Staff
chief financial officer
Chuck Adkins
Chuck Adkins oversees all aspects of the organization’s finances, human resources and strategic fiscal planning, including financial reporting to the Fund’s board, the public, and key stakeholders. Chuck brings almost 15 years of experience in nonprofit financial and organizational management. Before joining the Fund, Chuck served as the CFO to several nonprofits focused on education, social services, environmental standards and established nonprofit best practices. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland where he has taught graduate courses in nonprofit management. Chuck has a passion for human rights and enjoys random thoughts, cooking (and eating), and international travel.
program director, student athlete development
Peter DeCandia
Pete supports projects that use sports as a catalyst to enhance equity, education, and character growth in Baltimore City Public Schools. In collaboration with City Schools, Under Armour, Positive Coaching Alliance, the Ravens, and other partners, Pete runs the Baltimore Student Athlete Coalition to expand access and opportunity for Baltimore City high school athletics.
Pete came to Baltimore as a 2013 Teach For America Baltimore corps member. Prior to working at the Fund, he taught and coached for three years at Woodlawn High School and one year at St. Paul’s School. He also founded and operates Teacher Props, an organization that helps Baltimore teachers find great housing. He earned his B.S. from Mount St. Mary’s University and M.S Ed. from Johns Hopkins School of Education.
Pete came to Baltimore as a 2013 Teach For America Baltimore corps member. Prior to working at the Fund, he taught and coached for three years at Woodlawn High School and one year at St. Paul’s School. He also founded and operates Teacher Props, an organization that helps Baltimore teachers find great housing. He earned his B.S. from Mount St. Mary’s University and M.S Ed. from Johns Hopkins School of Education.
program director, grants management
Sharon Drevitch Dondes
A member of the Fund’s staff since 2003, Sharon works closely with district and foundation partners as Grants Manager for local and national grants in support of strategic initiatives for City Schools and other education organizations. She serves as the primary point of contact for the Fund’s fiscal sponsorship clients, responsible for triaging and managing clients’ contracting, budgeting, and operational needs. As a senior member of the client services team, Sharon also works to ensure that the Fund’s internal and external processes are providing timely, exceptional support to our district, community, and foundation clients.
Sharon has over 30 years of client service, strategic planning, and business development experience. Prior to joining the Fund, she served as Vice President, Network Development for MedStar Physician Partners. Sharon holds an M.B.A. from Loyola College in Baltimore, a B.A. from Wellesley College, and is a former Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in the Humanities. Sharon lives with her husband and twin daughters in the Pikesville area.
Sharon has over 30 years of client service, strategic planning, and business development experience. Prior to joining the Fund, she served as Vice President, Network Development for MedStar Physician Partners. Sharon holds an M.B.A. from Loyola College in Baltimore, a B.A. from Wellesley College, and is a former Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in the Humanities. Sharon lives with her husband and twin daughters in the Pikesville area.
program associate, baltimore campaign for grade level reading
Ruth Farfel
Ruth’s primary focus is providing programmatic and administrative support to ensure the successful implementation of Grade Level Reading initiatives with an emphasis on communications and social media.
Ruth is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s School of Social Work. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Washington College. Prior to getting her masters, Ruth completed two years of service as an Americorps VISTA managing community engagement projects throughout the City. She grew up in Baltimore and is a Baltimore City Public Schools Alumna (Go Western!). Ruth and her partner live in Northeast Baltimore with her cat Olive.
Ruth is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s School of Social Work. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Washington College. Prior to getting her masters, Ruth completed two years of service as an Americorps VISTA managing community engagement projects throughout the City. She grew up in Baltimore and is a Baltimore City Public Schools Alumna (Go Western!). Ruth and her partner live in Northeast Baltimore with her cat Olive.
finance and operations assistant
Rose Greene
Rose supports the Fund’s Finance and Grants Management department by procuring books and supplies for grant-funded programs in Baltimore City Public Schools and maintaining and reconciling various financial reports. Rose has a B.A. in Business Management from the College of Notre Dame Maryland. Prior to joining the Fund, Rose was the Executive Assistant in Finance at the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts. As a city resident and a grandparent, she is acutely aware of the importance of our work – the work of the fund to achieve equity in education to create a more livable Baltimore.
Program director, baltimore campaign for grade level reading
Angelique Jessup
Angelique works collaboratively with Baltimore City Public Schools and other organizations that promote literacy to ensure all children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. The core focus area for the Campaign is to strengthen family engagement by providing families with quality literacy resources that support children’s literacy development. The Campaign also works to make sure that all children have access to quality books.
Prior to joining the Fund, Angelique worked for Baltimore City Public Schools in both the Office of College and Career Readiness and the Student Support Office. In her roles at City Schools she worked on an array of areas, including career technology education, attendance, and school climate. She received her B.A. from the College of New Jersey and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She lives in North Baltimore with her husband and three children.
