SUPERINTENDENT
Brent Daniels, Ed.D. was appointed Superintendent of Leadership Public Schools in August of 2022. Dr. Daniels is not new to the LPS community, having served as Chief Talent Officer where he formed collaborative relationships with staff and the communities LPS serves. His distinguished 30 years of experience in education includes: currently serving as Interim Superintendent for LPS, Director of Human Resources for Berkeley Unified School District, Principal for Piedmont High School, with Piedmont Unified School District; and Assistant Principal at Burlingame High School for San Mateo Union High School District. Dr. Daniels’ extensive education includes a Doctorate of Education, a Masters in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from University of California Berkeley. Dr. Daniels received his Administrative Services credential from University of California Berkeley and his California Single-Subject teaching credential from California State University East Bay.
CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER
Chanthip Phongkhamsavath was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and shortly after resettled in the Bay Area with her mom and sister. Raised in Berkeley, she attended Berkeley schools from pre-k all the way through college. While at U.C. Berkeley Chanthip studied Sociology and Education and was extensively involved in student organizing aimed to support disadvantaged and students of color on campus. After completing her masters in Public Affairs and Urban and Regional Planning at Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs, Chanthip moved to Washington D.C. to work for several Federal Departments focusing on budget, national security, and international relations. Eight years later Chanthip moved back to the Bay Area to refocus on education and local issues working at the Oakland Unified School District and County of Marin for the past six years. With over fourteen years in government service, Chanthip is excited to support education in a different format. Outside of the office, Chanthip can be found spending time with family and friends usually enjoying good food or talking about the next meal. Chanthip also enjoys baking, reading, and attempting to cultivate a green thumb.
DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Lina Andersen was promoted to Director of People and Culture in 2022. Prior to this role, she was the Coordinator of HR and Teacher Pathways for the Network. Lina has more than 14 years of educational experience in the Bay Area, with all of her teaching and administrative experience at charter schools. Prior to LPS, she served as the Local Control Accountability Plan Evaluator for Berkeley Unified School District’s Research, Evaluation, and Assessment department. Through data-driven program evaluation, Lina led research behind the recruitment and retention of highly-skilled and equity-focused teachers and their positive impact on student outcomes.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Society from the University of California, Santa Barbara as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Urban Education from the University of Southern California.
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY
Ellen holds a degree in Electronics Engineering, a B.S. from Golden Gate University, and a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from the University of Phoenix.
Ellen has been with Leadership Public Schools as the Director of Technology since May 2009. She brings with her a depth of experience working as a Technology Director for Global Software Companies and BioTech Companies. Wanting to apply her experience to a Non-Profit organization she chose Leadership Public Schools to help build and support their robust enterprise networking infrastructure and to support the students and staff in implementing the latest of technologies.
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND WELLNESS
Ms. Kreitz has been a teacher of students with special needs for over twenty years working with students ranging in ages from preschool to transition, eventually settling at the secondary level. She is a Bay Area native having grown up in Alameda, who started her career in Alameda Unified School District as an Instructional Assistant then moved on to Dublin Unified School District, where she taught students with special needs for over twenty years along with serving students across the district as a teacher leader on multiple committees and workgroups.
Ms. Kreitz earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Service at the University of San Francisco, then furthered her studies earning her Level 1 and Level 2 Mild/Moderate Educational Specialist credentials at San Francisco State University and the CLAD Credential through University of San Diego. She returned to the University of San Francisco’s School of Education to earn her Masters in Organization and Leadership and Administrative Credential focusing on public service leadership.
Ms. Kreitz is committed to seeing all students have access to a well-rounded high school experience that celebrates and focuses on post-secondary options for all students. Having called the Bay Area, specifically the East Bay, home for her lifetime, she feels that this is coming home. She shared that “… a school community that includes a focus on social justice excited me with the opportunity of combining my career in public education with my commitment to community and public service. I look forward to furthering this work as the new school year begins.”
Director of Student Services, Facilities & Title IX Officer
Christopher Harrell comes to us with 15+ years of experience in secondary and higher education settings as a designer and leader of student support services. He brings deep knowledge of equitable discipline systems, positive behavior intervention and support, restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and school-based counseling. As Director of Student Services, Mr. Harrell will support all aspects of discipline, behavior management, and attendance review and support. He will lead next steps in integrating systems and practices across the domains of discipline, tiered support, and mental health in the service of student belonging, well-being, and success.
