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< Back Molly Ness Associate Dr. Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. She holds a doctorate in reading education from the University of Virginia, and she spent 16 years as an associate professor at Fordham University. She previously directed the University of Virginia’s McGuffey Reading Clinic. With five books and numerous peer-reviewed articles, her research focuses on reading comprehension, teachers’ instructional decisions, and dyslexia. Dr. Ness serves on the Board of Directors for the International Literacy Association, and is a founding member of the New York chapter of the Reading League. She currently serves as an adjunct professor for Brooklyn College’s Advanced Certification in the Science of Reading. She also serves on the New York City Mayor’s literacy advisory council.

Board Governance Training Boards and their executive leaders, such as Superintendents, inherently fulfill distinct yet pivotal roles within an organization. The hallmark of truly successful and impactful organizations lies in their ability to perceive the Board and Superintendent not as isolated entities but as integral components of a cohesive "leadership team." By fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and clear communication, these organizations harness the collective expertise and vision of both entities to drive strategic growth and operational excellence. Recognizing the nuances and complexities of Board-Superintendent dynamics, our expertise enables us to guide organizations, irrespective of their current relationship status, toward establishing a robust framework for success and clarity. Through strategic alignment, tailored strategies, and collaborative facilitation, we empower Boards and Superintendents to transcend traditional boundaries, leverage their unique strengths, and work synergistically toward achieving shared goals and objectives. By cultivating a harmonious and strategic partnership, organizations can navigate challenges more effectively, capitalize on opportunities, and cultivate a culture of trust, transparency, and transformative leadership. Effective conversations surrounding board governance are most impactful when facilitated by individuals who command credibility with both the superintendent and Board of Education members. Our team uniquely embodies this dual perspective, comprising seasoned school executives and experienced Board of Education chairs, ensuring a nuanced and balanced approach to governance dynamics. Drawing upon our wealth of experience, we excel in establishing leadership and behavioral norms, fortifying existing positive relationships, or resolving challenges related to trust, performance, or role clarity. Our specialized expertise encompasses: Role Clarity: Defining and delineating clear roles and responsibilities for both the superintendent and Board members. Expectation Alignment: Calibrating expectations among stakeholders to foster mutual understanding and collaboration. Evaluation Frameworks: Designing comprehensive and cohesive evaluation tools for superintendent performance assessment. Conflict Resolution: Facilitating constructive dialogue and mediation to address and resolve governance-related conflicts effectively. Board Development: Orchestrating impactful retreats and team-building experiences to enhance cohesion, collaboration, and strategic alignment among Board members. By leveraging our multifaceted expertise and collaborative approach, we empower educational institutions to navigate complex governance challenges, cultivate productive relationships, and drive organizational excellence and student success. Schedule Your FREE Confidential Consultation OUR PROMISE We understand that our clients are not just districts and schools, but ultimately the students that they are designed to serve. As fellow educators, we are committed to acting with integrity, honesty, a nd transp arency. Zeal is unlike any other consulting firm because we guarantee complete and total satisfaction on any service we provide, or we will start over. Learn more about our other services: Superintendent Searches Attract the most ideal candidates for those key positions Learn More Team Building Bring the best out of your team for optimal performance Learn More Strategic Planning Develop a one-page plan that is actionable and impactful Learn More Leadership Coaching Bespoke coaching for all levels of leadership Learn More

< Back Christopher Nagy Senior Associate Dr. Christopher Nagy is a thought leader, educational futurist, and content creator with accomplishments across various leadership roles. For the past 10 years, Chris has served as the superintendent of schools in a high-performing school district in the Northeast. Beyond his work in K-12 schools, Chris teaches masters and doctoral-level courses on Innovation and Technology Integration, Strategic Marketing with Social Media and Branding, Educational Leadership, Diversity, and Multicultural Perspectives and Policy. He is also the author of a book, numerous articles, and a blog. Chris serves on the Board of Directors for one of the largest chambers of commerce in New Jersey where he is dedicated to building education and business partnerships, technology integration, leadership capacity, and support for diversity, equity and inclusion. Dr. Nagy has also served on the NJ State Board of Education Board of Examiners where he led the legal committee and served as a coach and mentor to many aspiring educators and administrators. As a lifelong learner, Chris earned his doctoral degree in administration and leadership from Widener University as well as Masters degrees in Educational Leadership and Theology respectively from Lehigh University and the St. Thomas Aquinas University in Rome, Italy. As an undergraduate, Chris earned degrees in Philosophy and Theology from St. John Lateran University in Rome, Italy, and he is also certified in Applied Positive Psychology from the Flourishing Center in New York City. Dr. Nagy was recently recognized as the Emerging Leader of the Year by the Burlington County Times and Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and received the Voice of Business Award for Personal Excellence. His district was recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education as a Lighthouse District for Equity.

