DK Team

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Employees

  • Alexander Ooms
Alexander Ooms
Senior Fellow

Alex has been an active participant in Denver’s education community for over a decade. He was the founding Chair and is a current member of the Board of Trustees for STRIVE Preparatory Schools (formerly West Denver Prep); he also serves as an appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Charter Schools Institute; as a member of the national Board of Directors and the Credit Committee of the Charter Schools Development Corporation; a member of the board for Colorado Succeeds; and on the Advisory Board for the Colorado chapter of Stand for Children.

Alex has been an active participant in Denver’s education community for over a decade. He was the founding Chair and is a current member of the Board of Trustees for STRIVE Preparatory Schools (formerly West Denver Prep); he also serves as an appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Charter Schools Institute; as a member of the national Board of Directors and the Credit Committee of the Charter Schools Development Corporation; a member of the board for Colorado Succeeds; and on the Advisory Board for the Colorado chapter of Stand for Children. His previous pro bono experience includes appointments to the A+ Denver citizen's committee, the Systems Transformation Subcommittee of the Colorado P-20 Education Coordinating Council, and the Mayor’s Commission on Cultural Affairs.

Alex is also Managing Partner at ClearCreek Partners, a financial advisory firm that works with entrepreneurs and CEOs of private companies to help them raise capital or pursue strategic transactions. He has an MBA in Finance and Management Strategy from the Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University, an MA in English Literature from Georgetown University, and a BA in Philosophy from Vassar College.

A regular contributor to local news site Education News Colorado, Alex has made numerous media appearances and authored regular op-eds on education topics. Alex hosts a regular blog, Ooms With A View also active on Twitter.

 He lives in Denver with his wife, three children, and a big furry dog.

Alex's work for DK:

"Great Expectations, Mixed Results: Standards and Performance in Denver's New Public Schools 2007-2011"

"True North: Goals for Denver Public Schools"

 

Alex has been an active participant in Denver’s education community for over a decade. He was the founding Chair and is a current member of the Board of Trustees for STRIVE Preparatory Schools (formerly West Denver Prep); he also serves as an appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Charter Schools Institute; as a member of the national Board of Directors and the Credit Committee of the Charter Schools Development Corporation; and on the Advisory Board for the Colorado chapter of Stand for Children. His previous pro bono experience includes appointments to the A+ Denver citizen's committee, the Systems Transformation Subcommittee of the Colorado P-20 Education Coordinating Council, and the Mayor’s Commission on Cultural Affairs.

  • Alexander Ooms
  • Alexander Ooms
  • Carmelita Galicia-Munoz
Carmelita Galicia-Munoz
Director of Administration

Carmelita comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation with a background in event planning and conference service management. Carmelita started her career at the Hotel Monaco-Denver where she planned and managed various meetings and events for corporate, non-profit, social and entertainment groups.

Carmelita comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation with a background in event planning and conference service management. Carmelita started her career at the Hotel Monaco-Denver where she planned and managed various meetings and events for corporate, non-profit, social and entertainment groups. She’s planned events ranging from weddings to national sales meetings, birthday parties to retreats and everything else in-between. She enjoys seeing an event start from the very beginning planning stages and then turn into something extraordinary.

Carmelita graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Colorado Christian University. Her Business Administration degree comes in very handy since she is in charge of the foundation’s administrative duties such as accounting, finance, purchasing and grant processing. In addition to this, Carmelita’s event planning background helps spearhead our monthly Hot Lunch speaker series and other various meetings and events.

Carmelita is a Colorado native and grew up on, or always very near to, her family’s farm in Brighton, Colorado. In her spare time she loves to run (and recently completed her first marathon), stamp up her passport, go to concerts, and spend time with her family, friends and adorable French bulldog, Chancho.

Carmelita comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation with a background in event planning and conference service management. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Colorado Christian University. Carmelita started her career at the Hotel Monaco-Denver where she planned and managed various meetings and events for corporate, non-profit, social and entertainment groups. She helps spearhead the monthly Hot Lunch speaker series and other various meetings and events.