Senior HR Analyst & Superintendent/CEO Coordinator
Coming Soon!
Staff Accountant
Prior to LPS, Kalyani worked for the Monroe County School Corporation in Bloomington,
IN for 11 years, initially as a special education teacher aide, and later moved into accounts
payable. Kalyani attended school in India and has an undergraduate and master’s
degree in accounting. Before moving to the United States in 1998, she worked in the
accounting department of a manufacturing company in India. She relocated with her
husband from Bloomington to the Bay Area in 2022.
Kalyani is excited about her
position at LPS as an Accounts Payable Technician. She enjoys exploring the area and is happy to now live closer to her daughter, son-in-law, and their Goldendoodle, and spoil her new granddaughter, born in December 2022. In her free time, Kalyani enjoys cooking, gardening, yoga, walking, and spending time with her family.
Coordinator of Business Operations & Finance
Kayla Perez officially began her role at LPS as the Coordinator of Business Operations in February of 2023. After obtaining her B.S. in Applied Mathematics from UC Riverside in 2020, Kayla has taken her interpersonal skills and love of math into the finance sector. In a short period, Kayla has gained her accounting experience by providing financial services for companies ranging from software, biotech, and various consulting firms. She’s also helped manage the fiscal operations for an organization where they provide undergraduates and alumni internship opportunities with healthcare industries throughout the United States.
Kayla chose to work at Leadership Public Schools because she believes in preparing our students to become leaders in their community. She is eager to be exposed to the characteristics of school accounting and the education system as she hopes with this additional knowledge will be of help to provide exemplary support to our LPS community.
Coordinator of Business Operations & Finance
Kayla Perez officially began her role at LPS as the Coordinator of Business Operations in February of 2023. After obtaining her B.S. in Applied Mathematics from UC Riverside in 2020, Kayla has taken her interpersonal skills and love of math into the finance sector. In a short period, Kayla has gained her accounting experience by providing financial services for companies ranging from software, biotech, and various consulting firms. She’s also helped manage the fiscal operations for an organization where they provide undergraduates and alumni internship opportunities with healthcare industries throughout the United States.
Kayla chose to work at Leadership Public Schools because she believes in preparing our students to become leaders in their community. She is eager to be exposed to the characteristics of school accounting and the education system as she hopes with this additional knowledge will be of help to provide exemplary support to our LPS community.
Manager of Data & Assessment
Coming Soon!
Administrator on Special Assignment
Rosa Chavarria brings a wealth of experience and dedication to educational excellence. With a career spanning over 24 years, Mrs. Chavarria has made a significant impact in the West Contra Costa Unified School District, including teaching at the schools she attended as a child. She played a key role as a founding teacher at Making Waves Academy and contributed her expertise in Berkeley Unified School District. Mrs. Chavarria’s educational background includes two Bachelor’s degrees in Liberal Arts Studies and Spanish, a Masters in Education, and a BCLAD certification. She actively engages with educational partners and families to foster strong relationships and collaborative partnerships in support of student success. Mrs. Chavarria is dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential. She is actively pursuing professional development opportunities to enhance her leadership skills and expand her knowledge in educational administration. Mrs. Chavarria’s leadership is rooted in a commitment to equity, inclusivity, and the meaningful involvement of families in the academic and life journey of students.
Rosa Chavarria chose to work at LPS due to a variety of reasons. She embraces challenges and finds fulfillment in overcoming them, viewing them as opportunities for personal and professional growth. At the heart of her dedication is a deep commitment to students, recognizing them as the driving force behind her work. Mrs. Chavarria is passionate about providing students with opportunities for growth and helping them navigate a path toward financial stability.
Network Office Assistant
Taliyah Kelly is a network office assistant supporting the LPS home office part time while actively being a full-time college student. Education has been the foundation of Taliyah’s primary years which sculpted her to have the characteristics that she has today such as excellent time management, efficiency and her ability to thoroughly complete assignments to the liking of all. Her mastery in interpersonal communication has propelled her greatly in establishing relationships and collaborative work. She has shown to be adaptable & dependable. Which not only reflects her work ethnic but her choosing to pursue a degree in Sociology.
Taliyah chose to work for LPS because she has a vision for others, especially her counterparts. As she believes she can make a positive impact here, which her vast variety of skills attest.
Join the LPS team and help empower the next generation of leaders to succeed in college, career, and life.
Leadership Public Schools
99 Linden Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510 830 3780
info@leadps.org
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