Eduardo Mendez

Eduardo Mendez is the Director of Student Services at the Guadalupe Centers School. “While the achievement gap between Latino and African-Americans compared to white children has been well documented over…

Brittney Heverling

Brittney Heverling is the Development and Engagement Manager at Kansas City Teacher Residency. “Surge Academy creates space and place for leaders of color to unite in their purpose developing equitable…

Cristina Marquez

Cristina Marquez is the Founding Social Worker at Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy. “Surge is the opportunity I’ve been looking for to connect and engage with other passionate educators. I…

AshleyMarie Marie

AshleyMarie Marie is a Postsecondary Retention Specialist at Kauffman Scholars Inc. “I’m choosing to embark on the Surge experience because I believe it will help me to see myself and…

Jorge Fuller

Jorge Fuller is an Impact Manager at City Year Kansas City. “For every challenge, there is a success only seen by the beholder.”-JAF.  Imagine the times of Marcus Garvey and…

Susana Elizarraraz

Susana Elizarraraz is the Vice President of Educator Supports at Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC). “What Surge means to me is a place of community to tackle the uphill battle of…

Laura Isabel Palacios

Laura Isabel Palacios is the Content Marketing Specialist, supporting Education, Evaluation, and KC Civic at Kauffman Foundation. “There are many leadership development programs in KC, but there is not one…

Lateshia Woodley

Lateshia Woodley is the Executive Director of Student Support Services at Kansas City Public Schools. “It is often difficult to find professional development geared toward junior and senior-level leadership. The…