OUR MISSION
We help adults to thrive so that they can do their best work for students.
Race and educational inequity have been intertwined throughout our nation’s history. On May 17, 1954, in the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the Supreme Court observed “…it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.” However, institutionalized oppression, micro-aggressions, discrimination, inequity, and violence still obstruct the path to self-determination and a life trajectory full of choices for young people from historically marginalized identities. Promise54 was formed by Xiomara Padamsee, Monisha Lozier, and team members from within Bellwether Education Partners’ former Talent Advising practice to enable organizations to deliver on this commitment.
Xiomara Padamsee
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Alison Brock McGill
Consultant
Andrew Greenia
Consultant
Atalie Jacobs
Associate Partner
Cornelius Lee
Associate Partner
Courtney Broun
Operations Manager / Consultant
Danielle Ceribo
Operations Coordinator
Dawn Albert
Consultant
Latricia Barksdale
Chief Operating Officer
Leslie Nair
Partner
Lora Cover
Partner
Louis Gorton
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Lucerito Ortiz
Consultant
Monisha Lozier
Partner
Rebecca Knicely Cagle
Associate Partner
UnSuk Zucker
Associate Partner
Vanessa Douyon
Associate Partner
Xiomara Padamsee
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Alison Brock McGill
Consultant
Andrew Greenia
Consultant
Atalie Jacobs
Associate Partner
Cornelius Lee
Associate Partner
Courtney Broun
Operations Manager / Consultant
Danielle Ceribo
Operations Coordinator
Dawn Albert
Consultant
Latricia Barksdale
Chief Operating Officer
Leslie Nair
Partner
Lora Cover
Partner
Louis Gorton
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Lucerito Ortiz
Consultant
Monisha Lozier
Partner
Rebecca Knicely Cagle
Associate Partner
UnSuk Zucker
Associate Partner
Vanessa Douyon
Associate Partner
Xiomara Padamsee
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Xiomara is: a proud Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Indian cisgender gay woman; a family-first mother and wife, daughter and sister; an enthusiastic pinata maker, former pianist, and a dedicated educator and activist. Xiomara’s 20 years of education and organizational effectiveness experience include roles as Leader of the talent advising practice and management team member at Bellwether Education Partners, Manager in Deloitte Consulting’s human capital practice, and as Vice President of Staffing & Organizational Development on Teach For America’s management team, where she built the organization’s first national talent team. Xiomara holds a BS from Cornell University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Contact Xiomara: xiomara@promise54.org
Alison Brock McGill
Consultant
Alison is: a proud native of Durham, North Carolina; a loving wife, a helpful daughter and a slightly imperious sister; a social justice champion; a marathon runner; a Black, cisgender, able-bodied, intersectional feminist who cares deeply about poverty alleviation and economic empowerment in historically oppressed communities. In her spare time, Alison enjoys international travel (especially to Francophone countries), full-bodied red wines, and supporting Black-owned businesses. Alison's 10-plus years of social impact experience include roles as the Director, Social Impact Strategy at IPG Mediabrands; Founder of The Brock Method--a boutique nonprofit and social enterprise consultancy benefiting communities of color; Corporate Social Responsibility Fellow at Turner Broadcasting, Inc.; Social Innovation Fellow at StartingBloc; and, Board President at Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls. Alison holds a BA in Journalism from Howard University and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Andrew Greenia
Consultant
Andrew is: a white cisgender Polish American man from in and around Detroit; the youngest of three wonderfully unique brothers; an altruistic barber, a devoted hip-hop head, an intersectional, anti-racist pacifist, and a wounded healer. Andrew’s 8-plus years of professional experience include organizing a community-driven coalition advocating for education justice in Michigan and serving in roles such as Instructor with the Words of Engagement Intergroup Dialogue Program at University of Maryland and Program Manager at Education Pioneers, where he developed and facilitated workshops on the opportunity gap and change management. Andrew holds a BA from Loyola University Chicago and an MEd from Harvard University.
Contact Andrew: andrew.greenia@promise54.org
Atalie Jacobs
Associate Partner
Atalie is: a doting mother and appreciative wife, who loves exploring great restaurants and small batch coffee roasters in new cities. Atalie credits her commitment to educational equity and racial justice to her roots growing up in Chicago, where she observed the staggering disparities between the resources and facilities of predominantly white versus predominantly black schools across the city. Atalie’s 10-plus years of professional services experience include roles as: a Project Manager in Bellwether Education Partners’ talent advising practice, a Senior Associate at McKinsey & Company, a Founder of an event design and non-profit consultancy, and an Account Executive at McCann Erickson New York, one of the world's largest advertising agencies. Atalie holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a BA in journalism from Howard University in Washington D.C.
