Our Team

At just 8 years old, a powerful force opened up Stuart’s world. He was celebrated for thinking outside the box, encouraged to be creative, appreciated for the unconventional way he solved problems. This force helped develop Stuart’s heart and intellect and changed the very course of his life. That force was the love and care of one, exceptional teacher.  

That teacher ignited a passion in Stuart, setting his life on a course of entrepreneurship. Stuart was—what he calls—a “lemonade-stand kid,” always finding creative ways to save money. As a grade schooler, he made a business selling Pop Rocks to his classmates on the playground. Later, as a student at UC Berkeley, Stuart saw that college students needed better access to money, so he joined a group of students who started one of the country’s first student-run credit unions. Stuart ran the credit union while carrying a full load of college courses. Decades later, the Cal Berkeley Federal Credit Union still exists under another name, having expanded its model—of non-profit banks run by and for students—to other colleges and continuing to serve students across the country. 

After graduating, Stuart’s enthusiasm for business and banking led him to be taught by the greats in the industry. Through his experiences growing midsize companies and starting his own enterprises, he continued to paint outside the lines—just like his 3rd grade teacher had taught him. He developed strong roots in global strategy –consulting and gained extensive experience leading high-growth organizations to meet and exceed their financial goals.  

As Stuart’s career unfolded, he continued to work to empower others. His continued gratitude for his education growing up inspired him to find ways to support and sustain leaders of outside-the-box learning. Stuart’s belief has always been that every child should have a nurturing school environment that unlocks their potential—so in 2006, Charter School Capital was born.   

As CSC’s founder and CEO, Stuart applies his heart to solving complex problems by addressing and transforming the unique financial challenges faced by charter schools. Today, Stuart is honored that CSC has deployed ~ $3 billion in funding on behalf of over 900 charter schools, supporting 2 million students across the country. With each dollar invested, CSC nurtures schools that are home to innovative leaders and educators—with the united purpose of helping students grow and thrive. 

Stuart lives in Portland, Oregon, and is a father to 3 daughters. He recently adopted his first dog and loves skiing in the nearby mountains. He actively supports local Portland schools and educational programs dedicated to supporting underserved student populations. 

Brad has always been a pragmatic guy. As a teenager, when many kids are dreaming about sports, cars and weekends, Coburn was assessing which career would best match his skills to give him a stable and rewarding career after graduation. With a gift for numbers, he studied economics, receiving a degree with honors the University of California at Berkeley. There he met his future co-founder Stuart Ellis.

Brad first launched his finance career at investment firm Credit Suisse First Boston. His entrepreneurial spirit first took roots when he opened a health club in San Francisco (and yes, you should ask him how much he can bench press). Brad went on to receive an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. While working for a large financial institution in securitized finance, Stuart contacted him about the opportunity to aid charter schools. Brad’s knowledge of secured debt, real estate and financial transactions are invaluable pillars to the company’s foundation.

When Brad’s not working on building up capital from investors to support our charter school clients, he enjoys extreme outdoor sports like heli-skiing and mountain cycling. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids in Larkspur, CA.

Above all, Kirt believes in unlocking human potential. It’s this belief that drives Kirt to help realize CSC’s vision: that all kids have access to a nourishing learning environment where they can flourish. Kirt has been applying his background in finance and business in service to charter schools for decades—in 2001, Kirt served as a founding executive for Insight Schools, a national network of publicly funded charter high schools. He holds graduate degrees in both Economics and Business Administration from Boston University, and finds great purpose in offering unwavering financial and practical support to schools—schools that remove barriers for the poets and scientists of generations to come.

A Portland resident since 1997, Kirt can be found either running up in the hills of Forest Park with his wife, two daughters, and yellow lab, Luna, or swimming in the Willamette River between the Marquam and Hawthorne Bridge.

Danielle loves applying her accounting know-how in service to great schools—in her role as Chief Financial Officer, she’s able to do just that. Danielle holds a BS in Business Administration from Oregon State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. She considers herself an “atypical accountant,” in that she stays involved in many projects that are not directly accounting-related, but that move the company’s mission forward.

In her free time, Danielle coaches competitive girls’ soccer. She is an Oregon native and currently lives in the Portland metro area with her husband and two daughters.

Chris is a charter school parent—he had two daughters attend charter schools and saw them thrive in innovative and nurturing learning environments. He now works to empower charter schools across the country in his role as CSC’s General Counsel. Chris brings a wealth of expertise to the leadership team, with many years of experience in legal matters, including finance, corporate, real estate, and contracting. Outside of work, Chris enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with his family, seeing live music, and supporting the Timbers and Wahoos.

Schalise is a creative problem solver—a skill she loves using in her role at CSC. As Chief Operating Officer, Schalise leads an innovative team that knows how to think outside the box and pivot quickly when needed.

