Board of Directors

Delaware's success depends on its people. The success of its people depends on quality education. Delaware's educational opportunities depend on all of us. The Delaware leaders serving on our board use their experience to champion better learning opportunities statewide. We thank them for their dedication.

Meet Our Staff

  • Julia Keleher

    Julia Keleher

    Executive Director

  • Yvonne Johnson

    Leader of School Board Consultants

  • Lucy Breedlove

    Integrated Marketing Communications Manager

  • Alex Dewey

    Alex Dewey

    Research Associate

  • Alexandria McClellan

    Alexandria McClellan

    Program Associate

  • Olivia Hayes

    Olivia Hayes

    Education Policy Intern

  • Brianna DavIs

    Brianna DavIs

    Communications and Social Media Intern

  • Bruna Cazarini

    Bruna Cazarini

    Business Management/Reseach Intern

Meet Our Board Members

  • Thère du Pont

    Thère du Pont

    President, Longwood Foundation

    Former CFO at Wawa; board member at DuPont and WSFS Bank.

  • Tim Carrington

    Information Security Compliance Manager, CSC
    Cybersecurity leader and adjunct professor in IT.

  • Gary T. Henry

    Professor, University of Delaware
    National leader in education policy and evaluation; AERA Fellow.

  • Jim Kelly

    Jim Kelly

    Chairman, CRED Technologies
    Former COO of ING Direct with experience in finance and tech.

  • Samanta Lopez

    Samanta Lopez

    Chair, Education Dept., Del Tech
    Former educator, school leader, and international speaker.

  • Jack Perry

    Jack Perry

    Partner, TNTP
    Former deputy chief in Philadelphia schools; founded Prestige Academy.

  • Jocelyn Stewart

    Jocelyn Stewart

    Board Member (Ret.)
    Retired executive from Barclays with financial leadership expertise.

Advisory Board Member

  • Desa Burton

    Executive Director, Zip Code Wilmington
    Navy veteran and leader in workforce development and technology education.

  • Michael Watson

    Chief Information Officer, State of Delaware
    Cybersecurity and digital infrastructure strategist serving the public sector.

  • Carlos Dipres

    Education Leader and Systems Thinker
    Advocate for student-centered design and equity in public education.

  • Teri Quinn Gray

    Head of Global Science Engagement, DuPont
    STEM champion, corporate leader, and former President of the Delaware State Board of Education.

  • Tony Marchio

    Former Superintendent and Education Consultant
    Veteran school leader focused on improving outcomes through strategic planning and leadership development.

  • Peggy Geisler

    Owner and Senior Consultant, PMG Consulting LLC
    Nonprofit strategist and licensed Standards for Excellence consultant with 25 years of experience in infrastructure, planning, and community impact.

  • Dave Tiberi

    Community Leader, Nonprofit Executive, and Former Delaware Senate Candidate
    Dedicated to youth development, public service, and civic engagement.

As the work of First State Educate progresses, so will the size and scope of our board. We look forward to engaging many more points of view — family members, educators, school leaders, students, and community members.