Board of Directors

Charles C. Cahn

Founder, Board Chair

Charles C. Cahn, Jr., The Cahn Fellows Program Chairman of the Board and Founder spent the preponderance of his career at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. where he was a Research Analyst, Research Director, Managing Director of Research Services and Managing Director of Fixed Income Investment Management. He was a member of Bernstein’s board of directors. After he retired from Bernstein, he was the CEO of Cahn Medical Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage life science companies, from which he has also retired. Mr. Cahn holds a B.A from Washington and Lee University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.
Cahn has served on our board since 2001.
“If you find a school that’s working well, there’s a good principal running it.”

Andrew S. Adelson

Retired, Chief Investment Officer,
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc.

Andrew S. Adelson held a series of positions at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc. He was the Chief Investment Officer of Global Value Investment Management Services, the chairman of the Global Value, Global Value Balanced and International Value Equity Investment Policy Groups of Alliance Bernstein’s Bernstein Investment Research and Management unit (“Bernstein Unit”), and a member of the U.S., Emerging Markets, Canadian, European and U.K. Value Equity Investment Policy Groups of the Bernstein Unit. He joined Bernstein in 1980, and until 1983 was a Research Analyst covering the aerospace industry. From 1983 until 1987, he was Research Director for Investment Management, and from 1987 through 1990, Managing Director of Institutional Services. Starting in 1990, he developed the international investment management services for Bernstein. Mr. Adelson is also a former member of the Board of Directors at The Hastings Center.
Mr. Adelson was named to the Institutional Investor All-America Research Team in 1982. He earned a B.S. and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1977 and 1978, respectively.
Mr. Adelson has served on our board since 2016.

Kirsten Busch Johnson

Founding Director, Cahn Fellowship

Kirsten Busch Johnson is Vice President, Learning & Development at The D.E. Shaw Group and was the Founding Director of The Cahn Fellows Program (2002-2006)
Ms. Busch Johnson joined our Board in 2020.

Mason D. Haupt

Retired, Portfolio Manager of a Structured Products Fund,
Soros Fund Management

Mason Haupt retired from a career in fixed income investment management. He began his career at Salomon Brothers, and served as co-head of the Mortgage Securities Department for seven years. He also was a partner at Five Mile Capital Partners, where he managed a liquid fixed income hedge fund. He served as portfolio manager for a Structured Credit Fund at Soros Fund Management for six years.
Mason also serves on the Overseer Board of the University of Pennsylvnia’s Stuart Weitzman School of Design, and as a board member of PennPraxis, also at the University of Pennsylvania’s Stuart Weitzman School of Design.
Mason earned a B.S. Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1977 and an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1980.
Mason has served on our board since 2015.

Dr. Adele Tay Fabrikant

Executive Director, Cahn Fellowship

After spending most of her childhood in Washington D.C., Adele graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1999 with a degree in environmental design specializing in architecture. Her career in public education began as a Teach For America corps member working with 28 second graders in the South Bronx of New York. Adele decided to return to her hometown to continue teaching in elementary schools. After earning her Masters in Educational Leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University in 2004, Adele led instructional and school design for high school students through several non-profit organizations. In partnership with several community based organizations, Adele designed, founded and served as the founding principal of a public transfer high school in Brooklyn, New York serving hundreds of opportunity youth. As the Deputy Chief of Youth Engagement at DC Public Schools in 2011, Adele oversaw policies and programs for the district’s most under-served populations.
In 2015, Adele graduated with a Doctorate in Education and her dissertation focused on student-centered, transformational school district leadership. For nearly 7 years, Adele led Teach For America's D.C. Region as Executive Director. In 2021, Adele was promoted to Regional Field Executive where she managed multiple executive leaders across regions and co-led the strategy and implementation of TFA’s first alumni innovation regions.
Today, Adele lives with her husband, three children and rescue dog in Alexandria, Virginia.

Amanda Cahn

Executive Director, Retention and Rewards
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Amanda Cahn is the Executive Director of Learning and Teaching, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Previously she was the Managing Director at the Center for Public Research and Leadership whose mission is to revitalize public education while reinventing professional education. CPRL conducts rigorous coursework, skills training, and research and consulting projects to ready talented graduate students for challenging twenty-first-century careers enhancing the education sector’s capacity to improve the outcomes and life chances of all children.
Her prior roles include the founding COO for Public Square Partnership and Deputy Chief Portfolio Officer at the NYC Department of Education. Amanda began her career as a high school English teacher. She holds a BA from Rice University, an MA Ed in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix, and an MBA in Social Enterprise from Columbia University. She is an alumna of Teach For America (TFA), TFA’s School Systems Leaders Fellowship, and Education Pioneers.
Cahn has been a board member since 2016.

