School Leadership

Director of Teaching and Learning

Read bio

Monica, the Director of Teaching and Learning at Mundo Verde, brings a wealth of diverse educational experience. Starting as a Fellow Teacher in kindergarten in the 2015-16 school year, she progressed to become a Lead Teacher in 5th grade. Monica's extensive background includes work at Universidad del Zulia in Venezuela, where she taught children, teenagers, and adults. Holding a diploma in Teaching Techniques and earning her PhD in Chemistry through studies in both Venezuela and Spain, Monica is dedicated to enriching the educational experience at Mundo Verde with her varied and comprehensive pedagogical expertise.

Sr. Director of Strategy and Impact

Read bio

Caitlin Campbell-Hahn is leading the searches for a Chief Academic Officer and a Chief of People and Culture, supporting the strategic planning process to start later this spring, and working with the Mundo Verde board of directors. Caitlin is a senior manager at Education Forward DC, a local education funder, where she supports the work of Ed Forward's schools, school support, and talent grantees to improve the quality of education in the city for underserved students. Caitlin has been partnering with Mundo Verde since 2018, when Ed Forward made a grant to support the launch of the Calle Ocho campus. Caitlin enjoys bringing a citywide lens to her work with grantees and her role on the board of Social Justice School. Prior to joining Ed Forward, Caitlin was a classroom teacher for seven years, most recently at E.L. Haynes and KIPP DC. She and her husband have two children, ages 3 and 5, who both attend bilingual schools.

Chief Finance & Operations Officer

Read bio

Maria-Jose brings over twenty years of leadership experience at the intersection of education, nonprofit management, and organizational development. Fluent in English and Spanish, Maria-Jose holds a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University and has been nationally recognized for her leadership in advocacy, diversity, and organizational growth. She has served in senior leadership roles in Washington, DC public charter schools, including Acting Executive Director at Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School and most recently as Chief Projects Officer at Creative Minds International, where she led schoolwide efforts that strengthened organizational capacity and improve outcomes for students.

Chief Academic Officer

Read bio

Katie Lundgren has spent over 10 years serving as the principal of Marie Reed Elementary School, a Title 1 Public School in Washington, DC serving ~ 470 students in both Dual Language (Spanish/English) and English Language Programs. Katie began her career as a third grade teacher in New Orleans, LA, before leading year-round after-school enrichment programs for public school middle school students at the Higher Achievement Program and later serving as an assistant principal within DPCS. During her tenure as Marie Reed’s principal, the school increased its enrollment by 35%, improved student performance on statewide standardized assessments by 28-percentage points (ELA) and 13-percentage points (Math), and was recognized on the OSSE 2024 School Report Card as one of the top 6 Title 1 schools in DC. 

Sr. Director of Students Success

Read bio

Brandan Persaud Dr. Brandan Persaud is an educational leader dedicated to creating inclusive, high-quality learning environments. A former special education teacher and middle school Assistant Principal, he most recently served as Director of Special Education for a D.C. elementary schools, where his work expanding co-teaching and inclusive practices led students with disabilities to exceed academic growth targets. Dr. Persaud holds a Doctor of Education from American University.

Chief of People and Culture

Read bio

Erin Pitts comes to Mundo Verde with over 15 years of experience in labor and employment law. After beginning her career as a public school teacher in Oakland, California, Erin worked as a labor and employment attorney at public interest law firms representing labor unions, individual union members, and plaintiffs in employment discrimination matters. Most recently, Erin held positions on the talent and legal teams at DC Public Schools and KIPP DC Public Charter Schools, where she designed talent systems, nurtured collaborative labor relations, spearheaded initiatives to enhance staff culture and wellbeing, ensured compliance with labor and employment law, and resolved thousands of employee relations concerns. Erin has been an active member of the Mundo Verde community for seven years, as the parent of a current student and recent graduate.

