The Schott Foundation for Public Education is pleased to announce two new members elected to its Board of Directors, Nayahra Resende and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari.

Resende brings years of experience working with and advocating for public school students in the Boston area, with a particular focus on restorative and transformative justice practices. Resende holds a fierce commitment to centering student voices and building community within education.

Shaakir-Ansari has built a career of effective and fearless advocacy on behalf of parents, children, and communities in New York, first as a parent organizer and then as Advocacy Director at the Alliance for Quality Education. She has been widely recognized as a leader in the field, building organizations and campaigns that hold up racial justice and community power as core demands in the education justice movement.

“These two talented advocates bring important insight and experience to the Schott team,” said Carolina Espinal, Schott Board Chair. “On behalf of the Board, I am honored to welcome and work alongside these leaders to strengthen Schott’s mission of bridging philanthropy and the grassroots to grow our movement for a more just and equitable public education system.”

“We are honored that Nayahra Resende and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari are dedicating their energy and expertise to further Schott’s mission and the goals of the education justice movement”

– John H. Jackson, President & CEO.

“I look forward to working with them on the next exciting chapters of our work.”