Dr. Karen Maldonado Joins Latinos for Education to Serve As Chief Program and Innovation Officer
Dr. Maldonado will provide oversight around K-16 partnerships, program development, and organizational strategy.
Boston, MA – Latinos for Education announced today that Karen Maldonado joined the organization as Chief Program and Innovation Officer, where she will lead the vision, design, and evolution of the organization’s national programs aimed at increasing the voice and leadership of Latinos within the education sector. Karen formerly led education reform initiatives for the Financial Oversight and Management Board of Puerto Rico (FOMBPR), where she worked with the Puerto Rico Department of Education to implement system-wide best practices across all public schools on the island.
As Latinos for Education’s first Chief Program and Innovation Officer, Karen will provide oversight around K-16 partnerships, program development, and organizational strategy. She will also work with the policy and advocacy team to advance policies that expand educational opportunities for Latino students and educators, oversee the growing alumni base and network of more than 5,000 Latino fellows and leaders nationwide, and support the organization’s expansion to more states. Karen’s previous experience includes creating and implementing a roadmap to improve outcomes for K-12 students in Puerto Rico.
“From ensuring every public school in Puerto Rico is designed to help children reach their full potential, to serving as the founding principal of the first bilingual secondary school in the Bronx, I have devoted my professional career to ensuring Latino students have the same opportunities as their peers to excel in the classroom,” said Karen Maldonado. “Now, as part of Latinos for Education, I’m ready to combine my expertise with the organization’s rapid growth to ensure our education system is meeting the needs of all Latino students, teachers and families.”
As part of her commitment to education reform, Karen launched the inaugural cohort of the Puerto Rico Education Leadership Development Program (PRELDP), a collaborative learning opportunity to support mid-career level staff at FOMBPR so they can meaningfully impact and improve Puerto Rico’s education system.
“On behalf of the entire Latinos for Education team, we are both honored and excited to continue to work alongside Karen in her new role of Chief Program and Innovation Officer,” said Amanda Fernandez, Founder and CEO of Latinos for Education. “As a former board member, Karen has seen our organization grow exponentially. From expanding our programs across the country to continuing to bolster our base of alumni, Fellows and educators, Karen’s expertise and leadership will help us not only continue this growth, but also innovate with programs to reach our growing Latino network.”
Before her time in Puerto Rico, Karen served as an Executive Director for the New York City Department of Education. She is a graduate of the inaugural cohort of Harvard’s Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) program, Fordham University (MS), City of New York at Hunter College (MA) and the State University of New York at Binghamton University (BA).
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About Latinos for Education:
Latinos for Education is a national education non-profit organization focused on developing, placing, and connecting essential Latino talent in the education sector. The organization is mobilizing a network of skilled education leaders to ensure the voice of students and families is not only heard but factored into decision-making in schools, communities, and education institutions throughout the U.S. The organization also ensures Latino education professionals have access to a nationwide network of peers as well as career and professional development opportunities across the country through the members-only EdCentro network. For more information visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org.
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