership Assembly Chair for her alma mater. She also sits on the advisory board for Deep Vellum Publishing. She has published articles in The New York Times, Texas Highways, and D Magazine, among other places. At Commit, she focuses on institutional investments for EC-12.

Originally from Cedar Park, Texas, Caroline has always been motivated by connection and the power of storytelling. Her passion for building relationships and creating meaningful impact drives her work each day as she manages investor relations and events for The Commit Partnership.

Caroline earned both her bachelor’s degree in public relations and her master’s degree in mass communication from Texas Tech University. She brings a thoughtful and creative approach to her work, believing that strong relationships and clear communication can help advance lasting change for students and communities across Texas.

Outside the office, Caroline enjoys live music, cheering on the Red Raiders, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Danyale Fletcher was born and raised in Dallas and is a proud graduate of Oklahoma State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration at the University of Texas at Arlington, with a focus in nonprofit management.

With a passion for closing opportunity gaps and ensuring equal access to resources for all, Danyale is deeply committed to promoting social equity and community empowerment. Her early career began in the legal field as a legal assistant, where she supported multiple attorneys. That experience shifted her focus toward public service, where she believes she can make a larger impact on the communities she cares about. Danyale has since gained administrative and project management experience across various sectors, with a strong commitment to efficiency and positive change.

Outside of her professional roles, Danyale enjoys engaging in community service activities that foster positive change in communities, running, baking, and spending time with her family. Her personal mission is to create pathways to success for underrepresented communities through nonprofit work.

David was born and raised in Mesquite attending Title 1 schools. However, it wasn’t until he volunteered and worked for nonprofits serving economically disadvantaged communities that he began to understand the systemic barriers his peers faced in and out of the classroom.

After graduating from North Mesquite High School, he attended Texas A&M University where he got his Bachelor of Arts and Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Bush School of Government and Public Service. His time working for youth and place-based organizations helped him see how philanthropy can create opportunities and influence education systems to help young people achieve their goals.

In his role at Commit, David collaborates with national philanthropic institutions and corporations to strategically reinvest in initiatives that create more equitable school systems. Prior to Commit, David held leadership fundraising positions at some of Dallas’ largest youth development organizations including Big Thought and Mercy Street in West Dallas.

Naureen Rajan serves as the Sr. Director of Philanthropy at The Commit Partnership. Naureen and her team will focus on raising mission critical funds through grant and foundation revenue, focused on a united vision to increase living wage attainment by equitably increasing educational success.

She is a seasoned fundraiser with over 20 years of experience working for non-profits across the country. Her passion for being a servant leader, mixed with her compassion for those in need is unparalleled. She is a strategic and results driven leader, with expertise in revenue management, data analysis, donor relations, volunteer leadership and community engagement.

Naureen graduated from Austin College in Sherman, TX with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Immediately following graduation, Naureen joined the Peace Corps and served as an English Teacher in Burkina Faso, West Africa. There she made strong community ties and even started a library in her village.

Naureen is a proud wife, mother of two beautiful girls and a dog named Rocky. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing pickleball, hiking and watching sports.

She is excited to join The Commit Partnership team and looks forward to increasing the organizations capacity to raise more money via a robust grants and foundations portfolio of investors.

Sally Mann is a passionate advocate for education and community, with a heart for making the world a better place. Growing up in Ohio, and experiencing the Ohio Public School system firsthand, Sally is deeply committed to ensuring everyone has access to quality education. She earned her B.S.A. in Anthropology from Eastern Kentucky University, where she focused on Culture and Sustainable Development.

With almost a decade of experience in fundraising and development, Sally has worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations dedicated to education, human rights, and sustainable environmental causes. She’s driven by a love for helping others and works every day to make sure underserved communities and the planet receive the support they deserve.

Raised in DeSoto, Texas, Tamara brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to her work grounded in a long-standing commitment to nonprofit and community-based impact in Dallas. Her passion for supporting women, children, and families, particularly through education, has guided both her academic and professional journey. Tamara holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, which shaped her understanding of systems, policy, and civic engagement, and a Master of Science in Public Leadership with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership from UNT Dallas, which gave her a unique perspective on the Dallas nonprofit landscape.