Jamie Litt

Principal Consultant Evaluation for Good

Jamie Litt has over 15 years of experience managing evaluation projects and supporting strategic planning with local education agencies, state education agencies, foundations, and non-profit organizations. She previously served as Director of Research and Evaluation at the New York City Department of Education, where she provided customized strategic and evaluation support to teams such as college access, career and technical education, special education, teacher development, and school design and charter partnerships and managed an evaluation of remote and hybrid learning in New York City. She is currently working as an independent consultant providing evaluation support to foundations and school districts. Ms. Litt has a a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.Ed. in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and completed coursework toward a PhD in Politics and Education at Teachers College Columbia University.

Janice K. Jackson

CEO at Hope Chicago
Cahn Fellow 2014

Dr. Janice Jackson is a Senior Fellow whose work at Carnegie focuses on equity issues, such as improving high school and college attainment nationwide, and ensuring that African American, Latinx, and Indigenous students receive exemplary education and social and emotional support. She is the CEO of education nonprofit Hope Chicago and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools.
Jackson’s tenure at CPS—the nation’s 3rd largest school district with more than 355,000 students, 38,000 employees, and an annual budget of $7 billion—is most notable for the results the district attained in advancing equitable outcomes for its students. Jackson’s efforts, along with those of Chicago’s dedicated teachers and principals, have propelled CPS students to record-breaking improvements in academic achievement, high school graduation, and post-secondary completion. Education experts across the country regard Chicago as a national leader in improving results for young people at scale.
She began her career within CPS in 1999 as a social studies teacher and debate team coach at South Shore High School. Subsequently, she served as a high school principal, District Network Chief, and Chief Education Officer. Appointed CEO in 2017, she was the first CPS alumna to serve in the position. Jackson holds a B.A. and M.A. from Chicago State University, and an M.A. and Ed.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is also a board member of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.

Dr. Melitina Hernandez

Principal, New York
Cahn Fellow 2018

Dr. Melitina Hernandez Ed.D, brings over eleven years of outstanding leadership as Principal of PS/MS 123, The Mahalia Jackson School of Literacy and the Arts. Her commitment to fostering a thriving learning environment is evident through collaborative engagement and academic excellence. In 2023, Melitina earned a Doctorate from Fordham University, further enriching her extensive educational background. Notably, she was recognized as a Cahn Fellow in 2018, underscoring her commitment to leadership excellence. Additionally, she holds two master's degrees—one from PACE University (2002)—and has successfully completed the esteemed Aspiring Leaders’ Program at Baruch College (2006). She started as an early childhood teacher (1999-2004), Melitina's journey saw her rise to roles such as Early Childhood Coordinator for District 2 (2004-2009) and Assistant Principal in a K-8 school within District 4 (2009-2013). This diverse experience prepared her for her current role.
Throughout her tenure as principal, Melitina Hernandez has showcased exceptional skill in securing funding, amassing over $5 million in grants. This financial support has been instrumental in enhancing various aspects of the school, including the integration of cutting-edge technology, the expansion of arts programs, and the recent establishment of a state-of-the-art hydroponics lab. Melitina's strategic allocation of resources has significantly enriched the learning experience for students, ensuring they have access to innovative tools and opportunities that foster holistic growth and academic success. Melitina's leadership led the school from receivership status to good standing, earning recognition as a Data Wise model school in September 2017. Her strategic initiatives have resulted in significant gains in literacy, math, and student attendance. Particularly noteworthy is the achievement of transitioning the school from a poor designation after the pandemic in 2022 to good standing in 2023, a testament to Melitina's strategic planning and dedication to student success.

Jonathan Stoel

Partner, Hogan Lovells, Washington, D.C.

Jonathan Stoel is a partner with Hogan Lovells in the firm’s International Trade and Investment and International Arbitration practices. Jonathan handles complex matters involving treaty-based claims, international investment protections, public international law,and international trade and customs issues. He also provides guidance on the U.S. Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Jonathan helps clients in many industries, including the steel, pharmaceutical, energy, agriculture, and consumer products sectors. He represents claimant investors in investment arbitrations before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and its additional facility, as well as in ad hoc arbitration under the Arbitration Rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Jonathan also develops strategies for clients to avoid protracted and costly investment dispute settlement proceedings.
Jonathan regularly represents companies in international trade administrative proceedings before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). He also litigates appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Court of International Trade. Jonathan has resolved international trade disputes through arbitration before panels constituted pursuant to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). Jonathan provides customs law guidance to clients on classification, valuation, tariff preference, and other issues. He has first-chaired client defenses in customs regulatory audits, prior disclosures, and penalty and forfeiture proceedings.
Jonathan also serves as the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Thurgood Marshall Academy, a Southeast Washington charter school, and as counsel to the Court-appointed Receiver for Options Public Charter School.
Mr. Stoel joined the Cahn Fellows Programs board in 2022.

