“Trusteeship requires the ability to see the organization whole, to understand its relationship to its environment, and to act on behalf of the institution’s long-term best interests.” — Richard P. Chait, William P. Ryan, and Barbara E. Taylor
Strong governance is the quiet backbone of every mission-driven organization. Research reminds us that effective boards do more than oversee finances or monitor compliance; they serve as stewards of mission and vision. Chait, Ryan, and Taylor’s work on governance as leadership suggests that the most impactful boards operate in three modes simultaneously: fiduciary (ensuring accountability), strategic (shaping priorities), and generative (asking the big questions and framing meaning to clarify purpose). When boards collectively embrace these roles, they help organizations not only stay solvent but also remain true to their values.
At Partners for Educational Leadership, our Board of Directors exemplifies this commitment. They give generously of their time, expertise, and wisdom so that we may advance our mission of building school and district leadership for equitable, excellent public education. Their governance is not abstract—it is lived through their insight, their probing questions, and their unwavering commitment to children and the communities they serve.
Welcoming New Members
This summer, we welcomed four extraordinary leaders to our Board of Directors. Each brings distinctive experiences and perspectives that will strengthen our collective work:
Mónica Byrne-Jiménez is the Executive Director of the University Council for Educational Administration and a nationally recognized scholar of leadership preparation, Latinx identity, and equity-centered school improvement. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is prepared to meet the challenges of our schools.
Jennifer Husbands brings over 25 years of leadership experience in education reform and improvement. As founder of Steward Education Advisors, and with past roles at the Gates Foundation, Schools That Can Chicago, and High Tech High, she has consistently centered adult learning as a lever for student success. She joins our board with both a national perspective and a local commitment to educational equity.
Richard Sugarman has devoted his career to nonprofit and civic leadership, including as a founding board member of the then CT Center for School Change. As Founding President of Hartford Promise and The Connecticut Forum, he has championed access to education, civic dialogue, and community engagement. His lifetime of leadership and service has been recognized with numerous honors and will continue to inspire our mission.
Leslie Torres-Rodríguez is no stranger to Partners, having served on the staff of the then Connecticut Center for School Change and provided leadership for the LEADCT Turnaround Principal Program. As Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools, she led bold district transformation efforts grounded in equity and student voice. Her lived experience as a multilingual learner and her deep commitment to her community give her leadership uncommon depth.
Building on a Strong Foundation
These four leaders join a dedicated group of board members whose guidance has been instrumental in Partners’ growth and impact. Together, this full board deepens our capacity to imagine, question, and act with courage and clarity on behalf of public school students. We are honored to welcome Mónica, Jennifer, Richard, and Leslie into this circle of governance, grateful for the gifts they bring, and excited for the future we will shape together.
Our 2025–2026 Board of Directors (Read more for full bios of our new and existing members )
- Steven Hernández, Board Chair – Executive Director, ConnCAN
- Paul Diego Holzer, Secretary – Founder and Principal, Bold Endeavor Consulting; Engagement Lead, BP CTE Healthcare High Schools Initiative
- Rob Blakey, Treasurer – Controller, CONNSTEP
- Mónica Byrne-Jiménez – Executive Director, University Council for Educational Administration; Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Michigan State University
- David Daye – Director of Magnet School System Operations, Goodwin University Magnet School System
- Jennifer Gifford – Senior Vice President, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
- Jennifer Husbands – Founder, Steward Education Advisors
- Dwayne Smith – Executive Director of Systemwide Advancement, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
- Richard Sugarman – Founder, Connecticut Forum; Former President, Hartford Promise
- Leslie Torres-Rodríguez – Former Superintendent, Hartford Public Schools
In Partnership,
Richard Lemons
Executive Director
Partners for Educational Leadership
rlemons@partnersforel.org
Twitter: Richard_Lemons
