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Meet the Team
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Deborah Gist
CEO
Dr. Deborah A. Gist is the founder of Future School Fund, a national scholarship-granting organization helping expand learning opportunities for public school students through the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. A purpose-driven leader with more than 35 years of experience across education, public policy, and executive leadership, she has served as a state education chief in Rhode Island and Washington, D.C., superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, and senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Education. Throughout her career, she has partnered with communities to expand opportunity for young people and strengthen the systems that support them. Today, she works with states, school systems, community-based organizations, and civic leaders across the country to help ensure the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit delivers meaningful benefits for public school students..
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Onikah Asamoa-Caesar
CHIEF OF STAFF
Onikah Asamoa-Caesar serves as Chief of Staff of Future School Fund bringing experience across education, philanthropy, and organizational strategy. Previously, she served as Director of Strategic Advisement for the Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa and later as a Program Officer at the George Kaiser Family Foundation, where her work focused on expanding opportunity for children, families, and communities. Onikah is also the founder of Fulton Street Books & Coffee building initiatives at the intersection of literacy, community, and entrepreneurship. She began her career in education as a Teach For America corps member in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Onikah holds a B.A. in History from California State University, Fullerton and an M.S. in Education from Johns Hopkins University.
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John Alford
COO
John serves as Chief Operating Officer of Future School Fund, bringing extensive experience building, scaling, and leading organizations focused on expanding educational opportunity. Previously, he served as Chief Network Growth Officer at the KIPP Foundation and held leadership roles with the New York City Department of Education, where he led the city’s $60 million federal school improvement program. An Echoing Green Fellow, John founded and led Langston Hughes Academy Charter School in New Orleans and helped establish New Schools for New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Earlier in his career, he helped lead KIPP’s national expansion, supporting the opening of 42 schools across 32 cities and 17 states. John holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Board of Directors
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Deborah Gist
CEO, Future School Fund
Dr. Deborah A. Gist is the founder of Future School Fund, a national scholarship-granting organization helping expand learning opportunities for public school students through the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. A purpose-driven leader with more than 35 years of experience across education, public policy, and executive leadership, she has served as a state education chief in Rhode Island and Washington, D.C., superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, and senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Education. Throughout her career, she has partnered with communities to expand opportunity for young people and strengthen the systems that support them. Today, she works with states, school systems, community-based organizations, and civic leaders across the country to help ensure the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit delivers meaningful benefits for public school students.
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Sharon Contreras
CEO, The Innovation Project
Dr. Sharon L. Contreras is the CEO of The Innovation Project in North Carolina, a collaborative of education leaders working to advance innovative approaches to teaching and learning. A longtime educator and former superintendent, she has led both urban and county-wide school districts and is recognized for expanding access to Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education, dual-enrollment programs, and other opportunities for students. During her tenure leading Guilford County Schools, the district achieved a 91.8% graduation rate and developed high-impact tutoring and learning hub models that gained national recognition. Her leadership has earned numerous honors, including recognition from the North Carolina PTA, the Piedmont Triad Educational Consortium, and the Council of Great City Schools. Dr. Contreras holds multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
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Robert Runcie
CEO, Chiefs for Change
Robert Runcie is the CEO of Chiefs for Change, a national network of education leaders dedicated to improving student outcomes and expanding economic and social mobility. He brings more than two decades of private‑sector experience in technology, management consulting, and entrepreneurship, along with over twenty years of leadership in public education. Bob previously held senior roles in Chicago Public Schools and served for a decade as superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, earning national recognition and multiple superintendent of the year honors. A trusted advisor to superintendents and C‑suite executives, he holds degrees from Harvard College and Northwestern University and serves on several boards.
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Aylon Samouha
CEO, Transcend
Aylon Samouha is the cofounder and CEO of Transcend, leading efforts to ensure all young people experience extraordinary learning. A lifelong advocate for educational equity, he previously held leadership roles at Rocketship Public Schools and Teach For America. He also serves on the board of Leading Educators and is a devoted husband, father, and jazz and Brazilian guitarist.
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Dacia Toll
Co-CEO, Coursemojo
Dacia co-founded and spent 21 wonderful years as a teacher, principal, and CEO of Achievement First, a network of 41 public schools that was recognized as one of the highest-performing school systems in the country based on achievement results and college graduation rates. Dacia also co-founded Relay Graduate School of Education and still serves as vice-chair of the board. Dacia lives in New Haven, CT with her husband and a big, extended, blended family.
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