Umoja Staff
Kara Allen Soldati Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Kara Allen Soldati (she/her/hers) serves as Umoja's Chief Executive Officer. MORE >
Cynthia Degand PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SPECIALIST
Cynthia (she/her/hers) has been a consultant with Umoja for 10 years. In that time, she's done curriculum writing, implementing advisory programs and facilitating professional development. MORE >
Megan Delaney Restorative Justice Manager | Site: Morgan Park HS & Academic Center
Meg (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in 2015 and has spent 10+ years working in schools and education. MORE >
Brandon Fielder Restorative Justice Specialist | Site: North Chicago HS
Brandon (he/him/his) joined Umoja in August 2018 as a Restorative Justice Specialist. MORE >
Agustin Flores Restorative Justice Specialist | Site: Gage Park HS
Agustin is a Restorative Justice Specialist with Umoja. MORE >
Stacy Fox Sr. Restorative Justice Specialist | Site: Ogden-Jenner MS | Program Development Fellow
Stacy (they/them/theirs) joined the Umoja team in July 2018 as a Senior Restorative Justice Specialist. MORE >
Tom Golebiewski Restorative Justice Manager | Sites: Lincoln Park HS & Sullivan HS
Tom (he/him/his) joined Umoja in August 2016, and has over 15 years of experience working in a variety of educational settings. MORE >
George Jackson Sr. Restorative Justice Specialist | Sites: Al Raby HS & Tilden HS
George (he/him/his) joined the Umoja team in August 2016. MORE >
AJ Johnson-Garrett Social Emotional Learning Specialist | Site: Gage Park HS
AJ (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in January 2018. MORE >
Badhaftu Kadir Social Emotional Learning Specialist | Site: Wells Community Academy HS | Marketing Fellow
Badhaftu (she/her/hers) joined the Umoja team in January 2018. MORE >
Elizabeth Kesner Director of People & Operations
Elizabeth Kesner (she/her/hers) serves as Umoja's Director of People & Operations. MORE >
Maggie Lopez Social Emotional Learning Specialist | Site: Sullivan HS
Maggie (she/her/hers)joined the Umoja team in August 2018. MORE >
JoAnn Lulla Evaluation Specialist
JoAnn (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in October 2019 as an Evaluation Specialist. In this role, she provides data management & analysis support for the organization’s diverse suite of school-based programs. MORE >
Tenesha McDaniel Restorative Justice Senior Specialist | Site: Englewood STEM High School
Tenesha (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in January 2020 as a Restorative Justice Senior Specialist. MORE >
Tim McEachran Social Emotional Learning Specialist | Site: Mather HS
Tim (he/him/his) joined Umoja in August 2018 after four years as a classroom teacher. He works at Mather High School supporting Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior Seminar. MORE >
Asher Miller Sr. Restorative Justice Specialist | Site: Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy
Asher (he/him/his) joined Umoja in August 2016. He has always had a commitment to education with a particular focus on students impacted by inequitable educational conditions. MORE >
Katina Monzon Director of Finance and Administration
Katina (she/her/hers) joined the Umoja in 2007. MORE >
Kristin Moore Director, Embedded Programs | Site: Englewood STEM High School | Organizational Leadership Fellow
Kristin (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in August 2017. MORE >
Sonjanita Moore Social Emotional Learning Manager | Lead, Content Development | Site: Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy
Sonjanita (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in January 2015. MORE >
Allyna Mota Melville Partnerships Associate
Allyna (she/her/hers) joined the Umoja in July 2019 through Northwestern's Public Interest Program fellowship. MORE >
Rachel Parnell Social Emotional Learning Manager | Sites: Curie Metropolitan High School & Englewood STEM High School | Equity Fellow
Rachel (she/her/hers) joined the Umoja team in July 2014 MORE >
Tamara Polingo Restorative Justice Specialist | Site: Ogden HS
Tammi (she/her/hers) has worked with Umoja since July 2018. MORE >
Kathryn Rayford Professional Learning Manager
Kathryn (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in September 2018. MORE >
Lacherie Reed Professional Learning Manager | Program Development Fellow
Lacherie (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in July of 2018. MORE >
Victoria Smith Ellison Sr. Restorative Justice Specialist | Site: Marshall High School | People & Operations Fellow
Victoria (she/her/hers) joined Umoja in July of 2017. MORE >
Jacare Thomas Chief of Growth & Innovation
Jacare (he/him/his) serves as Umoja's Chief of Growth & Innovation. MORE >
Rosa Zamora Director, Strategic Partnerships
Rosa (she/her/hers) joined the Umoja team in 2017. MORE >