Drawing on years of hands-on experience in nonprofit development, Tamara has supported grant portfolios, donor stewardship, and fundraising initiatives that strengthen programs and operations. In her role as Associate, Grants and Fundraising, she supports development operations by managing grant activity, strengthening internal processes, and helping align resources with organizational priorities. Outside of work, Tamara enjoys crafting and art projects, karaoke, puzzles, concerts, travel, and spending time with her family.

Veronica was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch area attending McLaughlin in her early days and Newman Smith for high school. She has dedicated the past 14 years to raising funds for various initiatives across Dallas nonprofits including Ursuline Academy, the University of Dallas, and Catholic Charities. She is passionate about education, and more importantly equity in education, which is why joining the Commit Partnership team is such an honor for her.

She is a proud product of Dallas College and experienced the challenges in transferring to a 4-year university as a first-generation student. Because of this, she is especially excited to support Commit’s efforts in college & career readiness and postsecondary success.

Veronica has joyfully served as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor for the past 17 years with her most recent matches being at New Tech High School at B.F. Darrell and Irving High School. She enjoys road trips with her husband, going for long walks and hikes (when the temperature is a perfect 72 degrees), and playing cards and board games with her sisters. Truly, her favorite role in life is being an aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Evy grew up in Franklin, TN and graduated from the University of Alabama with her BA in International Relations and Spanish in 2023. While in school, she had the opportunity to work as a tutor in several Title I elementary schools in her community, which sparked her interest in education and her desire to provide access to quality education opportunities. Evy has developed her fluency in Spanish while working with immigrant and Latino/a communities in the South and is passionate about providing these students with the resources and supports they need to succeed.

Following her undergraduate graduation, Evy began her Master of Public Policy degree at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, where she serves as the Co-President of the Education Policy Student Association and regularly convenes peers and faculty members to discuss issues related to education policy. She believes education is the foundation for social, academic, and professional success and knows that thoughtful policy is an important lever in generating these outcomes.

Evy has worked as an intern for several education-based organizations across the country and had the opportunity to join Commit in the Summer of 2024 as an Education Pioneers Summer Fellow. She continued to support the Policy team remotely from Chicago while finishing up her degree and now works full-time as a Data Consultant to provide data-driven insights for equitable education policy solutions.

Born and raised in Montgomery, Texas, Lauren is driven by her experiences as a kindergarten teacher and is passionate about aligning research, policy and practice to strengthen education systems. She earned a Bachelor of Science in human sciences from Texas Tech University, with an emphasis on human development, family studies and education, and a Master of Education from Lipscomb University. She is also a Ph.D. candidate in education policy and planning at the University of Texas.

At Commit, Lauren works to support students from early childhood through high school by advancing policies informed by data, grounded in classroom realities, and tied to long-term student outcomes.

Prior to joining Commit, Lauren served as the Senior Policy Associate for Early Learning at Texans Care for Children and as Director of Policy for the Texas House Early Childhood Caucus, where she led efforts to advance bipartisan legislation related to pre-K, early literacy and numeracy, bilingual education and early childhood special education.

In her free time, Lauren enjoys exploring Austin with her beloved dog, Margaret, and being her niece Elliott’s favorite aunt.

Lilac is a passionate education advocate born and raised in Memphis, TN. Before joining Commit, Lilac gained valuable experience as an intern teacher in underserved Memphis schools, where she witnessed firsthand how systemic inequities and external factors limited her students' access to opportunities. This experience served as a catalyst for her interest in education policy and fuels her commitment to serving students throughout her career.

Lilac has since worked in both the Senate Higher Education and the House Public Education Committees in the Texas Legislature, where she developed a deep understanding of Texas' legislative process and honed her skills in advocating for policies that drive systemic change. With a steadfast focus on improving student outcomes, Lilac remains dedicated to ensuring all students are provided high-quality opportunities on a path to economic mobility.

