Staff

Raymond C. Pierce President and CEO President and CEO

Raymond C. Pierce serves as the President and CEO of the Southern Education Foundation, where he leads the organization’s historic…

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Kenita T. Williams Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Kenita T. Williams joined the Southern Education Foundation in 2017 and serves as the chief operating officer. Kenita is…

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Leighton O’Sullivan Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer

Leighton O’Sullivan, CPA, joined the Southern Education Foundation as chief financial officer in April 2020. He has more than 25…

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Fred A. Jones, Jr. Senior Director of Public Policy & Advocacy Senior Director of Public Policy & Advocacy

Fred A. Jones Jr. serves as the senior director of public policy and advocacy for the Southern Education Foundation. His…

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Eshé P. Collins Director, Equity Assistance Center-South Director, Equity Assistance Center-South

Eshé P. Collins is director of the Equity Assistance Center-South (EAC-South) at the Southern Education Foundation. She oversees the center’s…

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Amber C. Davis Director of Leadership Development Director of Leadership Development

Dr. Amber C. Davis serves as the director of leadership development at the Southern Education Foundation. She oversees SEF’s fellowships that provide…

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Sara Haj-Hussein Director of Business Development and Donor Relations Director of Business Development and Donor Relations

Sara Haj-Hussein joined SEF in early 2024. She directs SEF’s fundraising campaigns and outreach to current and prospective donors. She…

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Brittany Miller Director, Outcomes Based Contracting Director, Outcomes Based Contracting

Brittany Miller serves as the director for Southern Education Foundation’s strategic initiative on Outcomes Based Contracting. In this role, she…

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Alan Richard Director of Communications Director of Communications

Alan Richard is the director of communications for the Southern Education Foundation. A veteran education writer, he contributes to SEF’s…

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Danielle Smith Communications Manager Communications Manager

Danielle Smith joined the Southern Education Foundation in February 2024 as a Communications Manager on the Communications team. A seasoned…

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Allison Boyle Research and Policy Specialist Research and Policy Specialist

Allison Boyle is research and policy specialist at the Southern Education Foundation, joining SEF full time after serving as early…

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Darian Burns Legislative and Public Policy Analyst Legislative and Public Policy Analyst

Darian Burns joined the Southern Education Foundation in August 2022 as a legislative and public policy analyst on the government…

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Harry Chiu Lynn Walker Huntley Social Justice Fellow Lynn Walker Huntley Social Justice Fellow

Harry Chiu is the inaugural Lynn Walker Huntley Social Justice Fellow at the Southern Education Foundation and the Southern Poverty…

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Hannah Curry Program Manager, Outcomes Based Contracting Program Manager, Outcomes Based Contracting

Hannah Curry is the program manager for the Outcomes Based Contracting strategic initiative, overseeing its strategy, execution and implementation. Hannah…

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Sherrell Glenn Program Coordinator, Outcomes Based Contracting Program Coordinator, Outcomes Based Contracting

Sherrell Glenn is the program coordinator supporting the Outcomes Based Contracting initiative through district relationship management, data collection, resource development,…

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Sarah Glover Program Lead, Outcomes Based Contracting Program Lead, Outcomes Based Contracting

Sarah Glover is the program lead for Outcomes Based Contracting. In her role, she uses her expertise to coach cohort…

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Asley Gulaid Senior Leadership Development Program Associate Senior Leadership Development Program Associate

Asley Gulaid is the senior leadership development program associate at the Southern Education Foundation, supporting SEF’s comprehensive and proactive leadership-development…

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Chandra Halstead Executive Assistant/Office Manager Executive Assistant/Office Manager

Chandra Halstead is the executive assistant/office manager for the president. Chandra currently provides executive and logistical support to the president…

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Danielle Harris Program Manager, Equity Assistance Center-South Program Manager, Equity Assistance Center-South

Danielle Harris is the program manager for the Equity Assistance Center-South at the Southern Education Foundation, overseeing the Center’s day-to-day…

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Daphine Jackson Accounting Manager Accounting Manager

Daphine Jackson serves as accounting manager at Southern Education Foundation, supporting the CFO with day-to-day financial operations for the agency.…

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Lauren Mead Operations Program Associate Operations Program Associate

Lauren Mead is the operations program associate for the Southern Education Foundation, supporting a range of important functions and assisting…

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Nacarid Silva Program Manager, Outcomes Based Contracting Program Manager, Outcomes Based Contracting

Nacarid Silva is the program manager for the Outcomes Based Contracting initiative at the Southern Education Foundation. Alongside her current…

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Jasmine Walker Senior Manager, OBC Engagement Senior Manager, OBC Engagement

Jasmine Walker serves as the senior manager of OBC engagement. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing and executing…

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Max Altman Director of Research and Policy Director of Research and Policy

As SEF’s director of research and policy, Max Altman, Ph.D., designs and manages SEF’s research agenda and development of research-informed…

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Max Altman Director of Research and Policy Director of Research and Policy

As SEF’s director of research and policy, Max Altman, Ph.D., designs and manages SEF’s research agenda and development of research-informed…

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