< Back Bill de la Cruz Associate Bill de la Cruz, MBA, is an inspiring leader who has been guiding individuals and groups through the process of personal transformation as a mediator, presenter, keynote speaker and facilitator for 30 years. He delivers and facilitates leadership development, bias awareness, and bias deconstruction workshops across the country. Bill has developed his programs and workshops to help individuals, groups, and organizations to build self-awareness, enhance relationships and support to foster positive, sustainable personal and leadership growth. These steps lead to a more diverse, and inclusive organizational culture. Bill has been on his own personal growth journey for more than 40 years which inspired him to develop specific practices designed to help create positive, lasting change. Bill has published two books including, “Finding the Origination Point, Understanding Our Biases to Create a More Peaceful World.” Bill’s book supports people in working through blame, shame, and judgment through an acceptance of our shared humanity. By using self-awareness to normalize the bias conversation, we increase our understanding of the experiential and emotional origination point and narratives of personal bias. The origin point of our biases is the point of understanding and healing. Normalizing bias conversations allows us to talk about how our past experiences play a role in our personal interactions. Bill uses the processes in Finding the Origination Point conversations to talk about personal influence, the power of narratives and daily practices to disrupt life patterns that no longer serve us in our personal and professional lives. The Origination Point also explores the connection of how individual biased experiences are transferred into communities, organizations, schools, and human cultures. Bill’s second book, Flipping Failure: A Blueprint for Self-Growth and Transformation , is a book that is designed as a facilitated process to promote personal growth and sustainable change.

< Back Katherine Stahl Associate Dr. Katherine A. Dougherty Stahl is a literacy consultant who focuses on translating research into practice. Before entering academia, Dr. Stahl taught in public elementary school classrooms for over 25 years. She was Clinical Professor of Reading at New York University (2006-2021), where she taught graduate courses and served as Director of both the Literacy Program and NYU Literacy Clinic. As a consortium member of the NYS RTI/MTSS Demonstration School Projects (K-5 2010-2015; Middle School 2015-2020)., Dr. Stahl worked with school reform efforts across the state of New York. She is the author or coauthor of many articles, chapters, and books, including the widely used “ Assessment for Reading Instruction .” Dr. Stahl is a recipient of the Jeanne Chall Visiting Researcher Award from Harvard University and the Teaching Excellence Award from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University.

Fine Arts Audits At Zeal Education Group, we know that arts education is more than an enrichment—it’s a core component of student identity, expression, and engagement. Whether it’s visual art, music, dance, or theater, strong fine arts programs contribute to school culture, foster creativity, and support academic achievement. Yet many districts lack a clear understanding of how equitable, accessible, and effective their arts programs truly are. Our Fine Arts Audit helps schools and districts take stock of what’s working, what’s missing, and where to invest. By examining curriculum, participation, resources, and community feedback, we support school leaders in elevating arts education as a strategic priority—and an essential part of a well-rounded student experience. Our Approach: Program & Curriculum Assessment: We review existing fine arts offerings—including visual arts, music, dance, and theater—to evaluate alignment with national and state standards, instructional rigor, and accessibility across grade levels. We assess enrollment trends and identify equity gaps in student participation. Resource & Facility Analysis: Zeal examines staffing levels, scheduling practices, facility access, and budgets dedicated to fine arts. We assess whether current resources meet the needs of students and staff, and provide recommendations to enhance instruction and learning environments. Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy: Through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we engage students, families, educators, and community members to gather insights and elevate support for arts education. We also help districts build strategic advocacy plans to expand and sustain programming. Strategic Recommendations: Our team synthesizes findings into a clear, actionable report with recommendations tailored to your district’s goals, challenges, and values—empowering leaders to strengthen arts programming through short- and long-term improvements. By partnering with Zeal Education Group, your school or district can ensure that fine arts programs are equitable, high-quality, and aligned to your broader educational vision—providing every student with the opportunity to explore, create, and thrive. Schedule Your FREE Confidential Consultation OUR PROMISE We understand that our clients are not just districts and schools, but ultimately the students that they are designed to serve. As fellow educators, we are committed to acting with integrity, honesty, and transparency. Zeal is unlike any other consulting firm because we guarantee complete and total satisfaction on any service we provide, or we will start over. Learn more about our other services: Technology Modernize your infrastructure to future standards Learn More Special Education & MTSS Identify the strengths and opportunities that will improve your programs Learn More Organizational Effectiveness Clarify roles and responsibilities to promote a stronger organization Learn More Board Policy Still have policies from the 80's? We can help! Learn More

