Meet the People Behind First State Educate:

Staff, Board & Advisors

The strength of First State Educate comes from the people behind it. Our staff, board members, and advisors combine deep expertise in education, governance, and community impact. United by a belief in the power of public education, this team works every day to expand opportunities and help Delaware students thrive.

Meet Our Staff

  • Julia Keleher

    Julia Keleher

    Executive Director

  • A smiling blonde woman wearing a black top and gold jewelry against a gray background.

    Yvonne Johnson

    Lead School Board Consultant

  • A young woman with short, wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile, wearing hoop earrings and a pink sleeveless turtleneck top, stands against a warm brown background.

    Lucy Breedlove

    Integrated Marketing Communications Manager

  • 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/Research Intern

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a white shirt indoors.

    Kyra Hultgren

    Program Associate

  • Close-up of a woman with dark hair wearing a blue blazer and pearl jewelry, smiling.

    Karen Harcum

    FSE New Castle County Community Ambassador

Meet Our Board Members

  • Thère du Pont

    Thère du Pont

    President, Longwood Foundation

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

  • A man in a navy blazer and light blue dress shirt standing on a staircase with a gold and black ornate railing.

    Tim Carrington

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

  • A smiling man in a dark checkered suit, white shirt, and yellow striped bow tie, standing indoors near a window with greenery outside.

    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.

  • First State Educate logo with red text and arrow, slogan 'Expect Excellence · Act Together' on a white background.

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.

Public Disclosure