Extended Programs Director

Read bio

Gloria, Mundo Verde's Extended Day Program Director, brings a wealth of experience to her role, holding a master's in Sociocultural Anthropology from John Hopkins and a BA in political science from Swarthmore College. Her professional journey includes serving as Director of Operations at Multicultural Community Services and Executive Assistant to the Director at CentroNía. Gloria has also made significant contributions as a Program Specialist for Hispanas Unidas in Texas, where she developed a curriculum and taught in an after-school program, enhancing the self-esteem and life skills of middle school girls. Her commitment to education and creative program development is evident in her role at Mundo Verde, where she oversees Extended Day Programs and contributes to the school's enriching environment.

Director of Communications

Read bio

Diana, a vital member of Mundo Verde since 2013, holds over 15 years of expertise in marketing and business across non-profit organizations, multinational companies, and private businesses. Originally from Mexico City, Diana managed international volunteering programs as a Country Director for ProWorld Volunteer and led ecotourism workshops for indigenous communities. Before joining Mundo Verde, she served as an Outreach Coordinator at non-profit organizations, focusing on the Hispanic Community in DC. Diana holds a degree in Marketing with a specialization in Business Administration from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in México and a post-graduate degree in Sustainable Tourism from the University of Barcelona. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Diana brings cross-cultural understanding and strategic communications acumen to her role at Mundo Verde.

Sr. Director of Data & Academics

Read bio

Rodrigo, Mundo Verde's dedicated Director of Data and Accountability, brings extensive teaching experience to his role. Originally from Peru, Rodrigo earned his bachelor's in international political economy from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and a master's degree in Bilingual Education from American University. Rodrigo's commitment to educational equity was sparked during his AmeriCorps service with the Latin American Youth Center, where he worked in a dual-language classroom and tutored at Powell Elementary School in NW D.C. Additionally, Rodrigo has previous experience as a bilingual math intervention teacher, lead teacher in fourth and third grade, and as a classroom fellow in kindergarten, emphasizing his dedication to fostering a bilingual and diverse learning environment at Mundo Verde.

Executive Director

Read bio

Shalini Ananthanarayanan Shybut is a leader with two decades of experience in education, organizational management and leadership.  Prior to joining the Mundo Verde team as the Interim Chief of Staff in 2024, she was an independent coach and consultant supporting nonprofits with leadership development and strategy, and founded a cohort for nonprofit CEOs identifying as people of color in Washington, DC. Previously, she was a founding member and Partner of Schools and Talent Investments at Education Forward DC, DC’s largest PreK-12 education funding organization. In that role, Shalini led key efforts to increase investment in special education, mental health and race and equity at schools, school support organizations and city agencies in DC.  

Shalini first entered DC education as a leader at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, where she worked with principals to better serve students furthest from opportunity and helped the school expand with quality.  Earlier in her career, Shalini evaluated charters at the Recovery School District and worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. Shalini started her career as a fifth-grade teacher in a bilingual inclusion classroom in New York.  

Shalini holds an advanced certificate in bilingual childhood education, and has completed a PCC-level coaching certification program and training on coaching through trauma. She is a first generation Indian-American who lives in Washington, DC’s Ward 4 community with her husband and three children, all of whom have attended Mundo Verde’s Calle Ocho campus since it opened.  She currently serves on the board of SchoolTalk DC, and has previously served on multiple DC charter school boards, including at DC International School.  In her spare time, you can find her with her family, in her native plant garden, or attempting to play piano at least as well as her children.

Sr. Manager, Social Emotional Learning

Read bio

Kay Stokes is a strategy-driven education leader with over 20 years of experience advancing innovative school programs that strengthen Social Emotional Learning (SEL), professional development, and accreditation principles. A certified School Principal and Administrator, she served as a school leader in Washington, D.C., where she helped one of the city’s first charter schools adopt the EL Education model and integrate SEL into daily instruction. Internationally, she partnered with the Abu Dhabi Education Council to redesign special education across 35 schools and later became the first African American Chief Academic Officer of Omega Schools in Ghana, where she developed a leadership model that transformed instruction across 38 schools. Kay also serves as an Adjunct Professor, is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and  panelist for the International Association Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Co-Principal

Read bio

Kata has been an active member of the Mundo Verde community since 2015, working as a lead teacher in upper and lower grades and collaborating with various school projects. Furthermore, she has worked as a special education teacher and taught Spanish as a second language in institutions focused on languages. Kata's background includes over seven years of teaching experience in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Currently, Co-Principal Kata has a master's degree in International Education. She received her bachelor’s degree in Education from the Pedagogical University of Colombia and has participated in numerous trainings with Responsive Classroom, expeditionary learning education, and child psychology.

