SESI is led by a team of individuals focused on educating and serving students with special academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. The dedication, experience, and vision of our leadership team enable students to thrive within the classroom and beyond.
Andrea VargasPresident
Andrea joined SESI in July 2004 and, as president, is responsible for the growth and development of SESI’s special education and MORE>
Andrea Vargas
President
Andrea joined SESI in July 2004 and, as president, is responsible for the growth and development of SESI’s special education and alternative education programs. Andrea previously served as SESI’s chief financial officer (CFO), controller, chief accounting officer, and vice president of finance. Andrea earned her Master of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting/Management and her Master of Education with a focus on Special Education from the University of Hartford and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant College.
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Dave WoodSenior Vice President, Special Education – East
Since 2016, Dave has served as SESI’s senior vice president of business development, responsible for the development and MORE>
Dave Wood
Senior Vice President, Special Education – East
Since 2016, Dave has served as SESI’s senior vice president of business development, responsible for the development and maintenance of SESI business partners. During the previous six years, Dave served as SESI’s chief school director of alternative education. He previously worked as director of program development for The Camelot Schools of PA, LLC, and as director of operations and national director of public education for The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Big Bend. Dave earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Lock Haven University.
Grace Losada, Ed.D.Senior Vice President, Special Education – West
Grace Losada joined SESI in September 2020 with over 20 years of experience working with diverse student populations. MORE>
Grace Losada, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President, Special Education – West
Grace Losada joined SESI in September 2020 with over 20 years of experience working with diverse student populations. Previously, she served as the Vice President of Education at Fusion Education Group (FEG) through high growth and change. She was also the co-founder and owner of Kokua Mentoring, an educational therapy practice serving families in Boca Raton, Florida. Committed to giving back, she proudly serves on the board of See Beneath, Inc., a nonprofit whose mission is to engage and educate children with autism. Having spent time working as a mental health clinician and a special education teacher, Grace believes in a holistic approach to education.
Joseph Carter, Ed.D.Senior Vice President, Operations – Alternative Education
Prior to joining SESI in his role as senior vice president, operations – alternative education in 2020, Joe began working with Camelot MORE>
Joseph Carter
Senior Vice President, Operations – Alternative Education
Prior to joining SESI in his role as senior vice president, operations – alternative education in 2020, Joe began working with Camelot Education in 2004 and served as superintendent of schools, overseeing the daily operations of Camelot’s Alternative Education and Therapeutic Day School Programs. He earned his Doctor of Education from the University of Houston, is a certified principal and superintendent, and holds certifications in special education and English as a Second Language in multiple states.
Diane Myers, Ph.D.Senior Vice President, Special Education – Behavior
Diane joined SESI in February 2020. She leads behavioral initiatives across SESI and oversees implementation of the CASE approach MORE>
Diane Myers, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Special Education – Behavior
Diane joined SESI in February 2020. She leads behavioral initiatives across SESI and oversees implementation of the CASE approach (SESI’s multi-tiered behavioral support system). Prior to joining SESI, Diane served as a professor of Special Education at Texas Woman’s University; her academic career began at Assumption College in Massachusetts. Her professional and scholarly expertise focus on positive behavioral interventions and supports, students with emotional and behavioral disorders, and staff implementation of evidence-based practices to support the needs of all students; she has co-authored two books and multiple journal articles on these topics. Diane earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Connecticut and her M.S. and teaching certification in special education from Southern Connecticut State University.
Ellen Gaske, Ed.D.Senior Vice President, Academics
Dr. Ellen Gaske has served as SESI’s senior vice president of academics since 2014, overseeing the academic needs of students MORE>
Ellen Gaske, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President, Academics
Dr. Ellen Gaske has served as SESI’s senior vice president of academics since 2014, overseeing the academic needs of students in SESI programs. Ellen developed the model and process for Assessment, Curriculum & Instruction (ACI) for SESI programs. She leads the ACI Team in development of process tools for implementation of the model, professional development, and teacher training in specialized interventions related to High Leverage Practices in Special Education. Previously, Ellen served in various roles for SESI since 1998, when she opened High Road Academy in Howard County, Maryland as program director. Ellen then went on to serve as executive director and chief school director of nine mid-Maryland programs. She has also served as an instructor at Johns Hopkins University. Ellen earned her Ed.D. in Special Education and Learning Disabilities from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in Communicative Disorders from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education from the University of Maryland. Ellen served a 4-year term on the Maryland Association of Special Education Facilities (MANSEF) Board. Ellen currently serves as member of the University of Maryland Board of Visitors for the School of Education.
