Our Team

Lesley Allen enters her 3rd year at Akili as a 2^nd Grade teacher after beginning her career at River’s Edge Elementary in Fayette, GA.  She grew up in Chicago, IL and is proud graduate of Dillard University with a B.A in Early Childhood Education.  

Jermaine Bennett enters his 2nd year with us a para-professional supporting our Special Education department. Jermaine graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge.

Hannah Bunis comes to us from the University of Arizona, and is a first-year TFA Corps Member teaching 1st grade.

Elise Butler-Pinkham teaches Kindergarten and is entering her 2nd year at Akili Academy. Elise graduated from the University of Michigan.  Prior to teaching at Akili, Elise toured nationally with the percussion group JUICE, and worked as an aide at the Northwood Child Development center.

Elyse Carr, a recent graduate from Carnegie-Mellon University, joins us as a first-year TFA Corps Member to teach in our Special Education department.

Grace Davis joins us as a 1^st grade teacher after teaching Pre-K in New Orleans.  She is a graduate of Sewanee, the University of the South.

Blake DiMarco is our Director of Finance and Operations, and is entering her 2nd year at Akili Academy after working in Global Operations at Goldman Sachs in New York City. Blake is a graduate of Tulane University with a B.S.M in Finance and Legal Studies.

Liz Earnshaw is Akili's new Mental Health Coordinator and is coming to us from Philadelphia, PA where she earned degrees from Temple University and Thomas Jefferson University.

Gabie Frey joins our Kindergarten team as a first year TFA Corps Member. She is a recent graduate of Tulane University.

Christine Fulton joins Akili as a 3rd Grade teacher after teaching for 3 years at Abramson Charter School in New Orleans. She is a graduate of Tulane University.

Lourdes Fulton is a 2nd Grade teacher and a a native New Orleanian.  She attended Loyola University New Orleans where she got a B.A. in public relations. Before working at Akili Academy, she was a student intern at Schaumburg Elementary assisting in 3rd grade classrooms.

Sean Gallagher is the Founder and former Executive Director of Akili Academy. A veteran of the Mastery Charter Schools (Philadelphia) and School District of Philadelphia, Mr. Gallagher moved to New Orleans to open Akili Academy. He has degrees from Villanova University, Drexel University, and Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Zuri Gracin teaches 1st Grade and is entering her 2nd year at Akili as a Corps Member. Zuri graduated from Howard University with a Bachelors degree in Business Management, minoring in African American studies. Prior to working at Akili, Zuri worked with the DC public school system.

Robyn Gulley teaches 3rd Grade teacher at Akili. Prior to Akili, she taught for two years in Mexico and for three years in the Mississippi Delta, where she received her Master's Degree from Delta State University in Elementary Education. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado where she received a B.A. in Africana Studies and Journalism.

Audrey Hahn is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction and was a Founding Teacher at Akili after being a TFA Corps Member in Philadelphia. She has degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania.

Kim Karels - Office Manager

Kevin Lurkins joins us as a para-professional supporting the entire student body. He has played trumpet for over 20 years and has toured extensively across the country. Kevin studied Music Education at The University of Tennessee at Martin.

Julie Patterson MacFetters moves into the Principal role this year after being a Founding Teacher and Akili's Director of Student Support. Julie moved to New Orleans directly after graduating from Indiana University with a Degree in Sociology in 2001. Julie taught 1st grade for six years and worked for the local Teach For America office.

Danielle Mancinelli enters her 2nd year at Akili, teaching 2nd Grade. Danielle grew up in Philadelphia, PA and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Temple University with a B.A. in English and Political Science. Prior to teaching at Akili, Ms. Mancinelli worked at Tree House Books, a community literacy center.

Meg McElwain comes to Akili after teaching at Green Charter School in New Orleans. She teachers Kindergarten, and is a graduate of Tulane University.

Erin Meyer joins the Akili Operations Team after working for OptimumG in Denver, Colorado. Erin has degrees from Drake University and Webster University.

Mike Milano teachers 3rd grade at Akili Academy. Mike studied at the University of Michigan and is a first-year TFA Corps Member.

Hannah Nestler is in her second year of teaching and is thrilled to be working at Akili Academy. She graduated from Scripps College with a degree in psychology.

Grace Nixon enters her 3rd year at Akili, as a 1st grade teacher. Grace grew up in South Dakota and graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.A. in The Art & Science of Professional Speaking.

John Nowaczyk returns for his 2nd year at Akili as an Intervention Teacher after being a para-professional supporting our Special Education department. He is a graduate of Creighton University in Nebraska.

Patricia O'Rourke teaches Kindergarten as a second year TFA Corps Member. Patricia grew up in Syracuse, NY and graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Public Relations.

Jessica Pivik enters her 2nd year at Akili, teaching 4th Grade math. After starting her teaching career in St. Louis, MO, Jessica taught 1st grade at KIPP McDonogh 15. Jessica grew up in Baton Rouge, LA and graduated from LSU with a B.A. in English.

Allen Semien is a para-professional supporting our entire student body. Allen's academic background includes degrees in English, public safety and national security. Allen, a Louisiana native, attended Southern University and the University of New Haven.

Bobby Siporin is our new Director of Special Education. Prior to Akili, Bobby taught Special Education in Jefferson Parish. He graduated from Michigan State University.

Travis Starkey joins Akili after five years in the Mississippi Delta, as both a Corps Member and Program Director. Travis teaches 4th Grade and he graduated from the University of North Carolina.

Alison Stevenson teaches 2nd grade at Akili Academy. Originally from Oregon, she graduated from Concordia University and is a 1st year TFA Corps Member.

Niti Suchdeve joins our Special Education department after teaching Special Education at Priestley Charter School here in New Orleans. Niti is a graduate of the University at Albany.

Grant Thomas is teaching 4th Grade at Akili Academy after teaching for two years in LaPlace, LA. Grant has a degree from Washington and Lee University.

Nora Wentworth teaches 3rd Grade math in her 2nd year at Akili Academy. Nora grew up in New Jersey and graduated from The College of New Jersey with a B.A. in Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies. Prior to teaching at Akili, Nora was a 5th grade teacher at Abramson.

Brandon Worthington, Akili's Director of Mathematics was a Founding Teacher at Akili 3 years ago as a TFA Corps Member.  Mr. Worthington grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. in International Relations. Prior to teaching at Akili, Mr. Worthington was in the Army R.O.T.C. program at Ohio State.

Board of Directors

Gary Bono, Chairman

Tim Bryant       

Ronnie Evans, Vice Chairman

Jere Hales, Secretary   

John Hummel    

Lori Marshall   

Mary Lee Murphy

Coleman Ridley Jr.                                                                                      

Bob Stefani   

Jeff Teague, Treasurer