Co-Principal

Read bio

Natalie, a dedicated educator with two decades of experience in various educational roles, brings her passion and expertise to the vibrant community of Mundo Verde as Co-Principal. Her career has encompassed teaching in public and charter schools, serving as a General Education and Special Education Teacher, ELA and Math Instructional Coach, Testing Coordinator, and most recently as an Assistant Principal. Natalie's diverse background has allowed her to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders to enhance student achievement and promote social-emotional well-being. As a first-generation American with Jamaican roots, born and raised in Florida, she deeply values equity, diversity, and stewardship. Her educational philosophy centers on the unwavering belief that every student can excel in a positive learning environment supported by a dedicated academic team, strong leadership, and engaged families. Natalie is a lifelong learner, holding degrees from Howard University, Concordia University, and St. Thomas University, where she is nearing completion of her doctorate in Leadership and Innovation.

Assistant Principal Students Success

Read bio

With over 20 years of experience in special education and school leadership, Maggie is dedicated to creating inclusive, caring environments where students thrive academically and socially-emotionally. Her career spans key roles across Washington, D.C., and Costa Rica—including serving as Director of Special Education, Assistant Director at Monteverde Friends School, and founding Two Rivers PCS’s first middle school self-contained classroom. Having also held special education leadership roles at Monument Academy, E.L. Haynes, and Kingsbury Day School, Maggie is passionate about strengthening school systems, supporting educators, and serving diverse learners.

Instructional Coach - Early Childhood

Read bio

Marta serves as a Pre-K Instructional Coach at Mundo Verde, where she has been part of the community since 2015 as a Teaching Fellow and Lead Teacher. Before moving to the United States, she taught in Colombia’s public schools, leading mathematics classes and implementing project-based curricula for elementary and high school students. Marta also worked as an ecological activist on projects for erosion control, reforestation, and solid waste management, and has tutored students in math and science. She holds a bachelor’s in Forest Engineering from District University and a degree in Mathematics from Pedagogical University, both in Bogotá, Colombia.

Campus Operations Manager

Read bio

Francisco serves as Operations Manager at Mundo Verde, bringing extensive experience in administration and management across commercial and nonprofit organizations. He previously worked as Logistics Manager at Ikea (College Park) and at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Francisco earned a BA in Business Administration (Information Systems and Computers) and a master’s in Management Information Systems and Administration from Sacred Heart University in Santurce, PR. He values education, inclusion, equity, and diversity, and has a lifelong passion for singing and theater.

Instructional Coach K-5 Biliteracy

Read bio

Sara is excited to join Mundo Verde, bringing extensive experience in bilingual education, instructional coaching, and school leadership. Originally from Delaware, Sara began her career in bilingual education in Dallas in 2007 and has since served school communities across Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Oahu, Hawaii. With over a decade of leadership experience, she is passionate about building strong learning communities, supporting educators, and advancing Mundo Verde’s commitment to bilingualism and compassionate global stewardship. Sara holds a B.S. in Education and Public Policy from the University of Delaware and an M.Ed. from George Mason University.

Instructional Coach K-5 Math

Read bio

Ashley T. Walton is a Washington, D.C. native, educator, and leadership coach with over 12 years of experience. A proud product of D.C. public charter schools, she has partnered with districts nationwide and held leadership roles with Relay Graduate School of Education, TNTP, and SchoolKit Group to strengthen instructional leadership and scale high-quality curriculum. Ashley holds a Master of Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor’s in English from Spelman College. She believes strong schools are built through authentic relationships, courageous leadership, and a deep commitment to children, families, and communities.