  • Carmelita Galicia-Munoz
  • Carmelita Galicia-Munoz
  • Kim Knous-Dolan
Kim Knous Dolan
Associate Director

Kim's work has revolved around school accountability, new school development, students off-track to graduation, high school dropouts and the school leadership pipeline. In 2006 she helped lead the Manual High School renewal and support initiative as a loaned executive to Denver Public Schools. She most recently served as co-chair on the committee to find a new school leader for Manual and continues to support Manual's development.

Kim's work has revolved around school accountability, new school development, students off-track to graduation, high school dropouts and the school leadership pipeline. Read more about Kim's focus at the foundation.

In 2006 she helped lead the Manual High School renewal and support initiative as a loaned executive to Denver Public Schools. She most recently served as co-chair on the committee to find a new school leader for Manual and continues to support Manual's development. 

Prior to joining the foundation, Kim worked on state policy issues for Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) as well as the Colorado Association of School Boards. She also served as legislative aide to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), and was Associate Director of the Democratic Steering Committee in Washington, DC. 

Kim actively fundraises for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, serves on the board of STRIVE Preparatory Schools (formerly West Denver Prep), participated in Leadership Denver (class of '05) and sits on the Educational Success Task Force. Kim also was selected as one of Colorado's "fifty for the future" by the Colorado Statesman in 2007. She holds a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Colorado at Denver. 

Kim, a Denver native, enjoys spending time with her two adorable and energetic young daughters and practicing yoga.

During her eight years at the foundation, Kim's work has revolved around school accountability, new school development, students off-track to graduation, high school dropouts and the school leadership pipeline. In 2006 she helped lead the Manual High School renewal and support initiative as a loaned executive to Denver Public Schools. She currently serves on the board of STRIVE Preparatory Schools (formerly West Denver Prep), and she sits on the Educational Success Task Force.

  • Kim Knous-Dolan
  • Kim Knous-Dolan
Lauren Gibbs
Director of External Relations

A recent transplant from Washington, DC, Lauren brings a decade of experience in education reform policy and communications. Prior to joining the Donnell-Kay Foundation, Lauren contributed to the development, implementation, and communications for national education reforms including Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) and Race to the Top. Most recently, Lauren was Director of External Affairs at the Success for All Foundation, where she worked with federal officials, the media, and partner organizations to promote the successful implementation of their $50 million Investing in Innovation award.

A recent transplant from Washington, DC, Lauren brings a decade of experience in education reform policy and communications.  Prior to joining the Donnell-Kay Foundation, Lauren contributed to the development, implementation, and communications for national education reforms including Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) and Race to the Top. 
 
Most recently, Lauren was Director of External Affairs at the Success for All Foundation, where she worked with federal officials, the media, and partner organizations to promote the successful implementation of their $50 million Investing in Innovation award. At Hope Street Group, Lauren worked with five leading states on stakeholder engagement for the design and implementation of teacher evaluation reforms and trained teachers to amplify their voices through social media.  While at the Johns Hopkins Center for Research and Reform in Education, Lauren educated lawmakers about the importance of evidence based education reform and advocated for policies later enacted as the Investing in Innovation fund. 
 
Before entering the non-profit sector, Lauren held two positions in the United States Congress.  As professional staff with the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Lauren was part of the team leading the Democratic strategy for higher education reauthorization, including college affordability.  Lauren started her career in DC as a legislative assistant with U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva, where she worked on all issues related to education, labor, health, welfare,  women, and children.   
 
Lauren has a bachelors degree in political science and philosophy from Albright College, and masters degree in public administration and nonprofit management from George Washington University. 
 
Lauren and her dog Darby are excited to adopt the Denver lifestyle, as both are avid hikers. Lauren is an aspiring intermediate skier, an amateur photographer, and an experienced Latin American traveler.

