Nine Leaders Across Schools, Data, Families, and Tutoring Continue to Shape Strategy and Impact
Washington, D.C., February 20, 2026 — Now in its fifth year, CitySchools Collaborative (CSC) is proud to announce its 2026 Advisory Group.
The CSC Advisory Group brings together leaders, principals, data and research experts, caregiver advocates, and tutoring providers from across DC, who share CSC’s commitment to a public education system designed to serve and empower all children. This year’s group builds on the work of past advisors who helped challenge early assumptions about high-impact tutoring, shape decisions for early program pilots, and guide the organization through pivotal growth moments that expanded its scope deeper into strategic staffing and Tutor-to-Teacher pipelines.
“This group has shaped our thinking from day one and represents every part of our work,” said Cat Peretti, Executive Director. “They keep us grounded in what students need and sharpen our ability to design programs that work inside of schools.”
Members meet with organizational leadership quarterly to review strategy and provide feedback on key priorities. The 2026 Advisory Group members are:
- Darius Baxter, Chief Engagement Officer, GOODProjects
- Josh Boots, Founder & Executive Director, EmpowerK12
- `Abdu’l-Karim Ewing-Boyd, Director of Strategic Initiatives, PK-12, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education
- Amy Helms, Head of School, DC Scholars PCS
- Dr. Raymond Ivey, Deputy Director of Educator Pathways, Friendship PCS
- Zenobia Judd-Williams, Executive Director, Reading Partners Mid-Atlantic
- Maya Martin Cadogan, Founder & Executive Director, Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE)
- Katrina Owens, Chief Executive Officer, DC SCORES
- Niya White, Principal, Center City PCS – Congress Heights
“We are lucky to have leaders who do this work every day in schools and communities across DC,” said Deidra Bailey, Senior Director of Program Implementation. “They push us to be sharper, more creative, and more strategic. We’re grateful to have them in the room when we’re making decisions that impact student success.”
This year’s Advisory Group is positioned to help CitySchools Collaborative scale high-impact tutoring across DC and beyond, transform how schools design instruction to accelerate student success, and strengthen and diversify DC’s pipeline of future educators in 2026.
Read more about the Advisory Group and 2026 member bios, visit Our Advisory Group.
About CitySchools Collaborative
CitySchools Collaborative catalyzes high-impact tutoring and strategic talent models to serve thousands of students. Its coalition-building approach and innovative solutions improve student well-being, accelerate academic performance, and enhance flexible staffing systems in schools to help create a public education system that serves and empowers all children. To learn more about CitySchools Collaborative, visit cityschoolscollab.org