Our Inspiration
Racial injustice, inequity, and the systems designed to perpetuate them have defined our nation’s history.
In the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the Supreme Court stated “…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…is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.”
We believe the spirit of this decision was a promise to decouple race from access and, more broadly, to break the predictive links between identity and outcomes overall.
However, we have yet to deliver on that promise. Nearly seven decades later, institutionalized oppression, micro-aggressions, discrimination, inequity, and violence still obstruct the path to self-determination and a life trajectory full of choices for people from involuntarily marginalized communities. Race, in particular, remains the strongest single determinant of life outcomes in the US.
This can’t continue. Promise54 was formed to enable organizations to deliver on the promise of equity.
Our Vision for Equity
Our Core Values
Champion Justice
We acknowledge the impact of systematic oppression and are committed to pursuing justice. We help to create the conditions to interrogate and shift mindsets, behaviors, and structures, while examining ourselves in the process. We act boldly in our pursuit of diverse, inclusive, equitable, and antiracist workplaces by challenging the status quo, spotting and dismantling inequities, sharing power, and elevating and centering historically silenced voices.
Be Well
Pursue Impact
Embrace Possibility
Practice Curiosity
A letter from…
Xiomara Padamsee
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Meet the Team
Our Supporters
ALISON BROCK MCGILL
Associate Partner
She/Her/Hers
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.
Contact Alison: alison@promise54.org
ALAN GONZALEZ BISNES
Operations Coordinator
He/Him/His
Alan is: a first-generation Mexican-American, the firstborn son of immigrant parents, an older brother to three younger siblings, a native Texan (yee-haw), a gay and cisgender man, a caring friend and a shoulder to lean on for anyone who needs it. He has a deep love of musical theater and horror movies, is (unofficially) the world’s greatest Dutch Blitz player, has cracked 6 unsolved murder case boxes (and counting), and is working on showing up authentically in every facet of his life. Alan has 5 years of professional experience as a theater education administrator in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. His work with Imagination Stage and Arena Stage has revolved around providing access to the arts to communities of all backgrounds and needs. Alan holds a BA in Theater/TV/Film from the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley.
Contact Alan: alan@promise54.org
ANDREW GREENIA
Senior Associate
He/Him/His
Contact Andrew: andrew.greenia@promise54.org
ANNE EIDELMAN
Board Member
She/Her/Hers
APRIL CHOU
Board Member
She/Her/Hers
CORNELIUS LEE
Partner
He/Him/His
Contact Cornelius: cornelius@promise54.org
COURTNEY BROUN
Operations Manager
She/Her/Hers
Contact Courtney: courtney@promise54.org
HEATHER HARDING
Board Member
She/Her/Hers
JAIME GRIMSLEY
Associate Partner
She/Her/Hers
Contact Jaime: jaime@promise54.org
JENN JEFFERS
Senior Associate
She/Her/Hers
Jenn is: a Southern black woman, native of Little Rock, Arkansas, the proud daughter and granddaughter of educators, loyal friend and family member, folk musician, doting dog mom, travel enthusiast, former teacher, Harry Potter fan, and a glass-half-full optimist. Jenn has a deep love for the banjo, hiking, the music of Natalia Lafourcade, and for understanding how our internal emotional landscapes drive our decision making. As a graduate of Little Rock Central High School, the legacy of 1954 has touched every area of her life. She feels most at home when actively engaged in racial justice work, is passionate about coaching and developing adults, and envisions a country where everyone has equal access and opportunity to reach their full potential. Jenn’s decade of experience in education and adult development includes roles as: Assistant Principal, Dean of Instruction, Race and Equity Facilitator, High School Spanish teacher, AP Environmental Science Teacher (KIPP New Orleans), Graduate Instructional Assistant and Facilitator (Columbia University), and Professional Development Facilitator and Coach (Louisiana Resource Center for Educators). Jenn holds a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Washington University in St. Louis and a MA in Educational Leadership from Columbia University.
Contact Jenn: jenn@promise54.org
JODI HARRIS
Associate Partner
She/Her/Hers
Jodi is: a native Californian, former New Yorker and current resident of Atlanta, GA; an avid traveler, trail walker and passionate beach lover; a devoted daughter, sister, dog mom and friend; a passionate social justice advocate; a plant collector and lover of the outdoors; and a Black, cisgender, heterosexual woman fighting to uplift the voices and ignite the power of those most often excluded. Jodi brings over 10 years’ experience in the education sector, including at Acelero Learning as a Grants Manager, Director of Systems & Strategic Initiatives, and Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. Jodi’s commitment to relationship building and human-centered work opens the door to the realignment of old paradigms and design of new approaches to advance towards a more equitable and just world where we all belong. Jodi holds a BA in Political Science from Stanford University, as well as certifications in Change Management from Prosci® and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Georgetown University.
