CSI - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
Hi! I'm Allegra Wenger, and I've been with CSI since 2014. As CSI's Director of Human Resources, I oversee the central office's HR needs and work closely with CSI leadership to cultivate an inviting and supportive atmosphere that empowers our exceptional staff to excel in their roles and effectively serve the charter school community.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management from Michigan State University and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification. My focus is on implementing internal policies and practices that help our organization recruit and retain a talented and diverse team, fostering our ongoing development and progress.
I am so proud to work alongside my CSI colleagues and sincerely enjoy every opportunity that I am afforded to engage and learn from our brilliant team!
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications Manager
Hi! I'm Amanda Oberg (she/her) and I have been with CSI since 2017. As CSI's Senior Communications Manager, it's important to me to increase awareness about charter public schools, share the innovative ways CSI schools are serving all students, and strengthen the connection between CSI and the schools we authorize. I develop CSI publications and newsletters, grow CSI's online presence, and also act as the Board Liaison to the CSI Board of Directors.
I have a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Media Studies and a graduate certificate in Publishing. I have been involved in the charter sector since 2015, working with the Colorado League of Charter Schools before coming to CSI.
I've had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles in K-12 and post-secondary schools across the Front Range for the past 16 years. For the last four years, I worked at a CSI school on the Data team and supervised data submissions and data system management. As a mother of three in a CSI school, I have seen firsthand what having high-quality options in the educational setting can make for a child's success.
From my time working in data submissions at the school level, I understand many of the daily challenges and timelines our school teams need to meet. I'm looking forward to helping schools achieve accurate and compliant submissions to ensure schools and students receive the needed funding.
Job Titles:
- Mental Health Programs Coordinator
Hello! My name is Betsy Jane Basch (she/her/hers), and I am CSI's Mental Health Programs Coordinator. I am here to support school leaders & mental health staff with consultation & training; provide schools & staff access to high quality mental health resources & relevant agencies; collaborate with crisis response teams to shore up practices & response: and assist with compliance & manage relevant grant funding. I've worked in every conceivable educational format from collegiate, charter networks, prison, residential treatment, and even traditional! I want to make sure each of our schools has access to deliver and develop culturally competent, culturally aware and inclusive social emotional environments that value health and wellness for all.
I am a triple credentialed & licensed clinician and earned my Bachelor's in Psychology from Campbell University where I also played softball, and earned my Masters in Professional Counseling and my Doctorate in School Psychology from Argosy University-Phoenix. I am a service-action-oriented person, and would love to hear from you on how I can help support your mission & vision for wellness!
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for Special Education, Section 504, and School Health / Nursing
My name is Brian Printz and I joined the CSI team in August of 2019 as a part-time Special Education Coordinator. I enjoy working at CSI to increase parental choice options for all students, including those from diverse backgrounds and those with special needs. My specific role within our team of coordinators has continued to evolve to my current focus on providing guidance, training, and coaching to our portfolio of schools around 504, school nursing, and special education.
I earned an MA and PhD in Educational and School Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and completed coursework leading to licensure as a special education director through the University of Denver. I received my BA degree in education from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. I worked as a school psychologist in Texas and Colorado but spent most of my career as a Director of Special Education for Colorado school districts, a BOCES, and a residential treatment facility. My experience has extended to rural, urban, and suburban settings.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Coordinator
Hi! My name is Cait Eggleston, and I joined CSI in July 2023 as one of the Special Education Coordinators. I hold a bachelor's degree in special education from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a master's degree in educational leadership with dual licensure in Principalship and Special Education Director from the University of Northern Colorado.
My professional background includes roles as a Special Education teacher in both charter and facility schools, as well as positions such as Special Education Department Chair, 504 Coordinator, MTSS Coordinator, and Student Services Coordinator. I am eager to contribute to the Charter Schools at CSI by developing and sustaining strong special education departments. My goal is to enhance student access to charter schools and ensure they receive the necessary support and programming to thrive.