Schalise has abundant experience informing her work on behalf of charter schools. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and her Masters in Financial Analysis from Portland State University, and began by partnering with struggling businesses across the country—helping them get a basic understanding of their finances, what changes to implement, and how to more effectively manage their operations. Later, as a financial analyst, Schalise worked on a research team that advised on small and mid-size bank investments. In CSC, Schalise has found a place where her experience advising and helping others can flourish.

The school CSC serves benefit from Schalise’s focus, drive, and hard-working support for the team. She truly shows up and gives it her all—every day. She’s organized, outcome-driven, and loves facing problems head-on.

In her free time, you’re sure to find Schalise enjoying a river, lake, or hiking with her dogs.

Michael Barber, CSC’s Vice President of Marketing, is the first to say he is a helper—he is in tune with the needs of others and finds purpose in helping others achieve their goals. Leading the Marketing Team, Michael’s drive to serve is the undercurrent of all he does; he is dedicated to serving schools with valuable resources, straightforward support, and transparent messaging.  

Michael has a robust marketing background, beginning his career among the top leaders in digital marketing. He led strategy and planning at several companies before founding his own consultancy, allowing him to provide support for marketing teams across industries. He began speaking at conferences and marketing gatherings across the country, and his work was featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. In 2017, Michael was named one of Marketo’s Fearless 50, which recognizes the top marketers around the globe driving bold, fearless marketing and digital transformation.

“Bold” and “fearless” are descriptors that continue to describe Michael’s marketing work, and also his personal pursuits. Outside of work, you can find Michael traveling, obsessing over airplanes, BMWs, the Arizona Wildcats, or his friends and family. He loves a good cold brew with a donut, and spending time with his husband and dog, Manny.

As the Paralegal Manager in the Underwriting department at CSC, Amy Colie plays a crucial role in ensuring our legal operations run smoothly and efficiently. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from the University of Oregon, Amy possesses a solid foundation in liberal arts and humanities, providing a well-rounded approach to the complex world of corporate law. With over 20 years of experience as a Corporate Paralegal in Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland, Amy has honed her skills and knowledge in diverse legal environments, making her a valuable asset to our team and CSC’s service to schools.

Amy is a proud parent to a college sophomore and enjoys gardening, cooking, and hiking.

Arlacia offers a breadth of professional experience that spans over 20 years in banking, real estate, education, and hospitality. Arlacia holds a B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University in Organizational Leadership, and is honored to be part of Charter School Capital and use her business acumen to assist charter schools and families. Arlacia has volunteered on several parent committees and is passionate about championing the development of children and individuals with disabilities. While traveling gives her joy, she also relishes watching movies and cooking for her family in their home just outside Philadelphia, PA.

Ashley brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role at CSC. She attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, earning a BA in Spanish and Bilingual Education and a minor in Early Childhood Development. She then went on to complete a post-grad certificate program in Graphic & Web Development at the Art Institute of Colorado in Denver. As one of the Enrollment Marketing team’s Project Managers, Ashley works directly with school leaders to assist in growing thriving classrooms and also supports the EM team broadly with graphic design strategies to help them build their school’s unique brand.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys all things adventurous, including traveling, extreme sports, getting lost in the backcountry, trying new things, meeting new people, and having new experiences. Her lifelong dream is to create an innovative art and outdoor adventure camp for at-risk youth.

As a Project Manager, Betsy Roberts works closely with school leaders to develop and implement marketing campaigns that increase enrollment. With a degree in Journalism and Public Relations from University of Oregon, Betsy has a robust background in building brand awareness—she has worked alongside dozens of companies over the course of her twenty-year marketing and PR career. Betsy loves helping charter schools thrive and collaborating with the dynamic team at CSC.

Betsy’s dedication to quality education extends to her service as a board member at her kids’ elementary school, which aims to raise funds for teaching positions not covered by the school district. Outside of work, Betsy is a dedicated mom to her two amazing kids.

Brian has always loved working with numbers, especially when it opens up new opportunities. After getting his Bachelor’s in Economics from Portland State University, he earned a Certificate in Accounting from Linfield College and is a Certified Public Accountant. As CSC’s VP of Finance & Accounting, Brian plays an important role in providing the stability needed so schools can get the financial support they need to thrive.

Brian is a staunch advocate of the charter school movement, having had his own child experience the benefits of a charter school education. He is also an avid sports fan and enthusiastic athlete—Brian loves riding his bike around Portland, from Timbers games in the northwest to weekly kickball games in the northeast.

Claire is a firm believer in quality education. She’s a huge supporter of reimagining how education is integrated with and prioritized within communities. Claire has benefited from the opportunities and perspectives granted by her own education—after getting a BA in International Politics and Modern European History from UC Santa Cruz, and spending a year studying in the United Kingdom, Claire went on to earn her MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Marylhurst. As CSC’s Corporate Paralegal, Claire works with our in-house legal team to manage all things corporate compliance related.