Contact Atalie: atalie@promise54.org
Cornelius Lee
Associate Partner
Cornelius is: an advocate for those who reside on the margins of society without their consent; a proud black man who identifies as gay; a partner to a wonderful man who has taught him masterclasses in empathy and kindness; a conscientious objector; a work in progress; and a leader and learner of concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Cornelius’ decade long career in education includes roles as a classroom teacher, founding school team member, school leader, Adjunct Professor at Dominican University’s Graduate School of Education, and as the Associate Director of Leadership Development at Education Pioneers, where he led the organization’s national programming and operations team. Cornelius holds a BA in Journalism from Western Kentucky University, a MAT from Dominican University, and a M.Ed. from Harvard.
Contact Cornelius: cornelius@promise54.org
Courtney Broun
Operations Manager / Consultant
Courtney is: an Atlanta native who taught 4th grade for three years in the great city of New Orleans, a Christian, a proud wife and first-time mom to a baby girl, and a former high school athlete who likes to stay active, be outside and play tennis on the weekends. Courtney’s 8 years of education and recruiting experience include roles as: Manager of Talent Program and Operations at Bellwether Education Partners and Director of Learning and Development, Manager of Professional Recruitment, Recruitment Associate and corps member at Teach For America. Courtney received a BS in Business Administration in Marketing from Southern Methodist University.
Contact Courtney: courtney@promise54.org
Danielle Ceribo
Operations Coordinator
Danielle is: a queer, nonbinary mixed-race Filipinx Pacific Islander who considers Guam and California as two of their homes; a social justice advocate and activist that believes intersectionality is essential to understanding and embracing difference; someone who thinks about/dreams about/talks about/cooks/eats food (you could call them a foodie, but they aren't much for labels); an aspiring drummer who started a band with their friends in their 30s; an Enneagram 2 – the Helper; and an outgoing introvert. Danielle’s 10-plus years of administrative experience include roles as: Executive and Operations Assistant at Bellwether Education Partners, Executive Assistant for Cambridge Research Group, Graduate Financial Aid Assistant at Boston University, and Banquets Office Assistant at La Costa Resort and Spa. Danielle holds a BS in Foods and Nutrition from San Diego State University and a MLA in Gastronomy from Boston University.
Contact Danielle: danielle@promise54.org
Dawn Albert
Consultant
Dawn is: a white, cisgender gay woman, frugal feminist, dabbler in adventure sports, and llama whisperer from a small town in Oregon. Dawn's ten years' experience in education and mental health include teaching high school science in New Orleans East with Teach for America, co-founding a nationally-competing high school debate team, providing classroom and community-based mental heath services with foster youth in the Bay Area, and leading organization-wide talent and technical projects at Aspire Public Schools. Dawn is passionate about learning to practice anti-racism, and has served as a National Equity Project Fellow, community conflict mediator, and founded Aspire's first White Allyship and LGTBQ Affinity groups. Dawn holds a BS from Willamette University.
Contact Dawn: dawn@promise54.org
Latricia Barksdale
Chief Operating Officer
Latricia is: a DC-area native living in her second hometown of Atlanta, GA. She is a proud daughter, bossy big sister, and doting aunt. Latricia watches more reality TV than she’d care to admit and loves coffee, wine, (most) sports, and movies based on comics. She believes every child has the right to an education that helps them reach their full potential and is committed to working to close the opportunity gap for students from historically marginalized communities. Latricia has previous experience working in the non-profit, education and financial services sector, including roles as the Chief of Staff to the CEO, Senior Vice President of Strategy, and Vice President of Growth Strategy & Development on Teach For America’s national team; the Director of Staffing for Memphis City Schools; and an Analyst in Morgan Stanley’s Public Finance division. She holds a BA in Public Policy Studies and Economics from Duke University.
Contact Latricia: latricia@promise54.org
Leslie Nair
Partner
Leslie is: a midwest native, veteran wife and mother, grammar boss, and French speaking Bikram yogi, who counts among her claims to fame having cooked dinner for Muhammad Ali! Leslie’s 25-plus years of executive search and advisory experience include roles as: Principal in Bellwether Education Partners’ search practice, Founder of her own search practice, and VP in several other boutique search firms. She has led the execution of senior level searches for clients that create and coordinate ecosystems and foster the growth of high-quality public schools, as well as for for-profit organizations in the finance, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors. Leslie received a BA in French from Bradley University.