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Carissa was born and raised in Austin, Texas. In 2014, she moved to Dallas to attend college, where she ran track and cross-country. During her college years, she realized that teaching aligned with her professional interests: supporting people, finding joy in each new day, and creating space to travel.

While teaching, Carissa saw firsthand that students were not always provided equitable access to resources. Witnessing her students confront systemic barriers motivated her to pursue a Master of Education degree focused on social justice and global education.

After seven years working directly in education, Carissa transitioned into her current role at the Commit Partnership. She looks forward to supporting, connecting with, and empowering others who share her passion for changing the academic landscape in Texas.

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Travis Wharton is a native of Greenville, SC. During his undergraduate experience at Claflin University, Travis’ love of music and teaching merged as he was exposed to the inequities of access to arts education for students within his local school district. In his first teaching position as a middle school band director, Travis was able to create a thriving band program in a high-poverty community. This experience inspired Travis to learn more about scaling access and opportunity throughout the educational experience for all students.

After working as an elementary school principal and co-founder of a charter high school, Travis was drawn deeper into the analysis of school systems and the factors that influence inequitable student achievement outcomes. He carried this perspective into the development of The Wharton Company, a consulting firm focused on helping school districts, local municipalities, philanthropic organizations, and post-secondary institutions develop strategies for investing various resources into creating the conditions for upward mobility in low-income communities.

The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) program at Harvard University is preparing Travis for the highest levels of leadership in the cross-sector, place-based investment space where he is passionate about creating community-based exemplars of upward mobility and academic success. Travis will invest his final academic year in-residence at Commit focusing on a systems-level project aligned with strategic priorities of the organization.

Vanessa Somchith was born and raised in the Inland Empire in Southern California and is the daughter of Laotian refugees. Despite being a proud graduate of the public school system, Vanessa experienced firsthand the stark inequities in educational opportunity shaped by socioeconomic status and systemic barriers the second she stepped foot on her university. Those experiences sparked her commitment to creating more equitable education systems and ultimately brought her to Dallas through Teach for America.

For nearly a decade, Vanessa worked in Dallas public schools as a teacher, instructional coach, and advocate for emergent bilingual and refugee students. At Commit, she continues this work at the systems level by creating learning and development opportunities that equip education system changers to grow their impact.

Vanessa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Biology from Brown University as a first-generation college student and a Master of Education with a focus on STEM from Southern Methodist University. Outside of work, Vanessa spends her time tending to her ever-growing collection of plants, trying new recipes, and hanging out with her dog, Potato.  

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Jarrod brings a people-first, systems-minded approach to his work, partnering with senior leaders to build clarity, alignment, and momentum across the organization. As a Director and Special Assistant to the Chiefs, he supports executive strategy and execution while helping translate priorities into thoughtful, human-centered systems that enable teams to do their best work.

Before moving into people and operations roles, Jarrod worked in communications and audience relations at National Public Radio, produced events at an arts and culture center in Washington, DC, and managed sales and business operations at one of the country’s leading flexible workplace providers. These experiences shaped his belief that internal operations and people practices are powerful levers for organizational clarity, effectiveness, and impact.

Jarrod holds a journalism degree from Howard University and is a proud uncle to ten nieces and nephews — a role that’s sharpened his skills in conflict resolution, diplomacy, and snack negotiations. He is a native of northwest Louisiana.

Laura Vargas was born in Colombia but has spent most of her life in Texas, and is a proud graduate of Garland ISD. As the daughter of two bilingual teachers, she has always had a deep appreciation for the importance education can play in shaping lives. Throughout her life, Laura has sought out opportunities to be involved in education, such as working at a math learning center in high school and interning at an education nonprofit focused on creating leadership pathways for Latinos in education. In her role at Commit, she hopes to use data and strategic thinking to help tackle issues in our communities and public schools, and help achieve more equitable outcomes for all students.

Before joining Commit, Laura was working for a management consulting firm in Houston, working across industries to analyze data and solve business issues. While in consulting, Laura was able to work on projects for public sector and nonprofit clients, which helped fuel her interest in social impact and education.

Laura attended Rice University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. In her free time, Laura enjoys playing sand volleyball, reading, and trying new coffee spots.