Claire lives with her husband, their two cats (who are self-taught therapists), and a river view that soothes her soul while she practices yoga.  In her spare time, she works on a novel she is writing and obsesses over the comings and goings of the British Royal Family.

Cheril Clarke serves school as a Content Strategist at CSC, where she spends most of her time writing and researching blogs and drafting paid advertising plans for schools. Cheril attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and brings a wealth of expertise having written for a wide range of demographics, including children’s books, speeches for State Senators, and Fortune 500 executives. She loves applying her skills to elevate what schools are doing for underserved student populations.

Outside of work, Cheril loves spending time with horses, in gardens, and exploring nature. She is an avid traveler and has visited 21 countries and half of the United States.

Corey is a seasoned Sr. Paralegal with over 25 years of experience in the legal field. He holds a B.A. in Paralegal Studies from the University of Memphis and started his career path as an entry-level paralegal at a Texas law firm. At CSC, Corey works as a part of the Underwriting team and focuses on helping schools get the money they need to thrive. He also supports facility and asset management and charter and corporate compliance. Corey loves applying his experience and knowledge to help schools get where they’re going, and he strives to learn something new every day, both personally and professionally.

Outside of work, Corey’s greatest passion is exploring the great outdoors through biking, camping, backpacking, and hiking. He is an avid traveler, having a special fondness for cooler climates, and has a goal of visiting every U.S. National Park before retirement. His happy place is Iceland.

Elisa brings 16 years of experience in HR Leadership, Organizational Development, Recruiting Management, Non-Profit Business Operations Management to our team. She has a BA in Business and an MA in Psychology from The University of Santa Monica (USM). She chose USM for its unique curriculum co-taught by the pioneers in the field. Elisa was so drawn to that form of experiential education that not long after she graduated, she also became an employee—directing the HR and Operations function for the University for 8.5 years. She also holds an SHRM-SCP certification.

Elisa joined CSC because of the mission and how the organization supports education. She considers herself a life-long learner, and alternative forms of education such as Charter Schools resonate deeply with her values. What excites her about CSC is that we have the heart of a non-profit backed by brilliant minds with high levels of business acumen and the resources to make a real difference. Supporting this organization in expanding internal HR Services and becoming a best-in-class employer is just the kind of work that gives Elisa energy.

Outside of work, Elisa enjoys the great Pacific Northwest outdoors, adventures with her daughter, and volunteering at the Portland Audubon. At Portland Audubon, she gets to admit sick or injured birds and other animals into the Wildlife Care Center for rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild.

Emily Wymore is a Financial Analyst on the underwriting team at CSC, where she helps ensure schools are on the path to financial success. She graduated with a degree in finance and international business from Portland State University and brings valuable expertise in banking and sales to her work. Emily is passionate about finding creative solutions to help schools achieve their goals and is excited about the meaningful impact she can make in the lives of students and educators.

Outside of work, Emily loves spending time with her fiancé and two dogs, taking them on walks, hikes, and beach trips.

Georgia’s experience in Commercial Real Estate spans over 20 years. Her passions in Commercial Real Estate are numerous, but she particularly enjoys the very physical/tangible nature of buildings, working with a wide variety of tenants, helping them with their concerns, and building a genuine, trusting relationship with them.

An alumnus of the University of Southern California, she studied International Relations. A favorite memory of her time there is spending hours and hours in the “stacks” at Doheny Library. She would dream of reading every one of the 500,000 books in the library. She still wishes that!

Currently, Georgia works with the Asset Management team as an Assistant Facilities Manager. The main focus areas are tenant property taxes and insurance – ensuring that correct documentation is collected and timely payments.

Outside of the office, Georgia loves science and has an extensive and growing library on the subject. She was never particularly interested in science until one great teacher opened her eyes, and her world changed forever. The power of one teacher to change lives can’t be overstated!

Having a passion for startups and entrepreneurship, Ingrid pursued her MBA at Babson College, concentrating in Finance and Investments. During her years at Babson, she worked in private equity, developing expertise in financial modeling, analysis, and deal evaluation and execution. Following her MBA, Ingrid worked for Homesite, a fast-growing residential real estate startup. She then headed to Marcus & Millichap, which included sourcing acquisition opportunities for my clients.

Working at CSC allows Ingrid to combine her passions for real estate investing, social impact, and startups! What excites her most is using her passion for real estate investments to enhance education, empowering and shaping the next generation. As a mother, Ingrid is grateful that she could join a company that works every day towards leaving a better society for her daughter.

Ingrid loves spending time with her family outside of the office, especially picnics, hiking in the mountains, and running at the beach. She also loves dancing Tango, Salsa, and Flamenco and is passionate about health and wellness.

Iris grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and attended an Adult High School Program as an alternative to the traditional public-school options. She went on to earn a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design University and then a Paralegal Certificate from UCLA’s extension program. After five years of working in civil rights litigation, Iris pivoted into a more collaborative area of law—which brought her to CSC’s legal department, where she supports the effort of getting schools the resources they need to thrive.

