Our Board
Board of Directors & Student Leadership Board
College and career success doesn’t have to fall on your shoulders alone.
Our unique approach relies on partnerships with trusted, nonprofit universities. They provide our students affordable access to their degree programs, and we provide all the things that students need to be successful: a deeply supported onboarding process, personalized coaching and supports in our Denver campus, and a community of caring staff and peers that will be with them every step of the way.
This approach means students can pursue their degree and build their career at the same time, even while working or supporting family.
Board of Directors
Susana Córdova
Susana Córdova
Susana Córdova is the Colorado Commissioner of Education, the first Latina to hold the state’s top education position. She previously served as the deputy superintendent of Dallas Independent School District. Córdova also served as superintendent of Denver Public Schools, where she spent more than 30 years serving as a teacher or school leader at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Córdova is a DPS graduate who began her teaching career as a bilingual teacher at Horace Mann Middle School and rose through the ranks to become superintendent in 2019. Córdova received her undergraduate degree in English from the University of Denver, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction/education administration from the University of Colorado, and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in education by the University of Denver.
Meg Lafave
Meg Lafave
Donna Lynne
Donna Lynne
Bill Kurtz
Bill Kurtz
Bill Kurtz was the Founding Head of School of the Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST), before becoming CEO in 2009. DSST currently serves around 7,000 students across 8 middle and 8 high schools in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. DSST has consistently operated the highest performing middle and high schools in Denver and Colorado since its inception in 2004. DSST won the 2018 Broad Prize for urban education as the top performing charter management organization in the country.
Bill was inducted into the National Charter School Hall of Fame in 2016, and was recognized as the 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year by the New Schools Venture Fund. Bill is an Aspen Institute-Pahara Fellow and is a graduate of the Broad Superintendent program.
Prior to joining DSST, Bill served as Principal of Link Community School in Newark, NJ, and Assistant Principal at The Holy Cross School in South Bronx, NY. Bill holds a B.A. in Politics from Princeton University, and an M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration from Columbia University.
Rosemary Rodriguez
Rosemary Rodriguez
Kent Thiry
Kent Thiry
Board Emeritus
Jandel Allen Davis
Jandel Allen-Davis
Elizabeth Concordia
Elizabeth Concordia
Student Leadership Board
Aaron Bell
Aaron Bell
Board Member
My name is Aaron Bell, I plan to major in a Bachelor’s in Business Management. Fun Fact: I always have a plan. Something I do outside of work is I create videos and post them on-line. As for Career goals my ultimate goal is to become a Software Engineer and lead a small business.
Albert Garcia
Albert Garcia
Board Member
I currently attend Western Governors University. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security and Information Assurance. A fun fact about me is that I am into Crypto Currency. A career goal that I want to achieve is becoming a Security Analyst.
Ferousya Abdul-Kadir
Ferousya Abdul-Kadir
Board Member
I am going to be pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Colorado State University.
Fun Fact: I have catered for 250 people by myself. I like to cook all types of foods ranging from Asian food, American food; African food, and Italian food. I am a volunteer at Jeffco Action Center, as a shelter meal volunteer. I am a delivery driver/caregiver.
Career Goal: I would like to work in law enforcement as a Criminologist.
Hanna Fernandez Cellis
Board Member
Hanna Fernandez Cellis
President
I am currently in between majors. I will be attending CSU Global for a Bachelor’s – Accounting or Management. I am an Underwriter at Pinnacol Assurance
Policy Advocate for Education at Ednium
Student Leadership Board – President at AdvanceEDU
Fun Fact: Avid tea time enjoyer, solitaire player, loving bird watcher.
Jahmila AaronAli
Jah Aaron-Aoli
Board Member
CSUGlobal – Business Administration Certificate
Multidisciplinary Aborginal Entrepreneurial non-binary burlesque performer, who is dedicated to creating sacred space for authentic self-expression. They are opening a U.N.I.V.E.R.S.E cafe inviting everyone to indulge in a holistic sustainable experience of art and nourishment. An earthship cafe designed to harmonize eco-friendly practices with community values.
I am an entrepreneur who is a Denver Native. I am a mom, a certified yoga teacher, I love to bake and cook. I am a certified barista and bartender. I am very passionate about land ownership. I am a first time college student in my family. Part-Time student/Full-Tine authentic soul.
Kodi Toussaint
President
Kodi Toussaint
President
My name is Kodi Toussaint. I am the President of the Student Leadership Board. I am a Practice Manager with Denver Health. Kodi started her journey with AdvanceEDU in 2020 with the goals of advancing her education and career. In a moment of time where she wanted to make strides in hercareer to either elevate or pivot, Kodi was able to receive career coaching from AdvanceEDU that sparked the path she’s on now.
Thanks to Denver Health’s tuition reimbursement benefit paired with ongoing scholarships and coaching support from AdvanceEDU, Kodi has been able to confidently enroll and take classes online with Colorado State University Global while advancing her career along the way. Kodi said: “My journey has been challenging at times but very rewarding, I have advanced my career with two promotions from feeling like I was in concrete shoes. I have learned how to be more confident and patient in my current situation, and how to navigate through a large organization where I am welcome to be the full me. The shift in my mindset is that I know that I have the opportunity to advance my career at any time and not to limit myself.” Kodi shared that the “the combination of full support from Denver Health and AdvanceEDU has led to biggest success on my path” and ultimately helped land her in her dream career. For Kodi, the sky’s the limit from here, and AdvanceEDU will be there to support her every step of the way.
Lizbeth Reyes
Lizbeth Reyes
Board Member
I am majoring in Business Management at CSU Global.
Fun Fact: I love to travel! My favorite places I have been so far are Barcelona and Puerto Rico!
Career Goals: I hope to maybe own a business/go into a business that gives back to the community
Michelle Vigil
Michelle Vigil
Board Member
Hi my name is Michelle Elyssia Vigil with an intended major in Education, hoping to pursue my career goal of an International Traveling Teacher. Fun Fact about me is that I take a lot of interest in things like mindfulness, arts and crafts, and nature.
Yesenia Mendoza
Secretary
Yesenia Mendoza
Secretary