Contact Leslie: leslie@promise54.org
Lora Cover
Partner
Lora is: an ever-evolving mom and partner living in Cleveland, Ohio, who still connects to her New York roots and believes in speaking up for justice, equity for kids, and laughter, chocolate and wine for when all else fails. Lora’s 20-plus years of talent and education experience include roles as Principal in Bellwether Education Partners’ talent advising practice, Chief Talent Officer for Cleveland Metropolitan School District where she built a strategic talent team, Senior Vice President for Teach For America, where she lead the human assets team, Managing Director on Teach For America’s national recruitment team, Associate Director for the Public Service Center for Cornell University and fourth grade teacher. Lora holds a BS in Labor Relations from Cornell University and a MPA from The Maxwell School of Citizenship.
Contact Lora: lora@promise54.org
Louis Gorton
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Louis is: a white queer transman from rural Central New York, a proud older brother to two amazing siblings, a doting partner and friend, an enthusiastic traveler, a follower of more animals than humans on Instagram, and a passionate seeker of knowledge and solutions. Having recently moved from NYC to LA, Louis spends much of his free time exploring the food, music, art, and sights of the Los Angeles area. Louis has over ten years of experience in education; for many years he worked on staff at Teach For America as the Director of Institute Operations and Manager of Institute Support where he led operations projects for the institute teams and had the chance to work alongside many talented educators and leaders. Louis received a BA in Political Science from SUNY Purchase.
Contact Louis: louis@promise54.org
Lucerito Ortiz
Consultant
Lucerito is: the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Guatemala and Mexico, a sister, friend, native Angeleno, data nerd, foodie, Lime Hot Cheeto connoisseur, escape room lover, and very easily distracted by dogs. Lucerito's 8-plus years of experience include roles as: Senior Manager of Data and Impact and Escalera Manager at UnidosUS, Education Pioneers Fellow at The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, and Senior Admissions Officer at Harvard College. Lucerito holds a BA in Social Studies with a focus on race and education from Harvard College, and an M.Ed. in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Contact Lucerito: lucerito@promise54.org
Monisha Lozier
Partner
Monisha is: a proud midwesterner, the wife of a submariner-turned-data geek/amateur bluegrass musician, a flawed-but-awed mother, a lucky daughter, a passionate coach, a fired-up feminist, an enthusiastic gardener, an obsessive connector, and a work in progress. Monisha’s 23-plus years of executive search and career coaching experience include roles as: a Co-Founder & Partner of Bellwether Education Partners, Founder of Cobbe Place Consulting (her own search firm), Managing Consultant in the education practice of AT Kearney Executive Search, and as a Client Partner in Korn/Ferry International’s education practice. Monisha holds a BA from Connecticut College and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Contact Monisha: monisha@promise54.org
Rebecca Knicely Cagle
Associate Partner
Rebecca is: a grateful wife, mother, big sister, daughter, and friend, an enthusiastic host, a retired swimmer, an avid fan of tailgates and antiquing, and a believer in the innate dignity of all humans. She is an Atlantan by way of Virginia and her commitment to social and racial justice is shaped by a sense of place. Rebecca’s 12-plus years of experience in talent and education include roles as an Associate Partner on Bellwether Education Partners’ talent advising team, a Vice President on Teach For America’s national recruitment team, where she led several cross-functional initiatives and a team charged with recruiting corps members in the southeastern U.S., and as a middle school teacher in rural North Carolina. Rebecca holds a BA in American Studies from Yale University.
Contact Rebecca: rebecca@promise54.org
UnSuk Zucker
Associate Partner
UnSuk is: a Korean American, cisgender, grateful wife and mother, daughter, and sister who loves to cook and spend time with her friends and family; a dedicated social justice advocate; and racial equity leader. UnSuk’s almost 20 years in the field of education includes roles as teaching grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Idaho, Southern California and Colorado, Beyond Diversity Affiliate with Pacific Educational Group, teacher leader, Teacher Leadership Coordinator and School Improvement Partner for Denver Public Schools, Senior Manager and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at TNTP, and National SEED Project Staff Member. UnSuk holds a BS from College of Idaho and an MS from Walden University.
Contact UnSuk: unsuk@promise54.org
Vanessa Douyon
Associate Partner
Vanessa is: a proud Haitian-American, a wife, a sister, and a dedicated party hostess who spends her weekends recipe testing and cookbook reading. Vanessa is a passionate educator who brings practical expertise having served on the senior leadership team for two high-performing, mid-sized CMOs, Blackstone Valley Prep and New Orleans College Prep. Her 10+ years in the education sector include roles in talent at Teach For America and in strategic advising at Bellwether Education Partners. Vanessa began her career as a 5th grade math teacher with Teach For America in Central City, New Orleans. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and a BA in sociology from the University of Florida.
Contact Vanessa: vanessa@promise54.org