In her free time, Iris can be found reading, playing music, following women’s soccer, and adventuring around the PNW with her dog and family.

With years of experience working in the finance side of education, Jen has developed a deep passion for supporting schools, families, and students in achieving their dreams. She finds joy in watching them grow and succeed and is excited to bring that passion to CSC to provide exceptional support to schools and clients.

Jennifer is known for her adventurous spirit, and she loves to travel and meet people from diverse cultures around the world.

Jesse Foss is a Content Strategist on the Enrollment Marketing team, bringing over 15 years of experience in education and writing to her role. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Linfield University and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Montana. Jesse’s teaching career took her to Oregon, Switzerland, Bosnia & Japan before she returned to the US to work with teacher candidates at the university level. At CSC, Jesse works with charter schools to create compelling content that showcases their unique qualities and appeals to prospective families. Her skills in crafting engaging blogs, social media posts, brochures, and video scripts are vital in creating effective marketing materials.

Beyond her work, Jesse loves baking, reading and cross-country skiing with her husband and 3 kids. In the summer, she can usually be found outside, in her garden, on a bicycle trail, or just soaking up the sun.

After graduating with BA/HONS in History from Richmond University in London, Jen spent a decade in the nonprofit sector overseeing Salesforce, program development, and operational growth.

As a multi-certified Salesforce Administrator, Jen is a strong advocate for a people-first workforce and holds that central to her management of CSC’s Salesforce platform and process improvement projects.

While Jen enjoys travel, archery, concerts, her pets, and escape rooms, she really lives for any chance to hop on her motorcycle and hit the road (or off-road).

Jen is a dynamic member of CSC’s Facilities Financing department. With extensive background in commercial real estate—everything from property management to capital markets —her work as an acquisitions associate helps CSC get schools into their forever homes. Jen finds meaning in using her passion for real estate to create a sustainable future for students and schools.

Jen loves traveling, whether it be to a new city, state or country. While earning her degree in finance, she even spent a summer in Tianjin, China doing market research. She also loves photography and breakfast foods—on the weekends you can find her trying new local brunch spots!

With a background in marketing and recruitment, Joanna worked for study-abroad companies and helped US students select educational and short-term work opportunities abroad. She was the US representative for a program based in Florence, Italy, which led her to live in Italy for eight years. Joanna’s passion for charter schools began when she lived in Brooklyn, NY, and decided to enroll her kindergartner in a startup charter school. She saw the benefits of a classics-based curriculum, diverse community, and innovative environment firsthand and happily volunteered in recruitment, marketing, and fundraising committees. As a Project Manager on the Enrollment Marketing Team at Charter School Capital, Joanna is thrilled to be a part of helping families find the right fit for their children.

Originally from Maine, Joanna has spent most of her life on the East Coast and has lived in various cities since college. She now lives in a historic home in Connecticut where she enjoys antiquing, cooking, foraging, hiking, and growing a stunning array of flowers.

Joanne has always loved numbers. Her enjoyment of accounting courses in college led to her earning her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Washington State University, and she went on to earn her Master of Professional Accounting from Eastern Washington University. Her experience and expertise include financial statement reporting, AP, process improvements, and strong knowledge of GAAP & accrual-based accounting. At CSC, Joanne works with the Finance and Accounting team as Senior Accounting Manager. She was drawn to the mission and vision of CSC and working with other passionate people towards a common goal: helping charter schools get where they’re going.

Joanne is proud of her identity as a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines. She can be found eating sushi, traveling with her husband and three kids (all boys), taking her Boxer pup to the park, and going to music festivals.

Jon serves schools by guiding them through their financial decisions, working with school leaders to ensure they are making the best choices to achieve their goals. A graduate of Bethel University with a Bachelor’s in Accounting, Jon has more than 30 years of experience in financial services. With a keen understanding of revenue, risk, and growth management, Jon enjoys solving problems alongside school leaders. He is passionate about helping schools find and buy their forever homes.

Jon is a proud parent to two grown children. He and his wife live in Charlotte, NC with their English Retriever.

Julia, an Oregon native, headed east for college, where she earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Notre Dame and her Juris Doctorate from Duke University. After working as a real estate finance attorney at a prominent New York law firm and as in-house counsel at a real estate developer managing New York City-owned property in Brooklyn, she joined Charter School Capital.

Julia works with the legal team to provide the best possible service to schools. She currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two children. Her hobbies include cooking, trail running with her rescue pup, and passing along her love of downhill skiing to her kids.

Kaelia believes all kids should have access to quality education—a belief that inspires her work as at CSC every day. Kaelia studied journalism at Linfield University, where she went on to serve students as an admissions counselor and diversity coordinator. As Senior Inside Sales Representative on the Client Services Team, Kaelia serves charter leaders by connecting them to the resources they need to create thriving schools.

