our story
CER’S EFFORTS & IMPACTOVER THE YEARS
our mission
To expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans—particularly our youth—ensuring that the conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom & flexibility throughout U.S. education.
Our work
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN POLICY & PRACTICE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
The first organization of its kind—now well into its fourth decade—the Center for Education Reform continues to fight this all-important fight, boldly leading the charge on the street, into town halls, up the Capitol steps, and across its aisles. Every day, we put our experience, our network, our assets, and our passion to work for the cause.
EDUCATION ISN’T THE END GOAL—IT’S THE CATALYST FOR HAPPINESS & ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
Our vision foresees a nation that enables broad and lasting quality educational opportunities that secure the freedom and future prosperity of all citizens.
Whether we’re steering media outreach to generate publicity, producing events in pivotal markets, interfacing with lawmakers, or connecting innovators and their products with investors and schools to accelerate their impact, our focus is on driving the best opportunities and outcomes for kids, families, lifelong learners, communities, and our great nation.
Our Leadership
Meet our Team and Valued Partners
Jeanne Allen
Founder & CEO
Jeanne Allen founded the Center for Education Reform (CER) over three decades ago to restore excellence to education, and built it into the nation’s leading advocate for innovation and opportunity in education. CER pioneered dozens of laws providing parents with choice and launched a nationwide movement that energized millions to engage in the fight.
Michael Moe
Chairman
Michael Moe is Founder and CEO of GSV, an investment platform backing game-changing education and tech companies. He co-founded the ASU+GSV Summit and serves on several boards. With deep Wall Street roots, Moe is a thought leader in digital learning and author of three books, including Finding the Next Starbucks.
Maggie Fresen Zulueta
Treasurer
Maggie Fresen Zulueta is Co-Founder and EVP of Academica, serving 200,000 students globally. A charter school pioneer, she chairs Amigos for Kids and has earned awards for her advocacy. Maggie also serves on multiple educational boards and remains deeply involved in schools her children attend in Coral Gables, Florida.
Chris Whittle
Board Member
Chris Whittle is a pioneering education entrepreneur who founded five ventures employing 8,000+ people. From launching Channel One and co-founding Avenues: The World School to leading America’s early charter movement, he’s driven innovation globally. Today, he serves as Executive Chairman of Baret Scholars, his latest visionary effort.
Senior Leaders
Caroline Allen
Chief Program Officer
An accomplished educator and school leader, Caroline oversees all strategic and program initiatives, including the Yass Prize, now in its 5th year, for which she was the founding director.
Caroline Casagrande
Chief External Affairs Officer
Bringing her experience as a New Jersey state lawmaker, attorney and former Deputy Assistant Secretary at the State Department to CER, Caroline leads external relations, policy and communications.
Alex Audet
Director of Data and Technology
From the classroom to the American Enterprise Institute where he built data systems, Alex brings a rare blend of frontline experience and technical acumen to his work driving impact for learners at all levels.
Michael Musante
Senior Advisor
A veteran team member and former CER Executive Vice President before turning his focus to advancing education opportunity in the District of Columbia, Michael brings passion, keen insights and humor to the work.
Jonathan Oglesby
Senior Director of Communications
Working to amplify the organization’s message, program, and initiatives, Jonathan has led public relations and communications for several education companies and organizations, including HMH and iNACOL.
Josphina Rago
Senior Partnership Director
Josephina oversees our national network of Yass Prize and STOP awardees. Before joining CER, she gained experience as an AmeriCorps teaching assistant in the South Bronx and as a special education teacher.
Impact Fellows
Patricia A. Brantley
Patricia A. Brantley is CEO of Friendship Public Charter School, a 2021 Yass Prize Semifinalist serving Pre-K3–12 students. Under her leadership, Friendship grew from 2 to 15 campuses, including online. A charter advocate, she also led a critical school takeover, ensuring continued access for hundreds of D.C. students.
Cris Gulacy-Worrel
Cris Gulacy-Worrel is VP at Oakmont Education, where she leads career-focused dropout recovery schools combining academics with hands-on training. A 2022 Yass Prize Finalist, she also chairs the Freedom Coalition for Charter Schools and advises on Ohio education policy through state task forces and public service roles.
Elias Pappas
Elias Pappas, CEO of Odyssey Charter School and 2023 Yass Prize Finalist, champions servant leadership and equity in education. He led Odyssey to become Delaware’s second-largest charter, launched programs addressing food insecurity, and maintains 100% graduation and college acceptance rates through innovative, student-centered strategies.