I joined CSI in the fall of 2021 as the Office Administrator and later was thrilled to join the Data Submissions Team. In my role, I support our schools with data submissions specifically for October Count, TSDL, End of Year, CRDC as well as with other collection's validations and support.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Finance
My name is Dave Sever, and I first joined the CSI team in March of 2019 as the Controller. In this role I am responsible for financial reporting and for ensuring the integrity of CSI and its schools' financial information. I will be the point of contact for all questions on financial statutes, polices, and procedures. Before coming to CSI, I worked in Colorado state government for close to 5 years and was with the private sector prior to that. In addition to receiving my MBA in 2010, I am a licensed CPA. I enjoy working at CSI as it allows me to encounter many unique accounting situations that keep me on my toes.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Coordinator
My name is Donna Day. I am the Special Education Coordinator for the CSI charter schools on the Western Slope of Colorado. I support the schools I serve by providing oversight of special education programs and professional development for staff serving our students with special needs. I joined CSI in the fall of 2012. Before my work with CSI, I held several other positions in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado including speech/language pathologist, special education teacher for students PK through 12, assistant principal in a middle school, high school assistant principal, and executive director and special education director of a Colorado BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services). I am a licensed special education director in Colorado. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy from Stephen F. Austin State University and my Master's Degree in Educational Administration from New Mexico State University.
Job Titles:
- District Assessment Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Grant and Procurement Manager
I'm Emma Post (she/her) and I am the Grant and Procurement Manager here at CSI. My work involves administering accounts payable and receivable tasks, leading our internal procurement processes, and various grants management duties including providing support to our portfolio and ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines.
I am originally from West Virginia and have a bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. I began my journey at CSI in 2019 and have held a few different positions since then, first as the Office Administrator and then as part of the Finance and Operations team. Supporting our organization in these varying capacities has given me the opportunity to get to know our schools well and appreciate the work they do for students around the state. I really value the supportive and collaborative team we have here at CSI.
When I'm not working, I love to read, be outside, and travel as much as possible!
Job Titles:
- Director of School Nutrition
Hi, my name is Ilene Agustin (she/her), and I am the Director of School Nutrition. I joined the CSI team in March of 2020. My role is to oversee the CSI School Food Authority, ensuring we are supporting our schools participating in various Child Nutrition Programs. I also work with the school programs on compliance within all areas of the program.
I have a bachelor's degree in Dietetics and Nutrition and Fitness, and a master's degree in Organizational Leadership and Management. I am a Registered Dietitian and Certified as a School Nutrition Specialist.
My name is Janet Dinnen and I have been with CSI serving in a variety of capacities since 2013. In my current role as Chief of Staff, I oversee our Communications and HR Teams and the data quality and reporting initiatives of our Data Submissions Team. I also support with legislative and regulatory monitoring and provide operational support to our Leadership Team and Executive Director.
I have worked in the charter sector for over 15 years. Prior to CSI, I was a secondary teacher and member of an administrative team at a Colorado Springs charter school. Prior to that, I worked with a charter management organization and a charter authorizer in Ohio. I received my bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and my master's degree in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment.
I love working at CSI because I believe in its mission, its ability and willingness to adapt to meet the changing needs of our schools and their communities, and its culture of continuous improvement. And importantly, I enjoy the diverse portfolio of schools, partners, and team I have the opportunity to work with.
In my role I support our teams doing work to ensure that CSI schools meet their responsibilities to serve all students. We approach the work with a focus on equity, access, and continuous improvement to support schools in closing outcome gaps. This includes overseeing compliance with all state and federal requirements, providing opportunities for capacity building, and offering tiered consultation/support. I believe charter schools play an important role in a healthy education ecosystem, and may serve as models for a truly community-based and culturally responsive approach to education.
In prior roles, I've served as CSI's District Assessment Coordinator, ELD Coordinator, READ Act/School Readiness Coordinator, and Improvement and Implementation Specialist. Before working at CSI, I worked as a musician, teacher and school leader in Colorado, New Mexico, and East Africa. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Spanish with a focus in Music Pedagogy from the University of New Mexico, and a Master's degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In my free time I continue to teach and play music, and like to run on dirt as much as I can.
Job Titles:
- Senior Data Submissions Specialist
I'm Julie Eddy and I joined CSI in 2016 as the Data Manager as part of the Data Submissions Team. My primary responsibilities are to provide support for the October Count and At-Risk Audit processes and support for data processing and validations for various state collections. I've been working in the area of public student data collections in Colorado since 2002 and provided state and federal data management support to the Colorado Community College System prior to coming to CSI.