Kaelia lives in Oregon where she enjoys all the beautiful hikes, lakes, and running trails that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Kaelia loves running, traveling, cooking, trying new foods, and meeting new people.

Karen Shih is a project manager and tech lead on the Enrollment Marketing team. She splits her time between collaborating with school leaders to grow enrollment and providing technical consulting. When working with school leaders, Karen gets excited about collaborating to find creative ways to highlight the fantastic things going on at their schools.

Karen attended The Ohio State University, where she studied Information Systems. During her time at university, Karen built her first website for a student organization, which sparked her interest in web design. After graduating, Karen spent over a decade working at Procter & Gamble in various IT management roles. She has also volunteered extensively at her children’s schools in Portland and overseas while doing freelance web design work.

Outside of work, Karen enjoys traveling, attending live music events, trying out new recipes, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Kelly supports the legal team to provide the best possible service to schools. She studied education at Northern Illinois University and went on to pursue her paralegal certification. After 13 years working within a law firm in Portland, Kelly found her way to Charter School Capital.

Kelly enjoys baking and reading, but spends most of her “downtime” managing her family’s busy schedule of sports and school activities. Kelly grew up in Rockford, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, and is a devoted Cubs fan.

Laura Paisley Beck is a Content Creator on the Enrollment Marketing team with a passion for education and social justice. She holds a degree in English and Environmental Science from Carroll University, where she gained valuable experience in writing and public relations. During her time in college, Laura was a leader in several college clubs, including the mentorship program Big Brothers Big Sisters. She also studied abroad in Kenya and went on a 9-week choir tour through Europe, where she interviewed strangers about their languages for an independent study in Social Economy. These experiences taught Laura the importance of understanding and helping people, especially those who are marginalized.

As a Content Creator, Laura uses her exceptional writing skills to showcase the mission and vision of the charter schools. She loves highlighting the passionate educators, students, and alumni who make the schools unique.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her dog and going on long walks. She is an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, tent camping, kayaking, and sailing, and she is currently learning Portuguese.

Lauren loves spreadsheets and tracking data. She joined the CSC Finance & Accounting team with 12 years of accounting experience, including property management of commercial real estate, residential multi-family buildings, and assisted living communities. She is continually excited by working for a purpose-driven organization like CSC.

Lauren grew up in Virginia and has lived in a few states, but after she married her husband in 2010, they went on a year-long road trip around the country, staying the longest in Oregon. After several trips back to Portland, OR they decided to take the leap and move across the country in 2014. She and her husband love to travel and they have been to all states except Alaska, as well as Canada and Mexico. They have 2 Rhodesian Ridgeback fur-kids that they love dearly. Lauren’s favorite hobby is doing agility with her dogs—one is currently the #2 agility Ridgeback in the country!

Liz Overson graduated from The University of Rhode Island with a degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies (now known as Gender Studies). With over 25 years of marketing experience in Boston, San Francisco, and Portland, Liz has led cross-matrix teams, managed international projects in Europe and Asia, and supported educators and families across the US for the last 14 years.

Liz joined CSC four years ago and currently leads the Content Strategy team. Her days are spent collaborating on content best practices, being an internal stakeholder for content deliverables, and—best days of all—meeting with new and beloved school leaders.

Liz is a busy mom of twin boys and a puppy. She is happiest hiking on the Oregon coast, enjoying a delicious dinner cooked by her husband, or reading books from her bedside table stack.

As Managing Director, International, Luke leads the growth of Charter School Capital (CSC) beyond the US. As Nelson Mandela says, “Education is the greatest weapon we have to change the world”, and with the International growth of CSC, we have the unique opportunity to affect education on a global scale. This opportunity excites Luke immensely.

Luke holds degrees in Corporate Finance and Real Estate Investment and is an active member of the World Affairs Council. Over the last 10 years, he lead education projects in Africa and hopes to spend the next 10 years growing educational programs with CSC in many more countries. The positive impact we can have on the world through education is an exciting and humbling prospect.

As an avid world traveler, he is lucky enough to have visited over 65 countries around the world. Without a doubt, Luke says the greatest education he had in his life comes from learnings drawn from the places he visits and the people he meets along the way. As he says, “It’s a great big world out there!”

Mara Winke is a writer on the EM team at Charter School Capital, where she enjoys helping charter schools grow and thrive. With an MBA in Nonprofit Management and over 20 years of experience in writing and fundraising, Mara is driven by her passion for tuition-free, academically excellent K-12 education. On weekends, she can be found running or reading.

Maddy is a Portland native. She studied international business at the University of Oregon and began her career as a broker in commercial real estate. She has a strong background in industrial real estate, including property management, leasing, acquisitions, and development. As an integral part of CSC’s Operations team, Maddy establishes relationships with brokers that can help CSC get schools into their forever homes. She works to streamline process surrounding real estate transactions and loves the fast-paced nature of the industry.

