Focused on maximizing outcomes, Chris uses individualization to develop and leverage the strengths of those around him.

Paired with his ability to connect on a deeper level, he excels at managing our client relationships, developing value-based strategies for school partners, and guides our vision to keep our school and organizational partners at the forefront of everything we do.

Before co-founding Fulcrum, Chris served as the Principal of Chicago Collegiate Charter School where he led it to a Level 1+ rating (the highest designation given to Chicago Public Schools) for two years in a row. His experience also includes serving as a founding teacher at Gary Comer College Prep, a Noble Network of Charter Schools campus, and later as its first Alumni College Coordinator supporting students’ transition to and through college.

Chris holds a B.S. in Biology from Indiana University and an M.A. in Teaching from National-Louis University. He was also a participant in the Fisher Fellowship for School Leaders.

As a strategist, Isiah brings a wealth of knowledge of best practices on how to best serve historically underserved students at an exceptionally high level.

Through a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity, he assists teams in developing critical mindsets and tangible skill sets so that educational leaders can achieve high levels of success.

Before joining Fulcrum, Isiah spent over 15 years in various roles (teacher, Dean of Students, Founding Principal, Network Coordinator for Equity and Culture) in Milwaukee and Beloit schools. One of his most notable roles was as Manager and Instructional Specialist for Teach for America’s DC Region. Then he transitioned into the EDTech sector, helping schools nationwide and internationally improve systems and structures that support bold student achievement outcomes.

Isiah holds a B.S. in Community Education from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, a B.S. in Communications from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Concordia University- Portland. He also completed the National Institute for Urban School Leaders Program at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Enthusiastic about development and problem solving, Katie cultivates teachers’ and leaders’ potential to continually strengthen and develop their practice.

As a collaborative thought partner, she embraces the challenge of analyzing symptoms, brainstorming possible causes, and experimenting with different solutions to find ways to improve and transform instructional outcomes for all students.

Before joining Fulcrum, Katie served as a Special Education teacher, Reading Specialist, Response to Intervention (RTI) Coordinator, Instructional Coach, and school leader in public and charter schools in Washington, DC.

Katie holds a B.A. in Psychology & Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a M.Ed. in Literacy Curriculum & Instruction from American University.

Passionate about educational innovation, equity, and development, Chandra utilizes her strengths as a relationship builder and arranger to help principals and instructional leaders improve efforts in their unique school contexts.

As a thought partner to Chicago schools, she focuses on meaningful and purposeful professional experiences for educators that will build their capacity for more powerful interactions with students.

Before joining Fulcrum, Chandra served as an English teacher, assistant principal, principal, Network Manager, and Director of Curriculum in several states including MD, NC, IL, DE, and TN. Most recently she was Founding Principal of a charter high school in Memphis, TN.

Chandra holds a B.A. in English Secondary Education from North Carolina Central University, an MSA from North Carolina State University, and an Ed.D in Administration and Supervision from Loyola University Chicago.

As a human-centered leader, Max enjoys leveraging relationships to enhance opportunities and outcomes for all members of a school community.

It is through his appreciation of the complexity of schoolhouses, their uniqueness, and the variety of teaching and learning that happens within that aids in his work and approach to best prepare leaders, teachers, and students.

Before joining Fulcrum, Max served as a teacher and Instructional Coach across charter, public, and private schools in New York and Chicago. He has over a decade of experience as a school leader in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois.

Max holds a B.A. from Brandeis University, an M.S. in Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education, and an M.S. in School Administration and Supervision from Fordham University. He is also a Ph.D. Candidate in Ed Leadership from Concordia University – Chicago.

Using his strengths in strategy and ideation, Cal supports us in developing high-quality support strategies for school partners, managing the day-to-day operations of the organization, and setting the larger vision and direction for Fulcrum’s growth and impact.

Before founding Fulcrum, Cal’s experience as an instructional leader at the school and district level allowed him to see the specific problems that we work to solve in schools. He worked in the Chicago Public Schools Central Office managing the city’s Early College STEM Schools, served as Lead Dean of Instruction in the Noble Network of Charter Schools, and trained hundreds of beginning teachers as a Curriculum Specialist and Curriculum Coordinator through Teach For America.

Cal holds a B.S. in Chemistry and French from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and an M.A. in teaching from National-Louis University. He is currently a doctoral student at the University of Washington in Seattle working towards his Ph.D. in educational policy, organizations, and leadership.

As a deliberative, context-based leader, Rickie primarily works on Partner and Business Administration and supporting School Leadership teams on strategy, instruction, and implementation.

He focuses on facilitative coaching and authentic learning to develop the capacity of the individuals and organizations he works with. He also oversees our strategic priorities.

Before joining Fulcrum, Rickie spent nearly a dozen years in schools where half his time was dedicated to leadership roles, including Principal of Namaste Charter School. He then moved to the start-up world where he led the business and academic side of Learnmetrics, a school performance data analytics company, as the Chief Academic Officer.

Rickie holds a B.S. in Economics and History with a minor in Spanish from Vanderbilt University, a M.Ed. in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from UNLV, and an M.A. in Education Administration from Dominican University.