Growth and Change

We're starting the year with both growth and change, and I want to be clear about what that means and what matters most as we navigate it together.

First, the good news: DJ has been promoted to Director of District Strategy. This is well-deserved recognition of the work he's been doing and the leadership he's been showing. It's also a strategic move that strengthens our ability to build and sustain the district partnerships that make everything else possible.

At the same time, we're saying goodbye to two members of our development team at the end of the month. Between DJ's promotion and these departures, we're hiring for new roles, adjusting responsibilities across multiple teams, bringing in interim support, and making sure the work keeps moving while we figure out the right long-term structure.

Change like this creates opportunity when we're thoughtful about it. You'll see some of that play out over the next few weeks as we adjust.

What Matters Most Right Now

One clear theme from the culture survey: you want to understand how your work connects to our organizational goals. That's actionable feedback, and I can address it right now by being explicit about what success looks like this quarter.

This quarter has been about proving our model delivers what we say it does and rebuilding the stakeholder confidence that makes everything else possible.

We're in the final month of Q2, which means it's time to close strong on the commitments that answer those questions. At the start of this quarter, each team set specific priorities. I'm attaching that full list here, but let me connect the dots on how your work ties to our organizational focus.

Proving our model works: When 12th grade hits our 85% early decision target, we're demonstrating excellence in college placement. When College Success supports re-enrollment and transfer students, we're proving our impact extends beyond initial college entry. When Program Innovation launches EMERGE Everywhere with strong early engagement, we're testing whether our relationship-centered approach can work outside traditional district partnerships and virtually.

Rebuilding stakeholder confidence: When Data & Evaluation finalizes our Theory of Change, we're clarifying what actually drives our impact. When Development launches the Advisory Council and secures luncheon commitments, we're building the funder relationships that secure our future. When we work to re-engage districts, we're strengthening the partnerships that give us access to students. When Communications defines our economic mobility narrative, we're sharpening the story that helps others understand our value.

Building the infrastructure that enables both: When Finance produces accurate monthly reports and completes a clean audit, we demonstrate operational maturity. When People & Culture launches CultureAmp goal tracking, we create systems that drive accountability. When we build Portal enhancements and improve IT systems, we're creating the foundation that lets everyone focus on students rather than fighting with tools that don't work.

The question for the next few weeks: are we on track to close Q2 strong on the commitments that answer these fundamental questions? If something's slipping, now's the time to flag it.

Looking Ahead

I'll share more about the culture survey results next week in preparation for digging in further at our January 29th Q meeting. Between now and then, focus on finishing what you committed to and thinking about what's working and what needs to adjust.

Change creates opportunity when we're clear about what matters and honest about what we're building toward. We're in one of those moments now.

Let's close this quarter strong.