In her free time, you can find Maddy next to a river, lake, or the ocean in her home state of Oregon.

In her role as Marketing Coordinator, Makena makes pathways for CSC and schools to connect, both online and in-person at nationwide conferences. She holds a B.S in Marketing from Portland State University, where she also gained experience as a peer advisor. After seeing how the right support could help students achieve their goals, she sought a career path that would align her skills with her value of quality education.

Makena is originally from California, but is an avid traveler. She has had the privilege of visiting over 25 countries so far and hopes to add to that number very soon. When she’s not on the road, Makena spends most of her time with her cats, listening to music, or reading.

Marin serves as CSC’s branding copywriter, wordsmith, and editor. Marin came to CSC with a background in education, having taught English overseas and stateside for both public and private schools. After earning her Master’s in English from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Marin taught university-level writing, reasoning, and rhetoric for six years. Her role as copywriter at CSC weds her love of the written word with her belief in working for quality education for all kids. Marin helps school leaders get where they are going by writing plainspoken copy and guiding values-driven branding efforts.

Marin has published poetry, magazine pieces, personal essays, and scholarly articles. She raises chickens, loves the outdoors, running, gardening, birding, baking, and exploring her home in the Columbia River Gorge with her husband and two kids.

With her wealth of experience and expertise in real estate, Mary is dedicated to providing exceptional service and value to schools. Mary has followed in her father’s footsteps and built her entire career in the field of real estate—she embarked on this path after completing her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance (Commerce) at the University College Dublin, specializing in development and asset services.

In her free time, Mary enjoys attending soccer games, lacrosse games, and cheering from the sidelines at her children’s basketball games. Mary is originally from Ireland and now lives in Portland, OR with her husband and two boys. She her family share a love for travel and the great outdoors, taking advantage of the beautiful Portland summers—which remind them of their home country, with the added bonus of sunshine.

As Real Estate Underwriting Manager at CSC, Meagan plays a key role in providing financial solutions that enable schools to find their forever homes. Prior to joining CSC, she worked in commercial banking for 16 years, serving as a loan analyst and underwriter, special assets officer, commercial lender, and portfolio manager, with a focus on commercial real estate and commercial lending and loans. She is passionate about contributing to the success of students and takes pride in working at CSC.

When not at work, Meagan enjoys spending time outdoors near a body of water, swimming, fishing, floating around the river, and boating. She also loves attending concerts and sporting events, but her favorite activity is spending time with her family, which includes her husband, two young daughters, her mini-Schnauzer, Bingo, and a mini-Aussie, Jacob.

Megan is a Project Manager on the Enrollment Marketing team. With an extensive background in experiential marketing and events, Megan has built experiences and campaigns for clients in a variety of sectors including nonprofit, corporate, retail, media, sports, and travel. As a PM at CSC, Megan puts emphasis on the value of word-of-mouth marketing and continuously encourages schools to get out into their communities and talk to prospective parents. Megan loves the strategic component of her role, figuring out the best tactics for each unique school she supports. Working directly with school leaders is by far her favorite part of the job—she has many stories of the dedication and hard work of school leaders!

As a mom of two girls, Megan understands the value in finding the “right fit” school for a child. After years of volunteering at her kids’ schools, she is thrilled to have found her way to CSC, where she can directly support schools by helping them share their stories and increase enrollment. Outside of work you can find Megan on the tennis court, exploring the outdoors, engrossed in all things design, and spending time with family, friends and her dog, Pony. She recently joined the Portland Backpack Committee, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving children at risk of hunger.

Michael Soh helps schools expand and improve their facilities. Along with a degree from USC in Civil Engineering, Michael has nearly a decade of experience—having managed projects in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. He has expertise in mixed-use, multifamily, office, and commercial projects, allowing him to support schools through ground-up construction, building and space improvements, and redevelopment initiatives.

Michael enjoys hiking with his dogs, skiing, biking, and traveling.

Michelle comes to CSC with over 15 years of leadership and management experience across diverse industries—including customer service, operations management, and administrative support. As Executive Assistant/Office Manager at CSC, Michelle fosters a positive work culture that extends to the CSC team and the charter schools we serve.

Michelle lives in the Pacific Northwest and loves outdoor activities like hiking and paddleboarding. She is a proud mother to four daughters and a doting grandmother to two grandchildren.

Miesha Ander supports charter schools as a Project Manager for the Enrollment Marketing team at CSC. She is a seasoned graphic designer, integrated marketing expert, and brand strategist. She earned her BA in French from Colgate University and a post-grad degree in Graphic Design from Pratt Institute. She brings over 20 years of experience to CSC, having collaborated with both large and small brands on award-winning projects.

