Alex has been an active participant in Denver’s education community for over a decade.
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Employees
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 the West Denver Preparatory Charter School network; 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.
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. He lives in Denver with his wife, three children, and a big furry dog.
Alex's work for DK:
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 the West Denver Preparatory Charter School network; 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.
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. 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 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, husband and 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.
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.
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 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 West Denver Prep and she sits on the Educational Success Task Force.
Kristina Tabor
Director of Communications
Kristina comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation with a background in journalism. She has worked for Colorado Public Radio and Aspen Public Radio, where she reported on education issues such as school finance, standardized testing, and enrollment, as well as a wide range of other topics. Kristina has won two Colorado Broadcast Association Awards, one Public Radio News Director Award, and a fellowship in database reporting with the Education Writers Association. Her career started at PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.
Kristina comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation with a background in journalism. She has worked for Colorado Public Radio and Aspen Public Radio, where she reported on education issues such as school finance, standardized testing, and enrollment, as well as a wide range of other topics. Kristina has won two Colorado Broadcast Association Awards, one Public Radio News Director Award, and a fellowship in database reporting with the Education Writers Association. Her career started at PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.
Kristina sits on the board of Colorado Youth for a Change, working towards solving Colorado’s dropout crisis. Her passions outside education include her partner Mike, her two dogs Lila and Mushu, the Broncos, and crafting - particularly sewing.
Originally from the Washington, DC area, Kristina has lived in Colorado for nearly a decade. She earned her BA from Colby College in Waterville, Maine.
Kristina comes to the Donnell-Kay Foundation with a background in journalism. She has worked for Colorado Public Radio and Aspen Public Radio, where she reported on education issues such as school finance, standardized testing, and enrollment, as well as a wide range of other topics. Kristina sits on the board of Colorado Youth for a Change, working towards solving Colorado’s dropout crisis.
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.
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, Facing History and Ourselves, dZi Foundation, Get Smart Schools and Venture Prep.
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.
Fellows
Shelby Edwards
Shelby Edwards is DK’s fellow for 2011 - 2012. Her policy interests and work focus on students off-track to graduation, high school dropouts, and school finance. Shelby is currently pursuing a master of public administration degree from the University of Colorado Denver. She earned her BA in sociology from Bowling Green State University in northwest Ohio.
Shelby Edwards is DK’s fellow for 2011 - 2012. Her policy interests and work focus on students off-track to graduation, high school dropouts, and school finance. Shelby is currently pursuing a master of public administration degree from the University of Colorado Denver. She earned her BA in sociology from Bowling Green State University in northwest Ohio.
She volunteers weekly at Odyssey Charter School and Venture Prep Charter School with their reading buddy programs. Shelby is also an active supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society.
Shelby, a recent Colorado transplant, lives in Denver with her husband. She enjoys spending her free time outside exploring Colorado or running along park paths.
Shelby Edwards is DK’s fellow for 2011-2012. Her policy interests and work focus on students off-track to graduation, high school dropouts, and school finance. Shelby is currently pursuing a master of public administration degree from the University of Colorado Denver. She earned her BA in sociology from Bowling Green State University in northwest Ohio. She volunteers weekly at Odyssey Charter School and Venture Prep Charter School with their reading buddy programs.
Advisory Board
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 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 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 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
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DK’s newest report offers an analysis of 36 charter, innovation, and redesign schools that have opened in DPS over the last 5 years. We assert that DPS needs to set standards and expectations for its new schools up front – before opening – to provide clear criteria for whether a new school is performing well or not.
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