BELMONT CHARTER NETWORK - Key Persons

Adia Hagans-Paige - CHRO

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HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

Adia joined Belmont Charter Network in 2018 and comes with over 10 years of experience in Human Resources management. She has worked at several nonprofits including charter schools in the area, as well as the Caring People Alliance and The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Most recently, she was with KIPP Philadelphia Schools. Adia has a degree in computer software with a major in human resources. She became a certified Senior HR Professional in 2016. Adia manages the entire human resources department along with a team of four people. Adia also oversees Belmont Charter Network's new teacher pipeline programs, which support individuals entering the field, as well as those who are working to complete their bachelor's degrees. Adia has a passion for working in nonprofits that service children throughout Philadelphia. Adia is married with 5 children and lives in Philadelphia. In her spare time she loves to cook, work out and spend quality time with her family and friends.

Alejandro Baldwin

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Member of the School Leadership Team
TIGER Program Director

Alex Tin

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DIRECTOR of TECHNOLOGY
Member of the Operations Leadership Team

Alice Gibbs

al..@belmontcharternetwork.org

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Member of the Belmont Charter School Board

Amy Leigh

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Director of Data

Avery Thornburg

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BCS OST Director

Beth Dyson

be..@belmontcharternetwork.org

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CHIEF of STAFF

Bob Szybist

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Director of Positive Education

Brittany Calhoun

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BACS OST Director

Christine Gullotti

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Director of Coaching & Development

Claire Cohen

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Member of the School Leadership Team
ICS Head of School

Denise Metz

de..@belmontcharternetwork.org

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HEAD of ACADEMICS
Managing Director of Academics

Denise Metz is a career educator with over 20 years of experience in education in Philadelphia. In 2009, she joined the Belmont Charter Network family as a first grade teacher before becoming the Director of the Lower School, then later the Director of Instruction at Belmont Elementary. She is now Head of Academics for the Network. One of her proudest moments was watching her very first class at Belmont become the first graduating class from BCHS in 2021! Denise holds an MA in English Literature from Georgetown University, MS Ed from St. Joseph's University and a BA from Fordham University. Denise has three children, all of whom attended Belmont Academy and Inquiry Charter School. When she is not at Belmont, Denise can be found walking in the Wissahickon with her family, drinking coffee in a bookstore, and playing video games. Denise knows that every moment with a child is an opportunity for growth, learning, conversation, and connection. She is thankful to the families and students of Belmont for all of the shared moments and opportunities.

Dominque Reiff

do..@belmontcharternetwork.org

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Member of the Belmont Charter School Board

Dwayne Wiggins

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BCHS OST Director

Elizabeth Preate-Havey

el..@belmontcharternetwork.org

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Member of the Inquiry Charter School Board

Jane Lawson

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Managing Director of OST

Jennifer C. Faustman - CEO

je..@belmontcharternetwork.org

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Chief Executive Officer

Jennifer believes that every child deserves the opportunity and foundation that a great education provides, and she is dedicated to giving them this chance. As the founding Executive Director of the Community Education Alliance of West Philadelphia in 2003, Jennifer established an organization committed to changing the trajectory of children's lives by offering a rich variety of school-based social service programs that work in tandem with the Belmont and Belmont Academy Charter (now known as Inquiry Charter School) schools. Under her leadership, the organization's operating budget grew to $2 million and she developed a range of holistic school-based programs including Family Support Services, Head Start, and Out-of-School time programming. Jennifer's role was expanded to Chief Executive Officer for both the Belmont and (now) Inquiry Charter Schools in 2006. Jennifer manages an organization of over 250 employees, overseeing an operating budget of approximately $30 million. Jennifer graduated with a bachelor's degree in labor and industrial relations from Penn State University in 1998. She went on to work in human resources and investor relations in the financial services industry prior to committing her career to the nonprofit world. Jennifer has two children in grade school. When she is not working, she can be found supporting them at sporting events and walking her dog!