With two young daughters, Miesha is passionate about educational opportunities for youth. She once developed and launched an innovative, mobile afterschool French immersion program for K-2 to help fill the early foreign language learning gap in her local county. With Selma, AL roots by way of Cleveland, OH, Miesha’s rich family history— including her mom’s personal experience with school desegregation during the Civil Rights movement— serves as inspiration for her entrepreneurial spirit and advocacy for educational opportunities for youth. Outside of work, Miesha enjoys traveling with her family, gardening, karaoke, and bonding with animals.

Hailing from a small town in Wyoming, Nancy attended the University of Utah, where she received a B.S. in Accounting, a Masters in Professional Accountancy, and a Juris Doctorate. Prior to joining Charter School Capital in her role as Assistant General Counsel, she worked in both the private and public sectors with extensive experience in the areas of public finance, structured finance, commercial finance, corporate finance, and real estate.

In her spare time, Nancy enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and their one-eyed cat. Like many of Charter School Capital’s employees, Nancy is excited to be a part of a growing organization where she has a true voice in charting the company’s path going forward

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Paul holds the position of Real Estate Underwriting Manager at CSC, where he works on the Underwriting and Facilities teams. Paul’s responsibilities at CSC include underwriting deals that are under contract and conducting due diligence for those deals. He is passionate about utilizing his skills to help provide nourishing learning environments for kids.

Paul graduated from Portland State University School of Business with a BS in Real Estate Finance and has accumulated over 11 years of experience in various roles within the Real Estate industry. These roles included property tax appeals, property management, mortgage loan originations, acquisitions & due diligence, and financial analysis on the brokerage side.

In his free time, Paul enjoys sightseeing and hiking with his wife. They are also expecting their first child and have three cats. Fun fact: Paul also played drums in a Pop Punk band called Jet Force Gemini.

Rich serves schools by working to meet their individual, unique financial needs. He holds an MBA from The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and a BS in Business Administration from Northeastern University. As Director of Corporate Finance at CSC, Rich applies his skills as a Chartered Financial Analyst and background in investment management to help schools get where they’re going.

Outside of work, Rich loves trying to perfect his sourdough bread recipe, exploring the outdoors, and sipping on Pacific Northwest wines. Originally from Boston, Rich now lives in Bend, Oregon.

Robert graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Accounting and minor in Spanish. His prior experience is in financial consulting with a focus on securities/institutional litigations and valuations. At CSC, Robert serves as Sr. Corporate Financial Analyst on the Finance & Accounting team. He loves working for an organization with such a great purpose and vision.

Outside of work, you’ll find Robert playing league tennis or jamming on his guitar.

As a leading member of the Client Services Team, Ryan finds great purpose in creating new and lasting relationships with schools. Inclusion, building community, and equity are Ryan’s driving principles, which he puts into practice in service to schools daily. He is dedicated to understanding the challenges school leaders face and providing solutions that align with each of their visions.

Ryan is also driven by the values of teamwork and personal responsibility, having grown up playing varsity football and other sports. He now serves as a youth and high school athletics coach, paying forward the dedication and support he received as a young athlete. Ryan also serves on the Facilities Committee of Friendly House, a local community center and social service agency. Outside of work and volunteering, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, two dogs, and three goats.

As a content strategist, Sally LeBaron has the privilege of showcasing schools that provide kids a great education. Ever a proponent of innovative and creative school programs, Sally has held several educational roles throughout her professional career: she taught English and violin to first through sixth graders in Japan; introduced Hawaiian heritage, flora, and fauna to children on the North Shore of Oahu; educated all ages on art history and culture as a docent at the Portland Art Museum; and instructed a diverse group of interpreters on court etiquette while working for the Oregon Judicial Department. Sally also brings her perspective as a parent of two elementary school-aged boys, which has helped her understand the challenges involved in finding the right educational institution for a child.

Sally relishes the little things in life, such as playing Wordle, romps with her border collie, and reading at least a couple pages of a book before dozing off at the end of a long, full day.

Sarah Scheel loves helping people share their stories. She studied Journalism at the University of Oregon with an emphasis on Public Relations, and now serves schools as Project Manager on the Enrollment Marketing team at CSC. Sarah builds relationships with school leaders and helps schools succeed—she loves putting proven and creative strategies to work to help schools grow full, thriving classrooms.

When not working, Sarah can usually be found outside—hiking, camping or spending time with her kids. She also loves to cook and travel.

Born and raised in the Central Valley in California, Samantha received her degree in Computer Science from Solano Community College before deciding to move to Portland. She has been in Oregon for almost ten years, enjoying the lush wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.

After moving to Portland, Samantha was trained in mortuary sciences, working with families to prepare their loved ones for a final goodbye. Before joining CSC, she worked at a law firm servicing clients throughout the state with their family law and criminal cases. This experience helping families in the system opened her eyes to the lack of resources available to her community. She is excited to use her background to implement educational opportunities for children as special and unique as they are.

