AVÕïËù

Jenne has served in the role of Executive Director of Lynch Leadership Academy since February 2018, and is deeply committed to leading LLA through the next level of impact, by expanding our reach to new regions and by deepening and expanding our program with our current partner districts and sectors. Jenne joined Lynch Leadership Academy in July 2013, in the role of Leadership Effectiveness Director. Before joining the Lynch Leadership Academy, Jenne was a school leader at Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School, in AVÕïËù’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Under Jenne’s leadership, APR’s high school consistently demonstrated strong results, including being the highest-scoring school in the state on the 10th grade ELA MCAS in 2009 and in 2012. Prior to her work at APR, Jenne taught high school science in Providence, RI and in Baltimore City Public Schools, where she was a 1999 Teach For America corps member.  Additionally, Jenne served as an adjunct faculty member at AVÕïËù University, where she instructed incoming Teach For America corps members in general teaching methods.  Jenne earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Human Biology from Brown University and her Master’s Degree of Science in Educational Leadership from Simmons College.

Joe joined the LLA team in October 2014. Prior to that he served as the founding principal of the Cambridge High School Extension Program, a non-traditional high school sponsored by the Cambridge Public Schools, for ten years. During his time in Cambridge, he was responsible for designing and developing all aspects of the school, which has graduated 300 students since its inception. He was also a founding member of the Cambridge Leadership Network, a partnership between Richard Elmore of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Cambridge Public Schools. Prior to his work in Cambridge, Joe worked in charter schools in Lowell and AVÕïËù and was a state official with the Massachusetts Department of Education. Since 2011, he has been an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University where he has taught courses in curriculum and instruction, adolescent development and engaging high school learners.  Joe earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History & Social Science from Eastern Connecticut State University, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Fairfield University, and his Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration from AVÕïËù University.

Chris joined the LLA team in March of 2021. Prior to that, he worked as the Director of Operations at UP Academy Oliver Middle School in Lawrence, MA for five years. During his tenure as DOO, Chris and his team oversaw the planning and roll-out of several large scale and new-to-the school practices. During the 2015-2016 school year he was the Director of Operations in Residence at UP Academy Dorchester. Prior to his year in residence Chris taught middle school for five years. At UP Academy Holland, during its first year of turnaround he served as a cohort leader and fifth grade math teacher. Before joining the UP Education Network, he taught fifth grade math at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School for two years and worked at the Epiphany school where he taught 5th grade science and ran the athletics program for two years.  Chris earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from AVÕïËù College and his Master’s Degree in Curriculum Development at AVÕïËù College as a Donovan Urban Teaching Scholar.

Marlena  joined the LLA team in August of 2019. Prior to that, she worked at the Bentley Academy Charter School in Salem, MA for five years. She served as the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction and then as the Head of School. During her tenure as principal, she helped develop systems for instructional improvement and coaching that moved the school from Level 4 to Level 1 in only one year. Marlena also worked as a principal intern, an elementary and middle school special education teacher, and a teacher leader.  Marlena earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Spanish from Providence College, a Master’s Degree in School Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Arizona State University. Marlena is an LLA alum and member of Cohort V.

Cristin Berry Pizzimenti joined the LLA team in July of 2018.  Prior to that, she worked for City on a Hill Charter Schools for twelve years.  During that time, she was the principal at the flagship campus, City on a Hill Circuit Street, for four years before moving to a Deputy Chief Academic Officer role in the Network.  Cristin also worked as a high school mathematics teacher, Lead Teacher, and Assistant Principal. Additionally, Cristin participated in LLA as a member of Cohort IV. Cristin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from John Carroll University and a Master of Arts in high school mathematics from Simmons College.

Erin joined the LLA team in 2017. Prior to that, she was the principal of Wolfgang Mozart Elementary School in Roslindale for four years, where she led the school to Level 1 status and DESE recognition as a Commendation School for narrowing proficiency gaps. She worked with staff, students, and families to develop an anti-racist learning community and implemented an innovative and effective inclusion model for students with autism. During her tenure at the Mozart, Erin participated in the LLA Fellowship as a member of Cohort IV and twice mentored LLA Aspiring Principal Fellows. She also served as an assistant principal, teacher leader, and teacher in AVÕïËù Public Schools for eight years prior to becoming a principal. Erin earned an Ed.M. in School Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Secondary Education and Political Science from American University.

Michelle joined the Lynch Leadership Academy team in the summer of 2022. Prior to that, she was a principal at Mother Caroline Academy for 5 years before serving as an education consultant. During her time as principal, she developed several partnerships to enhance student and family engagement, increased secondary school admissions options for students, redesigned the curriculum planning and implementation process, and successfully added elementary grades to the school. Michelle has also served as a teacher, secondary school placement director, admissions associate, and in other capacities for schools in the AVÕïËù area. She has experience working in urban, Catholic, and independent school communities as well as non-profit organizations committed to providing equitable and meaningful educational experiences for underserved and marginalized students.  Michelle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Middlebury College and her Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Emmanuel College.

