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 and a M.Ed. from Harvard.

Contact Cornelius: cornelius@promise54.org

Kimberly Osagie

Partner

Kimberly is: a Nigerian woman -- replete with Louisiana charm and an NYC-inspired sense of bravado. Warm temperatures, spicy cuisine, quality over quantity, and a sense of style are just a few of her everyday loves. For an easy in, start a conversation with Kimberly about the songs you hum in the shower, the live theater that most impacted you, or the guiltiest television pleasure you can't live without. Kimberly brings all of these quirks to her work in education, striving to build equitable learning environments for children and the adults that model for them. Kimberly brings multifaceted expertise from leadership roles in traditional and charter public schools, higher education, nonprofits, philanthropy and corporate organizations, including roles as Vice President for Educator Success at Curriculum Associates; K-12 Education Program Officer at Walton Family Foundation; Lead K-12 Equity Consultant at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School's Public Education Leadership Project; and Associate Dean, Assistant Professor of Practice, and Director of Teaching & Learning for Diversity & Child Development at Relay Graduate School of Education. Kimberly holds a dual, Distinguished Majors BA in Political and Social Thought and English from the University of Virginia, a M.S. in Teaching adolescent English from Pace University, and a doctorate in Education Leadership from Harvard.

Contact Kimberly: kimberly@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

Monisha Lozier

Co-Founder & 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

Tania Clerisme

Tania is: a soul connector, laugh-at-her-own-jokester, lifelong New Yorker, and first-generation American mobilized by revolutionary Haitian blood in her veins. Tania’s decade of experience includes roles as an Associate Partner in Bellwether Education Partners’ talent advising practice, Manager in Deloitte Consulting’s human capital practice, and a social worker in various healthcare settings in low-income communities. Tania holds a BA in Psychology from Harvard University and a dual MBA / MSW from Columbia University.

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

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