Job Titles:
- Senior Assessment Specialist
My name is Kali Winn and I am the Assessment Coordinator at CSI. I joined the team in 2021 after working as a Testing Coordinator at Weber State University in Utah, where I received my B.A. in Professional and Technical Writing. My role at CSI is to manage our portfolio's state assessments, including training, accommodations, security, and logistics. I am passionate about education as a tool to change both personal and social trajectories and I appreciate CSI's commitment to offering high quality education choices to all students. My personal goal is to increase awareness about charters and subsequently serve all students to the best of my ability.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Coordinator
My name is Karen Davidson and as a Special Education Coordinator for CSI, I support schools along the Front Range Corridor from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. I joined CSI in January of 2024 with over 20 years in education and healthcare. As a Director of Exceptional Student Services for a school network, I helped pioneer inclusive programming for the Denver Metro landscape and supervised all aspects of special education, 504 and ALP programming. Prior to that, I worked as a learning specialist and special education consultant and designed a family satisfaction program for a top-ranked Children's Hospital . I hold a Master's degree in Special Education from the Metropolitan State University of Denver, an English Learner designation and am certified to teach special education and English Language Arts. I am currently completing my Special Education Director licensure through the University of Northern Colorado. I am most passionate about promoting quality programming for students while ensuring that educators have the tools they need to do the right work. I truly love working for CSI and supporting school teams.
Job Titles:
- Director of Professional Learning & School Programs
My name is Kim Caplan and I'm the Director of School Programs. I support CSI schools in developing and strengthening a variety of programs to improve outcomes for all students. My primary areas of focus are gifted education, career and technical education, postsecondary programs, educator qualifications and induction. I joined the CSI Team in August 2015 eager to continue my work to provide high quality educational options for students and families. My prior experience in education includes teaching middle school science, serving as principal of an alternative high school and managing a division of 18 charter schools in Colorado, Arizona and Ohio. I am currently licensed as a principal and teacher with endorsements in secondary science and gifted education. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Master's Degree in Teaching from the University of Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Coordinator
My name is Lora Bonney, I am a Special Education Coordinator for CSI charter schools in Colorado Springs, Salida, Aurora, and Centennial. I support schools assigned to me by providing oversight of special education programs and professional development for staff serving our students identified as meeting eligibility criteria for special education services. I joined CSI in the summer of 2024. Prior to my work with CSI, I served in the following positions in California, New Mexico, and Colorado: an assistant director of special education, a special education coordinator, a section 504 coordinator, a special education instructional leader, a special education teacher and a college instructor. I am licensed as a special education director and K-12 Principal in Colorado. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from San Jose State University.
I am a dedicated and results-driven special education leader with extensive experience in enhancing educational outcomes for students with special needs. My goal is to create supportive, inclusive educational environments in charter schools supported by CSI where every student can thrive.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Coordinator
My name is Lynnette Steinhoff and I'm one of the Special Education Coordinators for the CSI charter schools in the Aurora area. I support schools assigned to me by providing oversight of special education programs and professional development for staff serving our students identified with a disability. I joined CSI in the fall of 2023. Prior to my work with CSI, I served as a director of special education, associate manager at CDE, Elementary principal, interventionist, special education teacher and a mental health worker all within the state of Colorado. I am currently licensed as a special education director, K-12 Principal, and K-12 special education teacher. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology/Psychology with a Child/Youth care emphasis, a MA in special education, a MA in education leadership and a Ph.D in Education: Leadership, Policy, and Change.
Job Titles:
- Grant and Accounting Technician
Hello! My name is Magaly Mar-Sotero, and I joined CSI in 2023 as the Office Administrator. Currently, I am a part of the Finance team, serving as a Grant and Accounting Technician.
Coming from the disparities within Colorado's public school system, I am a passionate advocate for the BIPOC community and a staunch supporter of racial equity, inclusion, and diversity. This commitment drives my pride in serving the charter school community.
In my role, I am responsible for processing payments for state and federal grants, reviewing fund requests from CSI schools, and providing constructive feedback on these submissions. Additionally, I manage data entry into the SCI grant management system and process grant payments for both CSI schools and external vendors.
Job Titles:
- School Nutrition Specialist
Hi! My name is Maggie Necaise (she/her) and I am a School Nutrition Specialist. I graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. Some credentials I hold include; Registered Dietitian, certified School Nutrition Specialist, Servssafe Food Protection Manager, and a certified Servsafe Instructor and Proctor. I joined CSI in March 2023. I work closely under Ilene Agustin the School Nutrition Director. My role is to ensure compliance, manage Free & Reduced Lunch Data, overview meal applications, promote inclusion, coordinate and communicate with families, and provide general support pertaining to our schools participating in the numerous Child Nutrition Programs. I am passionate about helping provide children with nutritious meals and helping schools to promote a healthy school environment.
Job Titles:
- School Nutrition Specialist
Hi! My name is Maggie Smart (she/her) and am a School Nutrition Specialist. I joined the CSI team in July of 2024. My role is to assist schools with menu planning ensuring USDA meal patterns are being followed, support the schools participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and provide overall support for our schools participating in Child Nutrition programs.
