Join Our Team & Our Mission

New Leaders Team
California

Our Mission

At New Leaders, we develop transformational, equity-minded school leaders and advance policies and practices that ensure high academic achievement for all children—especially students of color and students from communities with lower incomes.

Join us.

Leadership walk Oakland - New Leaders Images
Patrica Otway-Drummond
New Leaders Alum, 2011

We center on equity.

Our staff of over 160 work to break down every obstacle to student success. We bring our diverse perspectives—57% of whom identify as people of color—to every aspect of our work. 

We walk the talk.

We are experts in the education field and hold decades of experience leading schools. Our program staff average eight years in school leadership.

Jordy Sparks
New Leaders Alum, 2011
New Leaders Team
New York City

We are innovators.

Our imaginations aren’t limited by how things currently work. We adapt to changing needs and find creative, customized solutions, maintaining the highest quality standards.

We Invest In You

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Remote positions across the country
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Robust medical plans with vision and dental care
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401k investment plan options
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Annual performance bonuses and merit increase opportunities
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19 holidays plus generous vacation, sick, and personal days
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Professional development opportunities

Meet Our Team

Each of our 150+ staff members has a different “why” that drew them to New Leaders and propels our mission forward. Learn more about why we do what we do.

Krista Lewis-Johnson

National Senior Executive Director, Program Design & Leadership Academy

How long have you been working with New Leaders?

Since June 2013

We each have a different “why” story that brings us to this work, and ultimately connects us all. What brought you to engage in this work? What is your “why”?

I was born and raised in a small rural area in South Carolina. Although resources were scarce, my parents instilled a love for education in my siblings and me. Their decision to go back to college in their thirties, with four children, changed the trajectory of my life and shaped my perspective on how education, and the opportunities that spring from it, changes everything. Witnessing how education changed our household, coupled with my desire to be a teacher, I became fascinated and passionate about the art of teaching and learning (at all levels) and creating opportunities for people. Over the years and through the privileges that I have had to work in both rural and urban school districts, I’ve seen students in the most troubling, underserved environments outperform other students because conditions were created for them to thrive and there was a belief that they could learn and excel. They rose to the expectations. And, that’s my why! I do this work because I believe that when conditions are created for learning and there are beliefs in the capabilities of leaders, teachers, and students, we’ll consistently see “all students learning.” I want nothing more than for every Black and Brown student, like my own children, to have opportunities galore.

Imagine and describe New Leaders’ impact in 5 – 10 years. How do you envision supporting us in reaching that impact?

In 5-10 years, New Leaders will be the leading, premier leadership development organization, changing the educational landscape nationally and internationally.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I can sing and have been singing since I was a little girl!

Keith Chow

Director, Program Management & Operations

How long have you been working with New Leaders?

Since November 2013

We each have a different “why” story that brings us to this work, and ultimately connects us all. What brought you to engage in this work? What is your “why”?

I have been in education since 2001 when I was a high school English teacher in Chesapeake, VA – incidentally at the alma mater of both Alonzo Mourning and Jay Pharoah. Throughout my education career, I’ve been passionate about finding innovative ways to serve the educational needs of all students, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented communities.

Imagine and describe New Leaders’ impact in 5 – 10 years. How do you envision supporting us in reaching that impact?

In 5-10 years, New Leaders will continue to be the premier destination for school leaders to develop the tools to transform their schools and their communities and to ensure that the American educational system is a fair, equitable, and just one.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I have edited several books and have been a leading voice in the movement for better representation of people of color in the entertainment industry since 2009, with bylines appearing in the New York Times, NBC News, and other outlets.

Wendy Perdomo

Senior Executive Director, Organization-Wide Professional Development & Equity

How long have you been working with New Leaders?

Since November 2014.

We each have a different “why” story that brings us to this work, and ultimately connects us all. What brought you to engage in this work? What is your “why”?

I grew up in low income housing in Harlem in the late 70s/early 80s in a household of five with two non-English speaking parents who both had less than a high school education. My parents made huge sacrifices to put my sisters and I through parochial schools, however, growing up I was keen on the “haves” and “have nots” and knew that education was my ticket to a different life. That remains true today—a quality education is a ticket out for many students, and that’s why I am committed to this work. Your demography should never define your destiny.

Imagine and describe New Leaders’ impact in 5 – 10 years. How do you envision supporting us in reaching that impact?

I imagine that New Leaders will be the premier “go to” organization for the development of educational leaders in the ed reform space, and I envision continuously supporting and rolling out innovative training and professional development programming to grow and develop the talents and skillsets of our staff.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I was once hypnotized as part of a live show. When the hypnotist awoke the audience from the trance, he said there would be one person remaining who would not be able to speak. I was that person. YIKES!
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We support our team with the same passion we bring to our work. We are committed to your success.