A recent transplant from Washington, DC, Lauren brings a decade of experience in education reform policy and communications.  Prior to joining the Donnell-Kay Foundation, Lauren contributed to the development, implementation, and communications for national education reforms including Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) and Race to the Top. 
 
Most recently, Lauren was Director of External Affairs at the Success for All Foundation, where she worked with federal officials, the media, and partner organizations to promote the successful implementation of their $50 million Investing in Innovation award. At Hope Street Group, Lauren worked with five leading states on stakeholder engagement for the design and implementation of teacher evaluation reforms and trained teachers to amplify their voices through social media.  While at the Johns Hopkins Center for Research and Reform in Education, Lauren educated lawmakers about the importance of evidence based education reform and advocated for policies later enacted as the Investing in Innovation fund. 
 
Before entering the non-profit sector, Lauren held two positions in the United States Congress.  As professional staff with the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Lauren was part of the team leading the Democratic strategy for higher education reauthorization, including college affordability.  Lauren started her career in DC as a legislative assistant with U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva, where she worked on all issues related to education, labor, health, welfare,  women, and children.   
 
Lauren has a bachelors degree in political science and philosophy from Albright College, and masters degree in public administration and nonprofit management from George Washington University. 
 
Lauren and her dog Darby are excited to adopt the Denver lifestyle, as both are avid hikers. Lauren is an aspiring intermediate skier, an amateur photographer, and an experienced Latin American traveler.

  • Matt Samelson
Matt Samelson
Director of Special Projects

This is Matt’s second stint with the Foundation. Previously, his research at DKF contributed to the legislation that became the Building Excellent Schools Today program at the Colorado Department of Education. He also worked in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council to introduce a Green Schools conference in Colorado.

This is Matt’s second stint with the Foundation. Previously, his research at DKF contributed to the legislation that became the Building Excellent Schools Today program at the Colorado Department of Education. He also worked in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council to introduce a Green Schools conference in Colorado.

Prior to working at Donnell-Kay, Matt was a journalist for eight years and also worked for several natural resource and water organizations. Matt has a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Colorado Denver and a law degree from the University of Colorado Boulder.

A Colorado native, Matt has lived in a variety of towns across the state and enjoys playing outside on skis or a mountain bike.

This is Matt’s second stint with the Foundation. Previously, his research at DK contributed to the legislation that became the Building Excellent Schools Today program at the Colorado Department of Education. He also worked in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council to introduce a Green Schools conference in Colorado. Matt has a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Colorado Denver and a law degree from the University of Colorado Boulder.

  • Matt Samelson
  • Matt Samelson
  • Tony Lewis
Tony Lewis
Executive Director

Tony has been executive director of the foundation for more than a decade. During that time, he has helped push for innovative and high performing schools, introduced healthy food for students and worked to reform the state’s school finance system. Prior to the Donnell-Kay Foundation, he was Director of Capital Planning and Director of Development with the Colorado Outward Bound School, an experience he says shaped his approach to the world.

Tony has been executive director of the foundation for more than a decade. During that time, he has helped push for innovative and high performing schools, introduced healthy food for students and worked to reform the state’s school finance system. Prior to the Donnell-Kay Foundation, he was Director of Capital Planning and Director of Development with the Colorado Outward Bound School, an experience he says shaped his approach to the world.

Tony sits on a number of boards and advisory boards, including the Governor-appointed Charter School Institute board, the University of Colorado at Denver's School of Public Affairs, dZi Foundation, Get Smart Schools, and America Succeeds.

He also has a passion for science and the environment; Tony has served as a program specialist for the Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco, where he was in charge of policy, planning and implementation of wetland regulations in the Central Valley and northern California. He also earned his B.S. in forest management science from Colorado State University. And Tony holds a master's degree in international studies from the University of Denver.

A Colorado native, Tony lives south of Lyons, Colorado with his family, honeybees, and chickens. He’s a climber at heart and leads a couple foreign excursions a year, along with his personal ice, rock and mountain climbing trips.

