Ronald Chaluisán Battle, MEd, MA

Executive Director

Mr. Chaluisán works to unite people and organizations committed to helping Newark's 78,000 children and youth succeed in the classroom, at home, and in their communities. To achieve this goal, he leads the Trust's staff as they develop relationships built upon collaboration with families and key stakeholders. Through two-way information sharing, he encourages a broad input of ideas, setting shared objectives, making collective decisions, aligning actions, and continuously assessing progress. 

Izabelle Denizé

Associate Director, Operations

Pritha Gopalan, PhD

Director, Research and Learning

In her role, Dr. Gopalan collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to embed program data systems and formative and summative research in programs and services of the Trust and its partners. She ensures that these approaches are informed by current thinking while also resonating with the strengths, interests, and needs of service providers and families in Newark. She strives to ensure that her work is grounded in inclusive and authentic fieldwork and informs continuous improvement of on-the-ground initiatives.

Rosslin Mensah-Boateng, MPA

Manager, Operations

Ms. Mensah-Boateng supports three members of The Trust's leadership team: the Executive Director, the Associate Director of Operations, and the Director of Finance. Her responsibilities include the management of human resources as well as the implementation of operational policies and procedures.

Lissette Morales, BA

Program Officer, Early Learning

Ms. Morales is responsible for the Great Start, Great Future Series, which connects caregivers and facilitates access to community resources, developmental information, and assessments. 

Stephanie Parry, MPA

Director, P-12 Strategy

Ms. Parry is responsible for leading the Trust's P-12 strategy: aligning perspectives, strategies, resources, and policies within the ecosystem to ensure all Newark students have access to high-quality public education. In addition to identifying and promoting research-based practice, she provides information to stakeholders, creates forums for the exchange of ideas, and works with partners throughout the city and state to promote equitable learning conditions.

Oana Vicol, AS

Director, Finance|Controller

Ms. Vicol works closely with the Executive Director and Associate Director of Operations to ensure the Trust's financial well-being using generally accepted accounting principles and appropriate financial management techniques. Furthermore, Ms. Vicol is responsible for providing strategic financial input on decision-making issues affecting the organization. 

Tameeka Walden, BS

Program Coordinator

Mrs. Walden works with colleagues to engage community members and mobilize volunteer teams to support initiatives that seek to transform communities. This position involves working with families, children, and school-based groups to identify issues of importance to the education of children and youth in Newark, promote social-emotional and mental health as foundational components of education, and brainstorm potential improvement strategies.

Kalimah Wilson, BA

Director, Early Learning Strategy 

Ms. Wilson oversees the Trust's Early Learning Strategy, encompassing the Great Start, Great Future series and the Newark CARES Network. The Early Learning team members collaborate with local stakeholders, national experts, community agencies, family childcare providers, and families to ensure equitable access to quality early childhood education. In addition, she collaborates with colleagues on the Trust's emerging family engagement strategy, which includes the Families as Decision Makers program.