Sophie LubcherNational Director of Enrollment
Sophie joined SESI in 2020 as the national director of enrollment. She received her Juris Doctor (JD) from Rutgers Law School after MORE>
Sophie Lubcher
National Director of Enrollment
Sophie joined SESI in 2020 as the national director of enrollment. She received her Juris Doctor (JD) from Rutgers Law School after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Finance from Rutgers University School of Business. She came to SESI with more than eight years of experience in leading national field-based and cross-functional teams, resulting in successful brand growth. Her responsibilities at SESI include the development and execution of the enrollment strategy. She is responsible for growing SESI’s special education and alternative education programs across the country and ensuring field enrollment activities and initiatives are fully optimized and executed. Her focus on program growth is to ensure that the most vulnerable students are served and set up for success in education and life.
Monique RobinsonVice President, Corporate Development and Operations
Monique joined SESI in 2021 as the vice president of corporate development and operations. In this role, Monique leads MORE>
Monique Robinson
Vice President, Corporate Development and Operations
Monique joined SESI in 2021 as the vice president of corporate development and operations. In this role, Monique leads division-wide strategic initiatives with specific emphasis on new program development, acquisition integration, and overall operations strategy. Monique has spent her 20-year career with a focus on children and youth services, first working at non-profit organizations, then as a high school math teacher, and later as an Education Pioneers Graduate Fellow at the George W. Bush Institute. For the last decade, she has been a leader in school system operations, with roles as school operations director and director of the Project Management Office for Uplift Education, and most recently as a senior director of strategy and operations with Relay Graduate School of Education. Monique holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Michigan State University.
Emily FizerVice President, Recruiting
Emily joined the SESI team in 2020 as the vice president of recruitment. In this role, Emily leads, develops, and executes overall MORE>
Emily Fizer
Vice President, Recruiting
Emily joined the SESI team in 2020 as the vice president of recruitment. In this role, Emily leads, develops, and executes overall talent strategy with a specific focus on recruitment, selection, retention, and development. Prior to this role, Emily spent the last decade committed to expanding educational opportunities for all students. She began her career as a Teach For America corps member, where she taught middle school humanities in Los Angeles. After working as a teacher, instructional coach, community organizer, and recruiter she led talent efforts for KIPP SoCal Public Schools as their associate director of talent acquisition. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from UCLA and master’s degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University.
Salem Valentino, Ph.D.Vice President of Research and Evaluation
As vice president of research and evaluation, Dr. Salem Valentino is responsible for leading all research and evaluation work related MORE>
Salem Valentino, Ph.D.
Vice President, Research and Evaluation
As vice president of research and evaluation, Dr. Salem Valentino is responsible for leading all research and evaluation work related to the success of our programs. She has extensive experience in this area, including national director roles with Summer Search and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and research manager for University of Pennsylvania Emergency Care Policy Research Group. She has also conducted family, student, and behavioral research for various research organizations. Salem holds a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Science, an M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, and a B.A. in Psychology with Highest Distinction (Phi Beta Kappa).
Celeste ChatmanVice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Talent Management
Celeste Chatman serves as vice president, diversity, equity, inclusion & talent management where she leads the MORE>
Celeste Chatman
Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Talent Management
Celeste Chatman serves as vice president, diversity, equity, inclusion & talent management where she leads the implementation and evolution of the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) plan. She most recently served as director of diversity, equity & inclusion for Stride, Inc., an e-learning solutions company, and previously held talent acquisition and diversity roles for both for-profit and non-profit organizations including the Urban Institute, Tyco, Allergan, Covance, and Prudential Financial. Celeste holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Upsala College and a Master of Arts degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Counseling from Kean University and Strategic Diversity Professional certification from Cornell University.
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