< Back Nicole Elliott Associate Nicole P. Elliott initially earned a BS degree in Aerospace Studies from the esteemed Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Simultaneously, she privately pursued and achieved a Commercial Helicopter pilot license and Certified Flight Instructor rating, forging a distinctive path. However, the trajectory of her career took an unforeseen turn in the aftermath of 9/11, igniting a profound passion for education. This pivotal shift in her "flight" path led Nicole to discover her true calling. It was during her early experiences at a private boarding school for at-risk youth that she realized her niche in supporting individuals with diverse needs. This revelation laid the foundation for her dedicated career, where she became an experienced educator and administrator with over two decades of diverse educational experience. Nicole is committed to enriching educational experiences for students with special needs, specializing in inclusive learning environments. She offers comprehensive services for students with special needs, supports families navigating special education processes, and provides coaching and professional development for educators and administrators. During her tenure at HelloHero in New York, NY, Nicole showcased versatile leadership within the virtual workplace, initially as the Associate Director of School Operations and later as the Director of Student Services. She excelled in optimizing efficiency and effectiveness in operational functions and successfully managing nationwide special education programs. Nicole streamlined processes and procedures, ensuring compliance and accountability for the required services and support. As the Director of Student Services at Colorado Connections Academy, Nicole showcased exceptional dedication and skill in overseeing Special Population Services. Her meticulous attention to detail ensured outstanding compliance ratings exceeding 97% in Special Education reporting and documentation, highlighting her commitment to excellence. Throughout her career, Nicole has held various educational leadership roles, including Assistant Principal at Middle Park High School (Granby, CO), Special Education & Federal Programs Director at Teton School District #401 (Driggs, ID), Principal at Moultonborough Academy (Moultonborough, NH), and Basin Alternative High School Principal (Driggs, ID). Her commitment to academic excellence is evident in her diverse leadership experiences. Additionally, as a dedicated board member for Granby Playdays from 2019 to 2020, Nicole actively shaped policies and initiatives, prioritizing the well-being and educational growth of children aged 3 to 5. Collaborating with fellow board members, educators, and parents, she contributed to creating a nurturing environment for young learners, championing the importance of early education and ensuring a joyful start to their educational journey. Nicole's commitment to professional development is reflected in her educational journey, holding an Ed.S. in Educational Administration from Northwest Nazarene University, an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Idaho, and a B.S. in Aerospace Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. With a unique blend of educational expertise, strategic leadership, and a passion for inclusivity, Nicole P. Elliott is a valuable asset in supporting teams and achieving organizational goals within the field of educational consulting.

< Back Jillian Bumpus Associate Dr. Jillian M. Bumpus is a nationally recognized Career and Technical Education (CTE) and workforce development strategist with more than 20 years of experience guiding schools, state agencies, and postsecondary institutions in building career-connected learning systems that lead to sustainable employment outcomes. Bumpus has led large-scale consulting initiatives across New York State and nationally, specializing in CTE program design, Perkins V implementation, Comprehensive Local Needs Assessments (CLNA), faculty development, and work-based learning innovation. Her expertise lies in helping educational organizations align curriculum, policy, and labor-market data to create pathways that prepare students for high-demand careers. She has provided technical assistance to districts, BOCES, workforce boards, and colleges to strengthen CTE pipelines, enhance data reporting systems, and build effective advisory boards that meet both industry and compliance standards. During the pandemic, Dr. Bumpus pioneered “On the Job Solutions,” a virtual work-based learning model that used real-time, body-camera technology to connect students with professionals on live job sites. This innovation allowed schools to meet state work-based learning requirements while providing students with meaningful, hands-on engagement during remote instruction. The model was successfully piloted in multiple schools and has since been recognized as a best practice for virtual experiential learning. A former Dean of Instruction and CTE Technical Assistance Provider for the New York State CTE Technical Assistance Center, Dr. Bumpus has developed and delivered professional learning programs for educators in curriculum alignment, project-based learning, and evidence-based teaching strategies. Her work has consistently improved faculty retention, student engagement, and post-graduation outcomes. Dr. Bumpus holds a Doctorate in Human and Organizational Psychology from Touro University, where her research explored the impact of CTE availability on students’ job skill behaviors and attitudes. She also holds an MBA from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a B.S. in Organizational Management from Nyack College. Known for her practical, systems-level approach, Dr. Bumpus is a sought-after speaker and thought leader at state and national conferences, including SkillsUSA, SAiL, and NACE.