Tony has been executive director of the foundation for more than a decade. During that time, he has helped push for innovative and high performing schools, introduced healthy food for students and worked to reform the state’s school finance system. Tony sits on a number of boards and advisory boards, including the Governor-appointed Charter School Institute board, the University of Colorado at Denver's School of Public Affairs, Facing History and Ourselves, dZi Foundation, Get Smart Schools and Venture Prep.

  • Tony Lewis
  • Tony Lewis
Amy Anderson, Ph.D.
Senior Director

Amy leads the Donnell-Kay Foundation’s investments to design and launch America’s next generation learning system. Prior to serving in this role, Amy led the Division of Innovation, Choice, and Engagement at the Colorado Department of Education as Associate Commissioner. Her work there resulted in the creation of a vision and strategy for innovation to personalize learning and ignite the unique potential of each student through Expanded Learning Opportunities. She also managed key offices within the department: choice & innovation, online/ blended learning, the state library, health & wellness, dropout prevention, and postsecondary workforce readiness.

Amy leads the Donnell-Kay Foundation’s investments to design and launch America’s next generation learning system.  Prior to serving in this role, Amy led the Division of Innovation, Choice, and Engagement at the Colorado Department of Education as Associate Commissioner.  Her work there resulted in the creation of a vision and strategy for innovation to personalize learning and ignite the unique potential of each student through Expanded Learning Opportunities. She also managed key offices within the department:  choice & innovation, online/ blended learning, the state library, health & wellness, dropout prevention, and postsecondary workforce readiness.
 
Prior to joining CDE, Amy had her first stint with the Donnell-Kay Foundation as the Director of Strategic Partnerships, worked as a consultant with Augenblick, Palaich, and Associates, and led new school development efforts for the Colorado League of Charter Schools. One of Amy’s proudest accomplishments is being part of the launch and growth of The Odyssey School, a Denver Charter School started in 1998 where she still has one child attending and served for many years on the board of directors. 
 
Anderson holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. from the University of Colorado and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.
 
When not at work, Amy enjoys cooking, taking long walks, sweating through a great yoga class, and spending as much time as possible with her husband, 2 children, and their guinea pig, Oreo.  
 

Amy leads the Donnell-Kay Foundation’s investments to design and launch America’s next generation learning system.  Prior to serving in this role, Amy led the Division of Innovation, Choice, and Engagement at the Colorado Department of Education as Associate Commissioner.  Her work there resulted in the creation of a vision and strategy for innovation to personalize learning and ignite the unique potential of each student through Expanded Learning Opportunities. She also managed key offices within the department:  choice & innovation, online/ blended learning, the state library, health & wellness, dropout prevention, and postsecondary workforce readiness.
Prior to joining CDE, Amy had her first stint with the Donnell-Kay Foundation as the Director of Strategic Partnerships, worked as a consultant with Augenblick, Palaich, and Associates, and led new school development efforts for the Colorado League of Charter Schools. One of Amy’s proudest accomplishments is being part of the launch and growth of The Odyssey School, a Denver Charter School started in 1998 where she still has one child attending and served for many years on the board of directors. 
Anderson holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. from the University of Colorado and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.
When not at work, Amy enjoys cooking, taking long walks, sweating through a great yoga class, and spending as much time as possible with her husband, 2 children, and their guinea pig, Oreo.  
 

Fellows

Rebecca Kisner
Fellow

Rebecca comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation from Burlington, Vermont, where she studied social work and Spanish at the University of Vermont and graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2012. A native New Englander, Rebecca grew up with her sisters on the seacoast of New Hampshire before her family moved to the beaches of Rhode Island. Throughout her time in Vermont, Rebecca was part of the DREAM program, a non-profit mentoring organization that pairs college students with local youth living in low-income housing communities. Most recently, Rebecca worked at a therapeutic alternative high school for adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disorders. Her work has focused on increasing access to education and social opportunities for at-risk youth.

