Our Commitment Runs Deep
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 Treisman—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 BioElisha Smith Arrillaga, Managing Director
Elisha works to enact the Center’s mission of ensuring that all students—particularly those who have traditionally been underserved—have equitable access to an excellent math and science education.
Elisha Smith Arrillaga BioRichard Blount, Chief Operating Officer
Richard leads the business affairs and operational functions of the Center, including accounting, finance, administration, communication and publications, human resources, and informational technology
RICHARD BLOUNT BIODavid Kung, Director, Policy
David leads the policy work at the Center, which includes in-depth policy analysis and the development of tools and briefs for systems, regions, and states.
David T. Kung BioAfi Y. Wiggins, Director, Strategy and Impact
Afi leads the strategic planning and evaluation of organizational impact and equity goals, and oversees our fundraising process.
Afi Wiggins 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 BioMeet Our Teams
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Policy Team
David T. Kung, Director, Policy Team
Lindsay Fitzpatrick, Lead for Transition Initiatives
Carl Krueger, Senior Policy Analyst
Jeremy Martin, Senior Policy & Research Analyst
Heather Ortiz, Coordinator, State Implementation Specialist
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Curriculum Team
Susan May, Manager, Curriculum Team
Sherri Jones, Course Program Specialist, Secondary Mathematics
Anne Joyoprayitno, Course Program Specialist, Secondary Mathematics
Josh Recio, Course Program Specialist, Secondary Mathematics
Connie Richardson, Manager, Higher Education Course Services
Frank Savina, Course Program Specialist, Postsecondary Mathematics
Joan Zoellner, Course Program Specialist, Postsecondary Mathematics
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Professional Learning Team
Shelly LeDoux, Manager, Professional Learning Team
Lisa Brown, Professional Learning Specialist, Higher Education
Mary Davis, Professional Learning Facilitator, K–12 Mathematics
Molly Ewing, Professional Learning Facilitator, K–12 Science
Michael Greenlee, Professional Learning Facilitator, K–12 Mathematics
Jackie LeJeune, Professional Learning Facilitator, K–12 Leadership
Denise Thornton, Professional Learning Facilitator, K–12 Mathematics
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Strategy and Impact Team
Afi Wiggins, Director, Strategy and Impact Team
Amy Getz, Manager, Special Projects
Erica Moreno, Manager, Project Management
Ting-Ting Chen, Project Coordinator
Steve Engler, Senior Writer/Editor
Courtney Howard, Project Coordinator
Ken Martin, Program Coordinator
Carol Pazera, Senior Research Analyst
Sara Spiegel, Manager
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Operations Team
Richard Blount, Chief Operating Officer
Cynthia Flores, Manager, Finances
Bryan Kennel, Manager, Technology
Alison Kothe, Manager, Communications and Publications
Megan Cantu, Grants and Contracts Specialist
Ophella Dano, Senior Writer/Editor
Jacqueline King, Administrative Associate
Rachel Jenkins, Senior Writer/Editor
Despina Lambros, Accountant II
Laura Maldonado, Administrative Associate
Margaret McCook, Electronic Publications Specialist
Rachele Seifert, Administrative Associate
Lilly Soto, Senior Administrative Associate
Alisha Thompson, Grants and Contracts Coordinator
Sarah Wenzel, Administrative Associate
Melanie Zepp, Human Resources Coordinator
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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
Rachel Mallernee, Associate Director of Development
Gabriela Garcia-De Avila, Americorps Operation Manager
Jason Buckingham, Senior Program Coordinator
Sarah Lowery, Development Specialist
Logan Marconette, Recruitment and Outreach Coodinator
Monica Ortiz, Bilingual Program CoordinatorAnique Reese, Senior Program Coordinator
Sebastian Wren, Senior Program Coordinator
Get In Touch
We collaborate with state districts and teachers to develop innovative curricular, resources, and professional development.