Samantha enjoys exploring Portland’s brunch scene, thrift shopping, and reading as much as possible when she’s not busy drafting documents.

Selena applies her strong background in accounting to her work for CSC—she is an important member of the team that tracks all the details and ensures that processes run smoothly. Selena is responsible for monitoring daily general ledger activity, maintaining the organization’s fixed asset records, and assisting with the monthly close process. She is committed to making a positive difference in education, which is what she appreciates about her work at CSC.

Originally from the deserts of Southern California, Selena fell in love with the Pacific Northwest after moving to Oregon in 1999. She attended George Fox University, where she studied Business, relishing the small school atmosphere where professors remembered her years after graduation. Outside of work, Selena loves spending time with her family, cooking up a big meal, hitting the trail, and working on her 1890s home rehab project. Although she is not the best gardener, she enjoys tending to her plants and watching them grow.

Seth is the Director of Information Technology at CSC. He manages and directs the company’s information technology vision, strategy, and operations.  Seth earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Colorado College, with a focus on archaeology and minors in Religion and Italian.  Seth went on to work on an excavation site outside of Rome and later in the American Southwest.

At CSC, Seth finds meaning in driving deeper technology adoption and integration, which further empowers all CSC staff to excel at supporting charter schools. Seth is also a large-scale collaborative sculpture artist, focusing on community-based interactive art, with the goal of inspiring people to design, create and build art projects of all sizes.

Siva Gajula graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Business Administration concentrating in Finance and Business Analytics. As a financial analyst at CSC, Siva spends his time analyzing complex and multi-faceted real estate transactions related to getting schools into their forever homes. What excites him about this role is that there are always opportunities to sort through complex financial challenges and develop creative solutions for schools.

Outside of work, Siva follows basketball, football, and European soccer. And while he doesn’t have a favorite basketball or football team, his favorite soccer team is Chelsea. He also spends time adding to his sneaker collection.

Slava is a Salesforce Developer at Charter School Capital, where he specializes in APEX programming and declarative development across the company’s operations. A first-generation college student, Slava earned his Ph.D. in Physics and Math at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in St. Petersburg, Russia. Slava has worked in the AEC industry for over 10 years, developing software solutions to streamline workflows. Slava’s role at CSC allows him to leverage his understanding of data flow to build effective automation.

In his free time, Slava enjoys working with horses. He volunteers at one of the largest horse rescue ranches in the Phoenix area. Outside of work, you can find Slava on a horseback or at a local rodeo.

Stephanie Welsh is a Project Manager and Team Lead for the Enrollment Marketing team. Stephanie works with schools to build and implement customized enrollment marketing campaigns. She loves the variation of her job, which requires her to do something different every day, as no two schools are alike. Stephanie also enjoys the challenges of working with clients across the US and figuring out the best way to respond to the challenges in each region.

Stephanie graduated from Linfield University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. Since then, whether she’s an employee or volunteer, she’s always managing a project. Her career began at Intel Corporation, where she worked as a project manager before moving into marketing, branding, website development, and corporate communications. While living abroad, Stephanie created programs for integrating new families into the school and community of their new country.

When she’s not working, Stephanie loves to travel, and she has lived abroad in Asia twice with her family of five. She plays tennis, enjoys reading, is a history buff, and is the amateur genealogist of her extended family.

Susan Solomon Yem brings decades of experience to Charter School Capital, where she helps schools define and communicate their mission and vision. She has worked in radio, television, film, and publishing telling stories that resonate with educators, community leaders, and parents.

In addition to working on more than 25 films, Susan has published over 400 articles focused on parenting, education, and women’s issues. In her free time, she enjoys being with family and friends and doting on her granddaughter, Alex.

Tabatha was born and raised in Brazil, where she graduated in Hospitality Management. She took an adventurous step by living in Italy and UK for three years, working in the Hospitality Industry while exploring the multicultural European countries.

Tabatha got married and returned to Brazil, where she got her master’s degree in Business Administration from FGV. After 5 years, the family embraced a new journey and decided to move to USA. Here, she worked on a real estate investment company for three years before joining CSC.

When she’s not working, Tabatha enjoys playing with her kids, meeting her friends and, like a true Brazilian, she enjoys a good barbecue.

Originally from Los Angeles, Tommy earned his degree in business from Boston University. He comes to Charter School Capital with a robust background in Facilities Acquisition, having worked on projects around finance, development, underwriting, construction, and tenant improvement projects.

Tommy lives in California, where he loves to cook, travel, work on cars, and spend time with his wife and kids.

Tony began in the non-profit sector, collaborating to secure funding for STEM education in schools throughout Southern California. His support for educational programs and strong background in business management now informs his work on behalf of charter leaders. Tony is passionate about helping charter schools thrive in their communities and achieve their financial goals.

Tony spends his extra time spending time with his wife, traveling, running half marathons, and playing softball with college friends.