Instructional Coach - Early Childhood

Read bio

Natalia first joined Mundo Verde in 2015 as a lead teacher, bringing over 17 years of experience to Mundo Verde. She has previously taught 3rd-6th grades in Argentina and worked with PreK-5th grade students in the United States. Born in the United States and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Natalia firmly believes in building knowledge based on the needs of each child. Natalia has a degree in Primary Education from the National University of Santiago del Estero, a master's degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from the UDIMA University in Madrid, and a diploma in Climate Management and Institutional Culture, from the Polytechnic of South America. She is an ontological coach with a specialization in emotional intelligence and has an NLP certification, and also serves as an executive mentor for the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Instructional Coach K-5 Biliteracy

Read bio

Allie is a passionate, solutions-oriented instructional leader with over 15 years of experience in elementary, bilingual, and equity-focused education. As a founding teacher and former Dean of Academics for the Upper Academy at Mundo Verde’s Calle Ocho Campus, she brings extensive expertise in building curriculum, supporting multilingual learners, and fostering culturally responsive, project-based environments. Her leadership background includes participation in the OSSE School Leader Collaborative and DCCSA New Instructional Leaders cohort. Allie holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a Bachelor’s in Policy Studies and Sociology from Syracuse University.

Co-Principal

Read bio

Michelle as Co-Principal, brings over seven years of experience. She has served as an assistant principal and school administrator at LAMB PCS in DC, supporting teachers, students, and families through significant school transitions, including building changes, leadership shifts, and the challenges of a pandemic. Michelle's dedication to public education, particularly bilingual education and English learners, began as a second-grade teacher in a bilingual school in the New York City Public Schools. Throughout her career, she has worked at various levels to promote strong curriculum practices and foster inclusive learning environments. Michelle holds a master's in Education from Fordham University and a J.D. degree from Yale Law School.

Instructional Coach K-5 Math

Read bio

Michelle Milberger returns to Mundo Verde as Math Instructional Coach after first joining the school as a Kindergarten teacher during the SY2020–21. Holding a Master’s in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins and 10+ years in bilingual education, her rich background includes Peace Corps service in Ecuador, a Fulbright award in Spain, dual-language teaching, and coaching with City Teaching Alliance. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Michelle brings a relationship-centered approach to supporting teachers and fostering curious, lifelong learners.

Co-Principal

Read bio

Liz, originally from Peru and serving as Co-Principal, embodies dedication to academic excellence and community leadership. She earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Spanish from the University of Delaware and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Since 2008, Liz has been serving as a leading educator in Washington, D.C. She began teaching as a Spanish Foreign Language teacher with Center City Public Charter Schools. Liz started as a PreK teacher with Mundo Verde in our founding year. While at Mundo Verde, she has served as a lead teacher across different grades, as a Summer Program Director, and as a Leading Educators Fellow. In 2019, Liz joined Urban Teachers as an Instructional Coach, supporting first-year teachers across both DC Public and DC Charter Schools. She has also utilized her expertise as an adjunct professor, teaching graduate-level education courses at Johns Hopkins University.

Assistant Principal of Student Success

Read bio

Rebecca Rodgers serves as Assistant Principal of Student Success at Mundo Verde’s Calle Ocho Campus. With over a decade of experience as a teacher and leader in D.C. schools, Rebecca is dedicated to building inclusive, student-centered support systems that ensure equitable access for all learners. She holds Master’s degrees in Elementary and Special Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor’s from James Madison University. Passionate about educational equity, Ms. Rodgers loves partnering with families and staff.

Campus Operations Manager

Read bio

Katherine serves as Operations Manager at Mundo Verde, where she previously worked as Office Manager and Extended Day Coordinator. She brings several years of experience in school settings and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Pennsylvania State University World Campus. Passionate about supporting students and her community.