< Back Matthew Friedman Senior Associate Called into education, Dr. Matthew Friedman entered the field over 25 years ago as a high school social studies teacher in the Penn Hills School District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was sworn in as superintendent of the Quakertown Community School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on July 5, 2023. Dr. Friedman has accumulated a wealth of experience and gained the respect of colleagues and peers while advancing in his career. He has held positions of increasing responsibility over the years, serving as assistant principal, chief academic officer, assistant superintendent, and, most recently, superintendent of the Ocean City School District in New Jersey. Known for his dedication to students and families, Dr. Friedman is recognized for the tremendous strides he has made in implementing successful and innovative programs for students to improve their performance in pursuing college or a career. He is committed to building on best practices to ensure that current and future students have opportunities to explore their interests and find their true passions. Additionally, Dr. Friedman has extensive experience teaching at several major universities in the schools of education, providing instruction to individuals seeking careers in educational leadership positions. With a passion to teach educators and administrators, Dr. Friedman has an ongoing quest to cultivate strong leaders both in and out of the classroom to help mold the future leaders of our schools.  Dr. Friedman received a doctorate in educational leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University, master’s degree in public policy and management and educational leadership from Carnegie Mellon University, master’s degree of science education from Duquesne University, and bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Pittsburgh.

< Back Deborah Wortham Senior Associate Dr. Deborah L. Wortham is a nationally recognized educational leader, executive coach, and best-selling author whose career spans more than four decades of transformative service in public education. Deborah currently provides executive coaching to superintendents across the country through Leading Now and the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative. Dr. Wortham summarized her career in Baltimore, Maryland, by serving as the Area Academic Officer overseeing 24 high schools in Baltimore City Public Schools and coordinator of the nationally recognized Success for All. That success led to serving as Superintendent of Schools in five school districts across New York and Pennsylvania, including a historic tenure as the first African American female superintendent of the East Ramapo Central School District, where she led all 12 K–8 schools to “Good Standing” status. She is celebrated for her capacity to set a tone of excellence, cultivate collaborative school cultures, and inspire lasting academic improvement. Most recently, she led the Roosevelt Union Free School District out of state oversight (2015) and again into a new era of success before retiring in 2024. A native of Chicago and a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Dr. Wortham holds advanced degrees from Morgan State University and Nova Southeastern University, including an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. She received a certification as an executive coach from the University of Pennsylvania and is a sought-after speaker on leadership, the leader’s role in creating a culture of excellence, transformation, faith, and educational reform. Her latest book, Setting the Atmosphere: Beliefs, Practices, and Protocols for Faith-Filled Educational Leaders, was featured in AASA’s Administrator Journal and lauded for its bold vision of spiritually grounded leadership in schools. She is also the co-author of the acclaimed STEM Century: It Takes a Village to Raise a 21st-Century Graduate. Dr. Wortham is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2025 Women to Watch, 2022 Sojourner Truth Award, and the Kujichagulia Leadership Award, as well as recognition as the 2024 National Finalist for the AASA Women in School Leadership/Superintendent Award. She has been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Educators in New York State and continues to mentor emerging leaders across the nation.

< Back Versha Munshi-South Associate Versha Munshi-South is the Chief of Staff at Amplify and Elevate Innovation. She is a seasoned leadership coach and strategic advisor dedicated to supporting senior education leaders and their teams in driving transformational change. At AE&I, Versha guides work in advancing the organization’s mission through AI-informed executive leadership coaching, professional development, policy and curriculum design, and AI-powered workshops for families and students—all while keeping human connection at the heart of learning. With more than two decades of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and principal, Versha has a proven record of improving student outcomes. She carried her background in data-driven, goal-aligned leadership into her role as a Director at the national nonprofit TNTP, where she led large-scale consulting projects for state agencies, school districts, and charter networks. Her key projects included revising the district-wide leader evaluation model for Providence Public Schools, directing a K–12 curriculum audit for Hartford Public Schools, and designing multi-year leadership development programs for aspiring, new, and veteran school leaders. A graduate of the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), Versha extends her commitment to service through roles such as Community Advisory Board Member for the School + State Finance Project and campaign volunteer in local and state elections. She previously served as Vice President and Chair of the Teaching, Learning, and Community Committee on the Stamford Public Schools Board of Education. A proud mother of two teenagers, Versha’s personal and professional life is guided by her dedication to building thriving communities where all students can succeed.

< Back Michael Brownstein Associate Over the last 25 years, Michael Brownstein has championed educational excellence, organizational growth, and fairness in education. He has held senior leadership roles at educational nonprofits like Virtual Enterprises International and Year Up, dedicated to improving educational outcomes and strategic development. Michael has led initiatives that significantly enhanced curriculum development, instructional quality, and organizational effectiveness. He also has forged vital partnerships between education programs and industries, empowering youth (ages 16-24) with in-demand workplace skills. Michael believes that strategic planning, strong leadership, and robust partnerships are essential for driving success in education. Known for his ability to facilitate difficult conversations constructively, Michael helps stakeholders tackle challenges directly, fostering open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving to reduce educational disparities and promote equitable opportunities for all students. Michael holds an Ed.M. from Teachers College, Columbia University, an M.B.A. from Syracuse University, and a B.A. from Kenyon College. His community involvement includes serving on advisory boards such as the Police Civilian Advisory Board Study Group, and the Boston Day & Evening Academy, underscoring his commitment to educational excellence and fairness.