Tara Shelton

Principal, South Loop Elementary School, Chicago
Cahn Fellow 2012

A product of Chicago public Schools, Tara Shelton began her teaching career at Benjamin Banneker Elementary school in the Englewood neighborhood. This led her to the UIC EdD Urban Education Leadership program. The program is designed to prepare and develop principals to be able to lead school improvement at the district level. Tara began her administrative career in 2006 with a focus on teacher development.
This experience has led her to many other great opportunities: Principal of South Loop Elementary for the past 12 years, 2008 RFP approval to open South Shore Fine Arts Academy, 2012 Cahn Fellows Program in New York, 2014 CPS Principal Fellowship program, 2015, Independent School Principal Model, 2016 Golden Apple Stanley C. Golder Leadership nominee, 2019 Golden Apple Foundation Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership Nominee, Principal mentor with Chicago Leadership Collaborative and serving on a variety of district level committees. Tara earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern University A&M College and a Masters in Elementary and Educational Administration from Chicago State University.
Ms. Shelton joined our Board in 2019.

Alan Mather

President, Golden Apple Foundation
Cahn Fellow 2012

Alan Mather is the President of the Golden Apple Foundation. In partnership with Alicia Winckler, the CEO, Alan leads the education work of the Foundation.
Prior to coming to Golden Apple, Alan served in the Chicago Public Schools for more than 32 years, from classroom teacher to principal to a key member of the CEO and Chief Education Officer’s cabinet--leading College and Career Success for the district.
Born and raised in rural Southern Indiana, Alan hitchhiked up to Chicago after graduating from the University of Evansville in 1986 and has been working in the Chicago public schools ever since.
Alan worked for 12 years as an English teacher, track and cross country coach before moving into administration after joining LAUNCH (Leadership and Urban Network for Chicago), the first principal preparation program in Chicago. His first administrative position was as the assistant principal at a new high school, Northside College Prep, which--in three years--became the top ranked high school in Illinois.
In 2005, Alan was given the opportunity, as principal, to open Lindblom Math & Science Academy, a school that had once been top-tier but had declined. With the freedom, flexibility and support to create a high school, Alan hired all teachers, built a culture of excellence, and created an empowering climate. Since Alan opened Lindblom, it has become, according to the Sun-Times rankings, the top-performing majority African-American school in Illinois and the only top 20-ranked school that has over 60% of its students on free/reduced lunch. He built the district’s largest Mandarin program, the largest non-heritage Arabic program in the United States, and the district’s first Biotechnology program in partnership with Baxter International and Northwestern University.
Alan represented the Chicago Public Schools at Harvard University’s PELP (Public Education Leadership Program), was an inaugural member of the College Board’s Leadership Institute for Principals, has been part of Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management’s “Leading Successful Schools” program, and was selected as one of two Chicago principals to participate in Columbia University’s Cahn Fellows Distinguished Principals Program for the 2012-2013 school year at Teachers College. In 2014, he was the first recipient of the Golden Apple Foundation’s Stanley C Golder Award for Principals or Heads of School.

Frank Trainer

Retired, Chief Investment Officer Fixed Income, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc.

Frank Trainer was chief investment officer–fixed income with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Inc. from 1980 to 2000, an investment analyst with Monumental Capital Management from 1975 to 1979, and a portfolio manager with USF&G from 1972 to 1975. Mr. Trainer received his MBA from Temple University and his BS in Economics from St. Joseph’s University and is a CFA. He serves on the investment committee for the Sisters of Saint Francis and as a director for Columbine Country Club in Colorado and the Cranaleith Spiritual Center in Philadelphia.
Trainer has been a board member since 2019.

Nancy Streim

Former Associate Vice President for School and Community Partnerships and Special Advisor to the Provost, Teachers College, Columbia University

Dr. Nancy Streim joined Teachers College in 2007 in the newly created position of Associate Vice President for School and Community Partnerships and Special Advisor to the Columbia University Provost. In her role as the head of the Office of School and Community Partnerships (OSCP), Dr. Streim leverages faculty and student research, teaching, and service to enrich learning and improve outcomes in New York City public schools, especially those in the local community. Major initiatives include the development of the Teachers College Community School and the Teachers College Partnership Schools network. The OSCP also provides a broad array of enrichment programs for local schools including the Reading/Math Buddies, Performing Arts Series, Harlem Schools Partnership for STEM Education, Harlem Ivy after school program, and Earth Friends.
Before coming to TC, Dr. Streim was Associate Dean for Educational Practice at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education where she and President Fuhrman developed the university-assisted school model that guides the work at TC. She holds a B.A. in Art History from Bryn Mawr College, an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from SUNY-Brockport and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Streim has served on our board since 2015.