Contact Jodi: jodi@promise54.org
JUSTIN TANDINGAN
Associate Partner
He/Him/His
Justin is: gay and Asian American and Filipinx American; an ethnic studies scholar and policy/political wonk; a son of immigrants; a Portland native and current Angeleno; fervent podcast listener; and a relationship builder and forever learner. Justin’s almost 15-year career in education began as a 4th grade teacher and then he joined Teach For America’s national staff where he held multiple roles including leading the AAPI Alliances, managing recruiters, and growing TFA’s national organizational partnerships. He has served on the board of API Equality – Los Angeles as the Education Chair and currently sits on their Sustaining Our Future Advisory Board. In his time outside of work, Justin enjoys teaching group fitness classes, gardening, cooking, and finding new places to eat. Justin holds a BA in Planning, Public Policy, and Development and a BS in Ethnic Studies from the University of Oregon and an MPP from the University of Southern California.
Contact Justin: justin@promise54.org
KRISTE DRAGON
Board Member
She/Her/Hers
Kriste Dragon is the chief executive officer of the Pahara Institute. In her prior role as Co-founder and CEO of Citizens of the World, a national network of tuition-free schools committed to serving diverse communities across the country, Kriste and her team’s work has been recognized as a model for building understanding and connection.
In addition to her experience as a middle school teacher, instructor at UCLA, and board chair for several charter schools, Kriste’s professional path has also included experience at the systems level. As Vice President of Regional Operations for Teach For America, Board Chair of EdNavigator, Board Member of the National Charter Collaborative, Board Member of Promise54, Advisory Board Member of the National Association for Charter School Authorizers, and Broad Academy Fellow, Kriste has grounded her life and work in the fundamental belief that all children deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential.
Kriste has served as a moderator for numerous fellowships and programs including Pahara-Aspen, Pahara-NextGen, Aspen Action Forum, and Aspen Young Leaders. As a result of these experiences, Kriste is more committed than ever to strengthening and sustaining diverse, high-integrity leadership in order to reimagine public education for all students in America and beyond.
Kriste holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama. She is based in the Los Angeles Area, where she lives with her three children.
LAURA SCHAAF
She/Her/Hers
Contact Laura: laura@promise54.org
LESLIE NAIR
Partner
She/Her/Hers
Contact Leslie: leslie@promise54.org
LOUIS GORTON
Operations Manager
He/His/Him
Contact Louis: louis@promise54.org
LUCERITO ORTIZ
Associate Partner
She/Her/Hers
Contact Lucerito: lucerito@promise54.org
Operations Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
Contact Marilin: marilin@promise54.org
MONISHA LOZIER
Partner
She/Her/Hers
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 obsessive connector, and a work in progress. Monisha’s 25+ years of executive search and career coaching experience include roles as: a Co-Founder & Partner of Bellwether Education Partners, 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
Partner
She/Her/Hers
Contact Rebecca: rebecca@promise54.org
SAMMI WONG
She/Her/Hers
Sammi is: a Chinese-American immigrant based in Chicago; a first-generation college graduate; a bilingual speaker; a dog mom of two; an avid learner by way of podcasts and books; a semi-professional ultimate frisbee player; and an aspiring storyteller who seeks to challenge the way our society has historically perceived the value and worth of individuals and marginalized communities. Sammi's years of experience in education include roles as a classroom teacher, a policy advisor, and most recently as the Director of Insights and Operations on Teach For America's Professional Recruitment Team. Sammi holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Southern California and a MA in Early Childhood Education from Dominican University.
Contact Sammi: sammi@promise54.org
TESS VIGIL
Associate Partner
She/Her/Hers
Tess is: a critically conscious Chicana, appreciative daughter, big sister, wife and mother; cisgendered and able-bodied, dedicated to the pursuit of equity and justice. A social critic and constant learner, Tess designs, thrifts, and sews clothes, hoping to curb environmental and human costs of the fashion industry. Tess’ 15+ year career includes teaching various K-12 grades and subjects across public, charter and independent schools, coaching teachers and leaders, and establishing and growing a Culturally Responsive Education team for Denver’s 90,000+ student district. Tess holds a BA from Columbia University and an M.Ed. from Loyola Marymount University.
Contact Tess: tess@promise54.org
UNSUK ZUCKER
Partner
She/Her/Hers
Contact UnSuk: unsuk@promise54.org
She/Her/Hers
Yoseline is: a daughter of immigrants from Mexico, dedicated wife and mother, a deep thinker and feeler and a Chicana feminist who loves to cook and bake. With 4-plus years of talent acquisition experience at Noble Schools, Yoseline is skilled in data analytics, diversity recruitment and developing antiracist hiring systems. Yoseline holds a BA in Sociology and Latinx Studies from Northwestern University.
Contact Yoseline: yoseline@promise54.org
XIOMARA PADAMSEE
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
She/Her/Hers
Contact Xiomara: xiomara@promise54.org