Donate Today To Expand Innovation & Opportunity In American Education
The DOnors who made it all possible
The Achelis and Bodman Foundations
Mr. Howard Ahmanson
America’s Charter School Finance Corporation
The Anschutz Foundation
The Apgar Foundation
The Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Bakke
Mr. Tim Barton
Mr. Brian Bauer
The Honorable and Mrs. Frank Baxter
The BelleJAR Foundation
Mr. Peter Bennett
The Blackie Foundation
The Bonsal Family
The late David and Ann Amer Brennan
Ms. Katherine Brittain Bradley
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Mr. Eric Brooks
Mr. S. Joseph Bruno and Building Hope
Mr. B.J. Cassin
Challenge Foundation
Mr. Kevin Chavous
Ms. Kara Cheseby
Citybridge Foundation
Margaret and James Costan
The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation
Mr. Ravenel Curry III
The Daniels Fund
Mr. Angus Davis
Mr. Kenneth Davis
Anthony and Christie DeNicola
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Devereux
Mr. Philip H. Dietrich
The late Mr. Pete DuPont
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Eakin III
Mr. John C. Eason
Mr. William S. Edgerly
Mr. T. Willard Fair
The Doris and Donald Fisher Fund
Mr. and Mrs. John Fisher
The Foulke Foundation
The Friess Family Foundation
Mr. Robert W. Garthwait
Mr. Randy P. Gaschler
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Mr. Philip E. Geiger
The Gleason Family Foundation
Dr. Charles J. Gorman
Mr. Jon Hage/Charter Schools USA
Mr. John P. Hansel
Mr. Reed Hastings
Admiral Thomas B. Hayward
The Honorable Thomas J. Healey
The Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation
The Christopher and Adrianna Henkels Charitable Fund
Mr. Donald Hense
Roger and Susan Hertog
Mr. Ken Hirsh
Mr. Richard Holson/Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company
Mr. Robert M. Howitt
The Jaquelin Hume Foundation
The late Jerry and Mrs. Patti Hume
Hyde Family Foundation
The JM Foundation
Ms. Virginia James
Bob and Lynn Johnston
The Dodge Jones Foundation
Mr. William I. Jones
Mr. Melvin J. Kaplan
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Mr. Robert D. Kennedy
The Kern Family Foundation
Mr. Norman V. Kinsey
Mr. Steven Klinsky
Charles Koch Foundation
The Kovner Foundation
The Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Foundation
Mr. Byron S. Lamm
Mr. Bob Luddy
Mrs. Maryann Mathile
Mr. Thomas McNamara
Mr. Anthony Meyer
The L & S Milken Family Foundation
The late Greg and Pam Miller
Mr. Michael Moe
Mr. and Mrs. Owen Moen
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Moore
The National Charter Schools Institute
Mr. Gene E. Nicholson
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Oberndorf
Mr. Dennis Odle
Mrs. Louise Oliver
Dr. Vivian Pan
Dr. Christopher Payne
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Peabody
The Ruth and Lovett Peters Foundation
Pharos Foundation
John William Pope Foundation
The Pumpkin Foundation
Ms. Deborah Quazzo
The Honorable William J. Raggio
Mr. James S. Regan
The late Mr. Joseph H. Reich
Ms. Janice B. Riddell
Roe Foundation
Mr. Geoffrey Rosenberger, CFA
The late Mr. Peter Ruppert
SABIS Educational Systems, Inc.
Michael and Ellen Sandler
Mr. Daniel P. Schmidt
Mr. Carl Schramm and Ms. Ellyn Brown
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
Mr. Adam Shapiro
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Sills
The William E. Simon Foundation
The Paul E. Singer Family Foundation
Ms. Shirley Sontheimer
The Smart Family Foundation
The Honorable H. Cooper Snyder
Mr. and Mrs. William B. Snyder
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation
Mr. John R. Stambaugh
Strada Education Network
Strake Foundation
Stride K12
The John Templeton Foundation
The Veltri Family Foundation
Mr. Whitney Tilson
The Walton Family Foundation
Mr. William Walton
Mr. Robert M. Weekley
The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
The Honorable and Mrs. Ronald Weiser
Mr. Helmut Weymar
Mr. Chris Whittle
Ms. Susan Wolford
Karen Buchwald Wright
Jeff and Janine Yass
Ms. Mary Zaks
Mr. Stephen Zelnak
Ms. Marykay Zimbrick
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