The Research Alliance for New York City Schools is pleased to welcome three new members to our Steering Committee: Phoebe Boyer, Merrill F. Pond, and Raysa S. Rodriguez.
The Steering Committee plays an important role in shaping the Research Alliance’s work. Members provide guidance on our goals and research agenda, offer feedback on ongoing projects and publications, and bring a range of perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing New York City’s students, schools, and communities.
Chaired by Mark Dunetz, President of New Visions for Public Schools, the Steering Committee has representatives from across K-12 and higher education and the business and nonprofit sectors, including leaders from New York City Public Schools, NYU, the City University of New York, the teacher and administrator unions, charter schools, and various community-based organizations.
Current members are:
- Mark Dunetz, President, New Visions for Public Schools, and Steering Committee Chair
- Kamar H. Samuels, Chancellor, New York City Public Schools
- Jennifer Jones Austin, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, FPWA
- Phoebe Boyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Aid
- Georgina Dopico, Provost, New York University
- Frances Lucerna, Co-Founder and Executive Director, El Puente
- Christine Mangino, President, Queensborough Community College
- James Merriman, Chief Executive Officer, New York City Charter School Center
- Michael Mulgrew, President, United Federation of Teachers
- Merrill F. Pond, Executive Vice President for Research and Policy at the Partnership for New York City
- Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor, The City University of New York
- Raysa S. Rodriguez, Executive Director of Citizens' Committee for Children of New York
- Henry Rubio, President, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators
- Michelle Yanche, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Services
Our newest members bring additional depth to the Steering Committee’s expertise in child and family well-being, workforce development, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy and policy.
Phoebe Boyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Aid, brings decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and advancing opportunities for children, youth, and families across New York City. Previously, she led the Robertson Foundation and Tiger Foundation, overseeing significant investments in education, youth development, workforce training, and social services.
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Merrill F. Pond, Executive Vice President for Research and Policy at the Partnership for New York City, brings expertise in economic development, education, workforce development, and public policy. She oversees research and strategic initiatives focused on New York City's economic future and serves as Co-Chair of the New York City Workforce Development Board and Senior Advisor to the NYC Public Schools Pathways Advisory Council.
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Raysa S. Rodriguez, Executive Director of Citizens' Committee for Children of New York, brings more than two decades of experience in education, housing, child welfare, and economic justice policy. A former Bronx public school teacher, she has held leadership positions at FPWA, WIN, United Way of New York City, and the NYC Mayor's Office, advancing initiatives that support children and families.
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In addition to our Steering Committee, the Research Alliance benefits from the input of a Youth Advisory Council and numerous partners and advisors connected to specific projects. We are grateful to all of them for their time, expertise, and knowledge of New York City’s education system. The engagement of a broad spectrum of stakeholders is critical to the Research Alliance's efforts to produce rigorous, relevant, actionable research on behalf of New York City's students and schools.
Want to know more? Meet the full Steering Committee and read member biographies.