Rebecca comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation from Burlington, Vermont, where she studied social work and Spanish at the University of Vermont and graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2012. A native New Englander, Rebecca grew up with her sisters on the seacoast of New Hampshire before her family moved to the beaches of Rhode Island. 

Throughout her time in Vermont, Rebecca was part of the DREAM program, a non-profit mentoring organization that pairs college students with local youth living in low-income housing communities. Most recently, Rebecca worked at a therapeutic alternative high school for adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disorders. Her work has focused on increasing access to education and social opportunities for at-risk youth. 

Rebecca is also the Community Engagement Coordinator at Rocky Mountain Prep, a blended learning charter school committed to closing the achievement gap. Through rigorous college-prep academics and an emphasis on character development, Rocky Mountain Prep is changing statistics and lives for students and their families in southeast Denver.

Rebecca loves to hike in the summer and ski in the winter, and her adventure in Colorado has just begun!

 

Rebecca comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation from Burlington, Vermont, where she studied social work and Spanish at the University of Vermont and graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2012. A native New Englander, Rebecca grew up with her sisters on the seacoast of New Hampshire before her family moved to the beaches of Rhode Island. 

 

Throughout her time in Vermont, Rebecca was part of the DREAM program, a non-profit mentoring organization that pairs college students with local youth living in low-income housing communities. Most recently, Rebecca worked at a therapeutic alternative high school for adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disorders. Her work has focused on increasing access to education and social opportunities for at-risk youth. 

Rebecca is also the Community Engagement Coordinator at Rocky Mountain Prep, a blended learning charter school committed to closing the achievement gap. Through rigorous college-prep academics and an emphasis on character development, Rocky Mountain Prep is changing statistics and lives for students and their families in southeast Denver.

Rebecca loves to hike in the summer and ski in the winter, and her adventure in Colorado has just begun!


Yilan Shen
Fellow

Yilan has worked with the counties of Colorado and state legislatures across the country. Her professional interests and volunteer efforts have focused on increasing educational opportunities. Her previous work have been on charter schools, standards, bullying and other general issues.

Yilan has worked with the counties of Colorado and state legislatures across the country. Her professional interests and volunteer efforts have focused on increasing educational opportunities. Her previous work have been on charter schools, standards, bullying and other general issues.

She was born in China and lived there until she was nine. She, then, spent the rest of her childhood in Kansas. Being educated in both countries is valuable to her perspective on education policy. She received her B.S. in psychology from the University of Kansas and her Masters in Public Administration from University of Colorado Denver.

After graduate school, she worked for Colorado Counties, Inc. She began her education policy work at the National Conference of State Legislatures, where she oversaw a charter school grant project and an online database of education related legislation in all 50 states. She also staffed the committee of state legislators who guided federal lobbying efforts on behalf of state legislatures. Her work consisted primarily of research, conference planning, and policy publications. She had the pleasure of teaching an introduction to public administration course for the School of Public Affairs at UC Denver.

Yilan lives in Denver with her two geriatric dogs, Odysseus (Ody) and Ajax, who have been with her through her entire adult life. They recently returned to the Rocky Mountains after spending a year by the Pacific Ocean on the northern California coast. They are all looking forward to the first snow of the season and stomping around the mountains in snowshoes. Yilan's other passions include eating good food, being humbled by nature, and perpetually learning.

 

Yilan has worked with the counties of Colorado and state legislatures across the country. Her professional interests and volunteer efforts have focused on increasing educational opportunities. Her previous work have been on charter schools, standards, bullying and other general issues.

She was born in China and lived there until she was nine. She, then, spent the rest of her childhood in Kansas. Being educated in both countries is valuable to her perspective on education policy. She received her B.S. in psychology from the University of Kansas and her Masters in Public Administration from University of Colorado Denver.

