Posted by Nellie Mae Ed. Fdn.
The Nellie Mae Foundation Welcomes Dr. Gisele C. Shorter as the Next President and CEO
Today, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gisele C. Shorter as Nellie Mae Education Foundation’s next President and CEO. Dr. Shorter will work alongside board, staff, and the community to continue advancing the Foundation’s mission of championing efforts that prioritize community goals that challenge racial inequities and advance excellent, student-centered public education that benefits all students.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Shorter to the Foundation. Her commitment to rooting out education inequality makes her the perfect fit to build on the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values and scale what we know works in using a student-centered racial equity lens, to enhance community-driven change. We are confident that Dr. Shorter’s extensive experience advocating for the unique needs of Black and Brown young people and parents in underfunded schools will translate to the continued development in how we address racial equity in the education space in New England.
I personally would like to thank Jessica Spohn and Mike Carey for supporting the Foundation during the President and CEO transition even as they were preparing for retirement. I am very grateful for their leadership and commitment to this important work and wish them well as they prepare for their next chapters.” – Dr. Warren Simmons, Board Chair, Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Before joining the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Dr. Shorter was the Director of National Education Strategy at the Raikes Foundation, where she focused on growing the Foundation’s impact and advancing justice and equity in the national education system by leveraging the science of learning and development. Dr. Shorter has spent the last 15 years leading large-scale and community-based programmatic, research, and policy initiatives to advance justice and equity to ensure BIPOC youth are afforded opportunities and access to excel. Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that an equitable society starts with an equitable education system.
“I am proud to be selected by the Board to lead the next phase of growth and impact at the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and eager to partner with staff and community partners to advance racial justice and educational equity across New England,” said Dr. Gisele C. Shorter.
“In my experience, I’ve found that we can solve some of the most difficult and enduring challenges in our educational system by formulating solutions in partnership with students, educators, and families. I am excited to build on the Foundation’s rich history of investing in community transformation and partnerships that advance schools as places where every young person is accepted, valued, and supported in their learning and development. This is at the heart of what matters to families in every community and state within the region.”
Dr. Shorter received her BA from Amherst College in Political Science, her MPA from LIU Brooklyn, and her Doctor of Education from Columbia University.
Join us in welcoming Dr. Shorter to the Nellie Mae Education Foundation!
-The Nellie Mae Education Foundation Board of Directors