Our Commitment Runs Deep
The Dana Center team hails from diverse backgrounds—ranging from classroom instructors and curriculum specialists to operations and communications professionals. Dana Center staff bring to our work a rich collective expertise in classroom teaching, instructional leadership, education administration, curriculum development, and national leadership in organizations
While we may come from a range of backgrounds and bring a range of experiences, each day we show up with a common purpose: to support the equitable access of all students to an excellent math and science education.
Our team understands the challenges, issues, and opportunities facing our nation’s education systems. Many of our staff have served firsthand as instructors, instructional leaders, curriculum developers, and K-12 or higher education administrators. We bring a deep, research-based approach to our work, and we continually push ourselves to innovate.
It is this visionary spirit that led to the creation of the Dana Center by our Executive Director Uri Triesman—and it’s what inspires us each day.
Dana Center Leadership
Uri Treisman, Executive Director
Philip Uri Treisman is a University Distinguished Teaching Professor, professor of mathematics, and professor of public affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
Uri Treisman BioCarolyn Landel, Managing Director
Carolyn works alongside the Center’s executive director to establish long-term strategic goals and priorities in programmatic and partnership development.
Carolyn Landel BioMartha Ellis, Director, Higher Education Strategy, Policy and Services
Among many other roles, Martha spearheads the Center’s strategic planning for the Dana Center Mathematics Pathways.
Martha Ellis BioDoug Sovde, Director, K-12 Education Strategy, Policy, and Services
Doug leads both the strategic direction and partnerships necessary to create equity-driven, high-quality professional learning, instructional materials, and policy and advocacy at scale.
Doug Sovde BioRichard Blount, Chief Operating Officer
Richard leads the business affairs and operational functions of the Center, including accounting, finance, human resources, informational technology, and administration.
RICHARD BLOUNT BIOAfi Y. Wiggins, Director, Program Evaluation and Research
As director of program evaluation and research at the Center, Afi leads the development of comprehensive and coherent strategies for research and evaluation initiatives.
Afi Wiggins BioLara Zuehlke, Director, Marketing and Communications
As director of marketing and communications, Lara leads the Center’s marketing and communications strategy and guides day-to-day execution of activities.
Lara Zuehlke BioMary Ellen Isaacs, Literacy First Director
Mary Ellen is the director of Literacy First, dedicated to providing low-income schools with highly trained tutors to ensure that children advance to grade level in reading before third grade.
Mary Ellen Isaacs BioJeanne Stamp, Texas Homeless Education Office Director
Jeanne conducts training for educators, school administrators, and parents about the laws and rules regarding the education of highly mobile and homeless children.
Jeanne Stamp BioMeet Our Teams
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K-12 Team
Every day at the Dana Center, our K–12 team seeks to dismantle barriers to ensure all students have equitable access to education. That’s why we work at all levels of the K–12 education system, including classroom, school, district, state, and national.
Doug Sovde, Director, K–12 Education Strategy, Policy, and Services
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Higher Education Team
The Dana Center’s Higher Education team works every day to reduce the barriers to higher education by creating more seamless transitions from high school to—and through—gateway mathematics courses at two- and four-year institutions. This includes work across our Dana Center Mathematics Pathways initiative, support and professional learning services, policy development, and curricular resources.
Martha Ellis, Director, Higher Education Policy, Strategy, and Services
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Evaluation Team
The Dana Center works with our nation’s education systems to transform structures and teaching practices to improve student achievement—especially those who are traditionally underserved and underrepresented. By continually evaluating our work, we can ensure that the right tools, processes, and strategies are in place to achieve our goals.
Afi Y. Wiggins, Director of Program Evaluation and Research
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Communications Team
The communications team at the Charles A. Dana Center supports the Center through a portfolio of marketing, communications, and digital initiatives.
Lara Zuehlke, Director of Marketing and Communications
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Operations Team
The Dana Center's Operations Team provides critical administrative support, accounting services, and technology resource management to the organization.
Richard Blount, Chief Operating Officer
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Literacy First Team
Literacy First is an early childhood literacy program, providing low-income schools with highly trained tutors to ensure that children advance to grade level in reading before third grade.
Mary Ellen Isaacs, Literacy First Director
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THEO Team
The Texas Homeless Education Office (THEO) is committed to ensuring that all Texas children in homeless situations have the opportunity to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school.
Jeanne Stamp, Texas Homeless Education Office Director
Get In Touch
We collaborate with state districts and teachers to develop innovative curricular, resources, and professional development.