I have a bachelor's degree in Dietetics and a master's degree in Dietetics from Marshall University. I am a Registered Dietitian.
Although new to school nutrition, I am passionate about providing healthful meals to students to encourage growth and learning.
Job Titles:
- Director of Grants Fiscal and Accounting
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Special Education
My name is Matt Hudson, CSI Assistant Director of Special Education. I joined CSI during its second year of authorizing schools which was a pivotal time as CSI had just completed its first year opening of 2 schools. I pursued to come aboard CSI as I am passionate about my work in serving the needs of students with disabilities and wanted to be a part of the "Leading Change" in Charter Schools. It has been rewarding to be a part of all the pioneering work that CSI has done over the years to serve students with disabilities.
My responsibilities include providing oversight of the Special Education program for all CSI schools. I spend much of my time working with schools around how to better serve the needs of our exceptional students. I have over 30+ years in Education and am a School Psychologist by training. I have served on several State and District committees and notably was a member of the State Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) as well as an invited guest presenter at several local conferences and universities.
I am native to Minnesota and an outdoor weekend warrior enthusiast that enjoys the many wilderness adventures and experiences that Colorado has to offer.
Howdy! My name is Melissa Allen and I transferred to CSI in November 2021 after 8 years in the accounting department at the Colorado Department of Education. As the Staff Accountant, I work to support CSI's role as a School Food Authority and assist with reporting and other accounting functions.
In my time at CSI and CDE, I have become familiar with many grants and distributions that our schools count on to serve their students. I enjoy helping schools and staff with their funding questions and working to solve any financial puzzles that may arise. It's rewarding to spend time supporting schools and their students while also learning about our schools' behind-the-scenes operations.
Originally from Ohio, I've lived in Colorado for over twenty years. I love spending as much time outdoors as I can. When I am not at work, my time is spent bicycle riding, beekeeping, gardening, and petting cats.
Job Titles:
- Authorization and Accountability Manager
Since 2019, I've worked with CSI school's on a wide range of initiatives including supporting the work schools are doing to provide students with awesome postsecondary opportunities, helping school nurses and administrators navigate the challenges and complexities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and now I get to support the growth and evolution of new and current CSI schools.
I came to CSI with a passion for getting students to and through college, and my time here has broadened my awareness of what it takes to foster a dynamic educational landscape where families have an opportunity to identify the best fit for their students. The educational experience can look so different today than it did when I was a student, and it excites me that I get to work with CSI staff and schools each day on innovative ideas to prepare students for success.
I am originally from Rhode Island, where I attended the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College, and now live in Denver with my family, our dog, and six chickens. I'm continuously on the hunt for pristine, off-grid camping spots in and around Colorado!
Job Titles:
- Director of Special Education
Job Titles:
- Senior School Safety Specialist
I am Paul Cairney, Senior School Safety Specialist. I am here to ensure our schools provide a safe and secure environment in which our educators can work and our students can learn. My experience goes back more than thirty years, as I served in the US Air Force as a Security Forces officer in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. After retiring from the military, I was the Chief of the Argyle Independent School District Police Department in Argyle, Texas, where my department won the National Association of School Resource Officers Model Agency Award. Returning to Colorado where I grew up, I was the Deputy Director of School Safety and Security for the Douglas County School District. I joined CSI in June 2024. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Military History with a minor in German from the US Air Force Academy, a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership and Change Management, and Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership from Louisiana Baptist University. My wife, Lynn, and I run a horse sanctuary together.
Job Titles:
- English Language Development Coordinator
I am so excited to be a part of the Colorado Charter School Institute team as English Language Development Coordinator! I began my professional career as a secondary Social Studies teacher at a charter school in Thornton, Colorado in 2007 where I taught for ten years. Then I had the pleasure of being a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) Teacher Leader at an elementary school in Aurora Public Schools where I oversaw English Language Development programming and data management. During this time, I also facilitated professional development for teachers in Denver Public Schools around planning for and supporting multilingual learners. Following this role, I helped open a new P-8 school in Aurora as an Assistant Principal from 2020-2022.
I moved to Colorado in 2007 from the Kansas City area after completing my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Kansas. In 2020, I completed the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program at the University of Denver to earn my Colorado Principal License.
I describe myself as an advocate for all learners, and I thrive on seeing student growth. I believe building relationships and a strong community is the key to student success. I am honored to continue my journey as an educator and leader at the Colorado Charter School Institute!