Turner LaBrie was born in Lubbock, Texas, and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. While living in Virginia, Turner volunteered with an organization that empowered students and parents to take a greater role in their local and state education policy decisions. This experience led Turner to realize that the best and most equitable education policy outcomes arise from processes that include all stakeholders- parents and students included. In working for Commit, he strives to provide the best data possible to inform stakeholder decision-making.

Before joining Commit, Turner conducted financial and energy analyses for Virginia’s utility regulatory body, the State Corporation Commission. Additionally, he has experience in management consulting, working for a small firm in Blacksburg, Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Public Policy degree.

In his free time, Turner enjoys walking the Katy Trail, learning new recipes, and practicing piano. He thanks his family for all the love and support they’ve shown on his journey to Texas and Commit.

Whit grew up in Dallas, Texas, with a deep passion for improving his community. After college, he joined Teach for America, teaching 7th-grade math and coaching varsity soccer at Uplift Hampton Middle School. While he loved working with students, he became increasingly aware of the structural challenges in education, particularly the number of students struggling with foundational skills.

This realization led him to Commit, where he started as a fellow and progressed to associate before becoming manager of strategy and operations. In this role, he oversees finance, fundraising, and communication while working to drive meaningful, data-informed change in Texas public schools. Whit focuses on ensuring the right systems are in place so teams have the tools and support they need to succeed. By improving efficiency and empowering teams, he aims to drive greater economic mobility for students.

Karla Lainez was born in Houston, TX, but grew up in Pleasant Grove and attended Dallas ISD schools.

Prior to joining the Commit Partnership, Karla taught in Dallas for over five years, where she worked with students of exceptional ability. This inspired her to join Deloitte where, during her time at the firm as an Executive Coordinator, Karla supported over ten principals, partners and managing directors in various areas such as Cyber Security, Healthcare, Government Relations, Tax & Audit. She gained valuable experience, developed project management skills, problem solving skills, and built strong relationships with leaders.

While she knew the firm would continue to be successful, her community, Pleasant Grove had been evolving over the years, but at a slower rate, since she left in 2012 for college, and she felt she had a duty to support students in her community. As a former Dallas ISD teacher, Karla knew she needed to find a way to contribute to her community in a meaningful way. She wanted to provide students with the same educational and career opportunities and support she had. Joining Commit aligned with her mission to provide every student regardless of race, social economic background to earn a living wage.

Born in Buffalo, NY and raised in Bakersfield, CA, Paige is a Texas transplant. As the first person in her family to pursue college, she became interested in investigating the fears and barriers that had dissuaded the rest of her family from pursuing education.

This curiosity surrounding educational inequity grew during her various experiences student-teaching physics, leading a robotics after-school program, designing engineering curriculum, and executing research on educational outcomes in STEM for Emergent Bilingual students. These experiences and Paige’s emerging passion for ensuring all students could see themselves as “math people,” led her to join Teach for America as a member of the 2021 Dallas-Fort Worth Corps. Her goal remains to ensure all students, specifically those for whom our traditional education system was not designed, can achieve their highest potential in education and in life.

Paige graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Mathematics and holds an M.Ed. in STEM Education from Southern Methodist University. Outside of work, she’s passionate about animals, tennis, and the Buffalo Bills.

Sofia Muñoz was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, attending DISD schools for PK-12th grade. Growing up, her parents instilled the importance of education in her and her two younger sisters and paved the way for them to receive high-quality education. Being exposed to many peers who had such a diverse set of circumstances and backgrounds fueled her passion for advocacy and equality, especially when it comes to education and sports. Upon graduating high school, she was able to further both her educational and soccer career at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science in 2022.

Prior to working at Commit, Sofia knew she wanted to be in a role that uses data-driven insights to make a positive difference. After graduation, she chose Commit as her first step to making her own impact in ensuring equality for all students in the state of Texas and enjoys the work every day.

Sofia credits her success to her family, teachers, and coaches, and recognizes the impact of people in these positions on her and her peers’ lives. She hopes to have the same kind of impact on future generations.