Prior to joining the Fund, Angelique worked for Baltimore City Public Schools in both the Office of College and Career Readiness and the Student Support Office. In her roles at City Schools she worked on an array of areas, including career technology education, attendance, and school climate. She received her B.A. from the College of New Jersey and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She lives in North Baltimore with her husband and three children.
Senior program director, district development
Kevin Leary
Kevin works closely with Baltimore City Public Schools’ leadership and the local and national funding communities to craft strategic reform initiatives for private investment. He has helped raise over $20M in private and public funding for critical initiatives to improve student achievement and school culture. He also manages the Heart of the Schools program, a year-round initiative supporting and celebrating all Baltimore City Public Schools principals through recognition, grants, and events.
Prior to joining the Fund, Kevin was an English teacher at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, PA, (three years) and at Serra High School in Los Angeles, CA (two years). Kevin earned his B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Notre Dame, completed his Certification in Secondary Education at the University of Pennsylvania, and earned an M.P.P. at the University of Maryland, College Park. Kevin is originally from Willimantic, CT, and now lives in Baltimore with his wife and two kids.
Prior to joining the Fund, Kevin was an English teacher at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, PA, (three years) and at Serra High School in Los Angeles, CA (two years). Kevin earned his B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Notre Dame, completed his Certification in Secondary Education at the University of Pennsylvania, and earned an M.P.P. at the University of Maryland, College Park. Kevin is originally from Willimantic, CT, and now lives in Baltimore with his wife and two kids.
Senior Program Director, Analysis and Engagement
Corrie Schoenberg
Corrie leads the Fund’s Analysis and Engagement work and direct service projects. She manages the design, execution, and publication of the Fund’s reports, which combine original qualitative inquiry with analysis of existing local and national research to provide a nuanced understanding of current issues in our public schools. She also coordinates follow-up to our reports’ recommendations.
Before joining the Fund in 2010, Corrie served in a number of roles over seven years with TNTP, working with school districts in New York City, New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Indianapolis, St. Paul, Providence, and Baltimore. She holds a B.A. from Northwestern University. Any free time she can scrape together after family is devoted to books.
Before joining the Fund in 2010, Corrie served in a number of roles over seven years with TNTP, working with school districts in New York City, New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Indianapolis, St. Paul, Providence, and Baltimore. She holds a B.A. from Northwestern University. Any free time she can scrape together after family is devoted to books.
president and chief executive officer
Roger Schulman
As President and CEO, Roger works collaboratively with a wide variety of school district, philanthropic, and community partners to advance the Fund’s mission to provide an excellent and equitable education for all Baltimore City students. Under his leadership, the Fund has become a leader in pulling together local and national coalitions to support efforts, including improving literacy outcomes, developing social emotional learning objectives, supporting stronger school and classroom leaders, assessing school effectiveness, and improving career and technical education. Since joining the organization, the Fund has secured and managed over $85M in private and public dollars.
Having started his career as a teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools, Roger has worked in education in Baltimore City and other large districts across the country for nearly 30 years.
Having started his career as a teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools, Roger has worked in education in Baltimore City and other large districts across the country for nearly 30 years.
communications and development associate
Sydney Short
Sydney is responsible for implementing the organization’s overall communications and PR strategy and supporting efforts to secure financial resources that advance the work of both the Fund and City Schools.
Most recently, Sydney served as the Fund’s Program Support Associate assisting in various aspects of the Fund’s work. Sydney is a Baltimore native, a proud Baltimore City College alumna, and a former Baltimore Scholar. She holds a B.A. in International Studies and Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University.
Most recently, Sydney served as the Fund’s Program Support Associate assisting in various aspects of the Fund’s work. Sydney is a Baltimore native, a proud Baltimore City College alumna, and a former Baltimore Scholar. She holds a B.A. in International Studies and Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University.
Program Director, analysis and engagement
Kwane Wyatt
Kwane manages the Fund’s implementation of the Chicago Parent Program (ChiPP) in City Schools and BmoreReady, a peer-to-peer student ambassador program designed to prepare highs schoolers for college. He works closely with the Senior Program Director to support the Fund’s engagement with Baltimore students, families, educators, and communities in identifying and implementing solutions to pressing issues affecting our students and schools.
Most recently, Kwane served as a Career Placement Manager with NPower, a workforce development organization, where he built and cultivated partnerships with the business community and worked directly with young adults on job preparation. His work experience also includes community banking and business development. Kwane holds a B.A. from Morgan State University. Kwane was featured as a background vocalist on a song from Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled album.
Most recently, Kwane served as a Career Placement Manager with NPower, a workforce development organization, where he built and cultivated partnerships with the business community and worked directly with young adults on job preparation. His work experience also includes community banking and business development. Kwane holds a B.A. from Morgan State University. Kwane was featured as a background vocalist on a song from Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled album.
get connected
Sign up for the Fund’s monthly newsletter and stay informed.