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KIPP Foundation Operating Committee

Richard Barth, Chief Executive Officer

Richard Barth was made CEO and President of the KIPP Foundation in December of 2005. Over the past six years, he has overseen the significant growth of the network from 45 to 109 schools, dramatically expanded KIPP's leadership development programs, advocated for high performing charter schools on Capitol Hill, and secured more than $190 million in new, long-term philanthropic commitments, including more than $75 million from the federal government.  

Barth came to KIPP from Edison Schools, where he served as President of District Partnerships and managed school partnerships serving over 40,000 students. Prior to joining Edison, Richard was one of the founding staff members of Teach For America. He earned a BA in American History from Harvard University, and is an Aspen Institute-New Schools Fellow. He currently sits on the board of directors of 50CAN, The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, and Be the Change, Inc. and is President of the KIPP Foundation Board of Directors.

Jonathan Cowan, Chief Research, Design & Innovation Officer

As the Chief Research, Design & Innovation (RDI) Officer, Jonathan is responsible for leading the RDI team's efforts to support the KIPP network in getting better as we get bigger by: (1) leading network-wide innovation efforts in support of KIPP's regions and schools; (2) enabling local, grassroots innovation to have a broader impact by identifying what's working and helping to catalyze and disseminate it; and (3) driving ongoing insight via research and analysis that feeds KIPP's innovation pipeline. Prior to joining KIPP, Jonathan spent over 10 years at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where he assisted senior executives of large, complex organizations in addressing strategic, operational, and organizational issues and in managing large scale change. As a principal and partner at BCG, Jonathan spent several years helping to build and lead BCG's public education practice. Jonathan has an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MPA from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and a BS in applied mathematics from Yale University. Jonathan and his wife Kris have two young sons.

Valerie Faillace, Chief of Staff

As Chief of Staff, Valerie is responsible for managing strategic and annual planning for the KIPP Foundation. Valerie leads network-wide project teams to pursue key initiatives such as the development of KIPP's 2015 strategic priorities and the coordinated pursuit of large-scale public funding for the KIPP network. Valerie came to KIPP from McKinsey & Company where she led teams to develop strategies for leading institutions in the financial, technology and education sectors and helped launch McKinsey's Financial Inclusion Practice. Prior to McKinsey, Valerie worked as an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley in the Latin America and Real Estate groups and also served as weekly tutor at a local public school. Valerie holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an BA in Economics from Princeton University.   

Nolan Highbaugh, General Counsel

As General Counsel, Nolan provides legal counsel to the KIPP Foundation as well as KIPP schools and regional operations throughout the country. Prior to joining KIPP, Nolan worked as an Associate in the Public Finance Department of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. Before entering law school, Nolan was a Budget and Policy Analyst for both the Chief Administrative Office of Los Angeles County and the Office of Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. in the City and County of San Francisco. Nolan attended U.C. Berkeley where he earned a Bachelor's degree in International Political Economy and a Master's in Public Policy. He earned his JD from Stanford Law School and is a member of the California State Bar Association. His all-time favorite movie is The Godfather Part II.

Lisa Margosian, Chief Program Officer

As Chief Program Officer, Lisa is responsible for the KIPP Foundation's delivery of services to KIPP regions and schools. In this role she oversees a diverse range of programs and services including school growth and sustainability, recruitment and selection of network leaders, and support services such as finance, operations, real estate and board development. Lisa assumed this role in April 2009 and joined the KIPP Foundation in February 2008. She leverages over eighteen years of for-profit management experience with Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase. In addition to general management, Lisa's functional expertise includes sales, marketing, and service, and her focus was on rebuilding underperforming businesses. She has an MBA from Columbia University and a BS from Marquette University.

Tina Sachs, Chief Financial Officer

As CFO, Tina is responsible for overseeing the Accounting, Finance, Facilities and Event Services functions for the KIPP Foundation. Tina joined KIPP from the Jewish Community Federation where she served as General Fund Controller. She was previously an auditor for Deloitte and Touche focusing on large public retail companies, real estate companies, and non-profits in the Bay Area. Tina has a BA in accountancy from California State University, Northridge. Tina and her husband, John, have two children.

David Wick, Chief Development Officer

As Chief Development Officer, David is responsible for the KIPP Foundation's development operation. In addition, he oversees a number of key fundraising support functions to KIPP schools. Prior to joining KIPP, David served as Managing Director for Capital Giving within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. Prior to his management position, he was a Regional Director for Capital Giving at Harvard and also was an Annual Fund Officer for the University of Chicago. He has a Masters in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BA from Davidson College. David and his wife, Mieka, have one daughter, Annabelle, and a son, Samuel.

Kelly Wright, Chief Learning Officer

Prior to joining the KIPP Foundation, Kelly founded KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy in San Diego and was its principal for four years. Under her leadership, KIPP Adelante was named a California Distinguished School in 2006 and received the 2007 National Title I Distinguished School Award in California for most narrowing the achievement gap that year. Kelly has experience teaching in bilingual classrooms from third to eighth grades, and was the Director of Bilingual Programs at a charter school in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated with a BA from Carleton College in Latin American Studies and holds an EdM from Harvard University in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy. As Senior Learning Officer, Kelly works alongside the KIPP network's school leaders and aspiring leaders, facilitating opportunities for their professional growth, reflection, and development.