Job Titles:
- Digital Communications Specialist
Hello! My name is Raena Vigil, and I am the Digital Communications Coordinator at CSI. In my role, I support the development of content for social media, publications, press releases, newsletters, and the CSI website. I coordinate and assist with initiatives to increase awareness and understanding of CSI.
My background includes experience as a digital marketing specialist, a social media intern with History Colorado, and a partnerships volunteer with Hope for Justice. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Colorado State University-Pueblo.
I am passionate about advocating for and encouraging students. My commitment is reflected in my tutoring at local schools, serving as an FCA camp volleyball coach for elementary-aged children, and volunteering with Cru English camps for high school students in Slovakia.
I am thrilled to be part of CSI's driven, passionate, and mission-focused team, working to provide excellent educational opportunities for all students. I look forward to continuing to leverage digital communications to support CSI's mission.
Job Titles:
- Senior Data Submissions Specialist
Hello! My name is Ryan Hartung and I have been at CSI since 2017 working as a Data Specialist. This role allows me to work with all our schools on completing all required State and Federal Data Collections. I assist schools with the processing of their files, provide error reports, troubleshoot issues, and coordinate with CDE to ensure all necessary deadlines are met.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Authorizing & Accountability
My name is Ryan Marks (he/him) and I have been with CSI since 2014. As the Chief of Authorizing and Accountability, I oversee our charter authoring processes and strategy, accountability system and data visualization, and school compliance monitoring and support.
I received a B.S in Biological Sciences and a M.A in Research Methods and Statistics from the University of Denver and have an administrator license and professional teaching license with endorsements in secondary science education, gifted and talented education, special education, and linguistically diverse education. I have more than 15 years of experience in education and was a middle school science teacher in Thailand and Colorado prior to joining CSI.
I enjoy working at CSI because I work with many different school models across the state. I am consistently inspired by the ability of the charter school movement and those working in charter schools to produce amazing outcomes for all students across this wide variety of educational models and geographies. It's important to me that students across Colorado have the opportunity to access a high-quality education in a school model that works for them.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time outside with my family hiking, gardening, or simply exploring the neighborhood playground. I also serve on the board of directors for Colorado High School Charter, an alternative charter high school in Denver.
Job Titles:
- Grant and Accounting Technician
Hello, my name is Shawn Wilkens. I joined CSI as a Grant and Accounting Technician in March 2022. My work consists of reviewing request for funds submissions, providing feedback to schools for Federal and State compliance requirements and processing grant payments to CSI schools and external vendors.
For seventeen years I owned and operated a successful small business in Vail, Colorado and more recently worked in the Business office at Caprock Academy, a CSI Charter School. I am a Native of Colorado and have lived various places throughout this beautiful state, experiencing all the outdoor activities Colorado is famous for.
Job Titles:
- Data Quality & Audit Specialist
My name is Sheila Sellers. I joined the CSI Data Team in January 2024, after serving at a CSI school for nine years managing student data and the systems used to house that data. I bring all I learned at the school level to help other schools manage their student data in the most effective and efficient ways possible. Data tells stories and unlocks insights to help us each move forward in the areas where we seek to serve students. I am thrilled to use my passion for accurate, timely data to further serve the CSI mission.
I earned my bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from Harding University. Over the years, teaching and training have been a natural part of life and work from homeschool coops to corporate software training.
When I am not managing data, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, from mountains to beaches, and splashing in the creek with grandkids. I cultivate both a flower garden and mentoring relationships. I seek to encourage growth in others as they navigate life's challenges. It is beautiful to watch both flowers and people bloom.
Job Titles:
- Director of School Policy & Compliance
Hi! I am Stephanie Aragon. I joined CSI in December of 2019. As the Director of School Policy and Compliance, I track changes to federal and state law and provide policy guidance to CSI schools. I also oversee the contracting process and ensure ongoing compliance with legal and contractual requirements.
Prior to joining the CSI team, I was a Senior Policy Analyst at the Education Commission of the States where I provided research support to state policymakers across the country working on education policies.
I earned my Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Colorado and my Master's in Public Policy with a concentration in Education Policy from the University of Denver. I attended a charter in CSI's portfolio (go Wildcats!) for the bulk of my K-12 experience and found an early passion for the power of innovation in education. I pursued a career in education policy so that I could play a role in helping to ensure more students have access to the quality education they deserve. I am thrilled to work alongside CSI's talented team and serve and support our diverse portfolio of schools.
Job Titles:
- Early Learning & School Support Coordinator