Advisory Board

Bryan C. Hassel

Bryan C. Hassel is co-director of Public Impact. He consults nationally with leading public agencies, nonprofit organizations and foundations working for dramatic improvements in K-12 education. He is a recognized expert on charter schools, school turnarounds, education entrepreneurship and teacher and leader policy. His work has appeared in Education Next, Education Week and numerous other publications.

Bryan C. Hassel is co-director of Public Impact. He consults nationally with leading public agencies, nonprofit organizations and foundations working for dramatic improvements in K-12 education. He is a recognized expert on charter schools, school turnarounds, education entrepreneurship and teacher and leader policy. His work has appeared in Education Next, Education Week and numerous other publications.

Bryan consults nationally with leading public agencies, nonprofit organizations and foundations working for dramatic improvements in K-12 education. He is a recognized expert on charter schools, school turnarounds, education entrepreneurship and teacher and leader policy. His work has appeared in Education Next, Education Week and numerous other publications.

Chris Sturgis

Chris Sturgis is Principal of MetisNet, a consulting firm that specializes in supporting foundations in strategy development, coaching and rapid research. MetisNet specializes in high school reform, dropout recovery, youth issues, and community engagement. She is also co-founder of the Youth Transition Funders Group and manages the Connected by 25 blog.

Chris Sturgis is Principal of MetisNet, a consulting firm that specializes in supporting foundations in strategy development, coaching and rapid research. MetisNet specializes in high school reform, dropout recovery, youth issues, and community engagement. She is also co-founder of the Youth Transition Funders Group and manages the Connected by 25 blog.

Chris’ consulting firm specializes in supporting foundations in strategy development, coaching and rapid research. MetisNet focuses on high school reform, dropout recovery, youth issues, and community engagement. She is also co-founder of the Youth Transition Funders Group and manages the Connected by 25 blog.

Michael B. Horn

Michael B. Horn is the co-founder and Executive Director of Education at Innosight Institute, a not-for-profit think tank devoted to applying the theories of disruptive innovation to problems in the social sector. He is the co-author of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns, which has been featured on best-of lists in BusinessWeek, Strategy + Business and Newsweek.

Michael B. Horn is the co-founder and Executive Director of Education at Innosight Institute, a not-for-profit think tank devoted to applying the theories of disruptive innovation to problems in the social sector. He is the co-author of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns, which has been featured on best-of lists in BusinessWeek, Strategy + Business and Newsweek. Tech & Learning magazine also named him to its list of the 100 most important people in the creation and advancement of the use of technology in education.

Innosight is a not-for-profit think tank devoted to applying the theories of disruptive innovation to problems in the social sector. Michael is the co-author of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns, which has been featured on best-of lists in BusinessWeek,Strategy + Business and Newsweek. Tech & Learning magazine also named him to its list of the 100 most important people in the creation and advancement of the use of technology in education.

Rick Hess

Rick Hess is Resident Scholar and Director of Education Policy and Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. He studies a range of K-12 and higher education issues.

Rick Hess is Resident Scholar and Director of Education Policy and Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. He studies a range of K-12 and higher education issues. He is the author of influential books on education including The Same Thing Over and Over, Education Unbound, Common Sense School Reform, Revolution at the Margins and Spinning Wheels, and pens the Education Week blog “Rick Hess Straight Up.” He serves as executive editor of Education Next, as lead faculty member for the Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program, on the Review Board for the Broad Prize in Urban Education and on the Boards of Directors of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, 4.0 SCHOOLS, and the American Board for the Certification of Teaching Excellence.

Rick studies a range of K-12 and higher education issues, and he is the author of influential books on education and pens a weekly blog in Education Week. He serves as executive editor of Education Next, as lead faculty member for the Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program, on the Review Board for the Broad Prize in Urban Education and on the Boards of Directors of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, 4.0 SCHOOLS, and the American Board for the Certification of Teaching Excellence.

Trustees

Allen Dines
Vice President
Connie Dines
Secretary
Sid Dines
President and Treasurer