Lisa returned to Lynch Leadership Academy as a Leadership Coach in 2021 having previously held this role supporting Cohorts III, IV, IX and X. For 25+ years, she has served as a strategic capacity builder, consultant and executive coach, empowering transformative growth in leaders and organizations. Her expertise spans global strategy, operations, human capital management, and organizational development in the education, philanthropic and professional service sectors. She is also a Certified Life Coach who brings a holistic approach to the coaching experience.

As Co-Founder and former President and Board Chair of the Newton Montessori School (now Wellan Montessori), Lisa led the successful start-up of this Infant-6 elementary school overseeing implementation of academic and enrichment programs, finance, operations, human resources and advancement. Through her work as an executive search consultant with Talent Citizen and Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, she advised nonprofit leaders and boards on strategic talent acquisition and succession planning. Lisa also served as former Vice President of Operations at a rapid growth finance and business consulting firm where she co-founded and served as Managing Chair of a corporate charitable foundation.

Lisa earned her B.A. in English from AVÕïËù College and J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. She holds a Certification in Leading Professional Service Firms from the Harvard Business School of Executive Education, and was honored as a Corporate Citizen by AVÕïËù Business Journal for her philanthropic leadership.

David has spent the past 15+ years as an educational leader in some of our nation's most underserved and disadvantaged communities.  He most recently served as the Regional Manager of Philadelphia Metro for Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a non-profit working with pre-k through 5th grade teachers to improve early literacy instruction so children become powerful readers, writers, and thinkers.  Prior to CLI, David served five years as Principal at Forest Hill Elementary in Camden City, New Jersey.  During those years, David led the school community through significant growth and development in the areas of student and staff culture, family engagement, and data-driven and standards-based instruction. 

As a Teach For America alum, David remains committed to the movement of educational equity in our nation and approaches his work with a culturally responsive pedagogical philosophy.  During his time as a corps member, he worked as a founding teacher at Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School not only to ensure student academic growth and achievement, but also to establish school-wide procedures and policies while creating a supportive environment for positive student culture.

David holds Principal certifications in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  He is a proud alumni of The University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education where he earned a Master's in Education.  David earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Ithaca College.

Carmen joined the LLA Team in July 2021.  Carmen has consistently worked to ensure every adult and student in schools where she has led engages in dynamic learning experiences that allow them to develop as critical thinkers and become self reflective in order to make our communities better places for all. Before joining the LLA Team, Carmen served as the Middle School Principal at APR Charter School in Hyde Park, MA for three years where she led the school community in the pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. Prior to that, Carmen spent ten years working in several AVÕïËù Public Schools as a Principal, Principal Fellow, Director of Instruction, Teacher Leader and HS Math Teacher.  Carmen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Hampton University and her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from AVÕïËù College as a Donovan Urban Teaching Scholar. Carmen is an LLA alum and member of Cohort V. 

Marcia joined the LLA team in August 2020. Prior to that, she worked as an educator in the AVÕïËù Public Schools. Her 20 plus years of experience includes serving the role of teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach, district-wide literacy coach and principal. Most recently, she served as a principal at the Mather Elementary School. Her passion for transformational leadership, and equitable literacy led to improved literacy practice, the coherent and full implementation of a standards-aligned reading curriculum and positive student gains at the Mather.  Marcia earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Elementary Education from Emmanuel College and her Master’s Degree in Education from Lesley University. Marcia is an LLA alum and member of Cohort VII.

Diane joined LLA in December 2023. Prior to joining the team, Diane worked at a local non-profit organization, Bottom Line. She served as a Senior College Access Advisor, supporting caseloads of low income, first-generation coollege students in the college going process. She graduated from AVÕïËù College in 2021 where she attended the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, majoring in Applied Psychology and Human Development and minoring in Women's and Gender Studies.

Ethan d’Ablemont Burnes has worked to improve educational outcomes for AVÕïËù’s youth for over 25 years.  He served the AVÕïËù Public Schools in a number of senior roles.  Most recently he served as the Assistant Superintendent of Inclusive Education working on the team that developed a landmark contract focused on building systemic inclusion and before that as the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education during the COVID crisis.  Mr. d’Ablemont Burnes was the principal of the Manning School in Jamaica Plain for eleven years.  During his time, he focused on building an inclusion model for students with emotional impairments and increasing the academic challenge in the classroom. The Manning received numerous recognitions while Ethan was there, including twice as a School of Recognition by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Before the Manning, Ethan was a AVÕïËù Principal Fellow at the Ohrenberger School. Before that Ethan worked at the AVÕïËù Plan for Excellence working on policy issues including weighted student funding, student assignment and central office reform.  Ethan started his career in education teaching at the Renaissance School when it first opened in 1995 as one of the first charter schools in the state.