Allison R. Kokkoros, CEO,
Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School

Allison Kokkoros has more than 30 years of experience in adult education and immigrant integration, first coming to the Carlos Rosario School as an ESL teacher. Allison played an instrumental role in advocating and writing the charter grant for Carlos Rosario Charter School to receive its charter and become the first adult education charter school in the nation in 1998. She was named CEO of the Carlos Rosario School in 2014 after serving in a variety of roles at the organization ranging from teacher to principal.

Under her leadership, the School has grown to a nationally-recognized $30 million dollar organization and to serve more than 3,000 students annually, launching new programs in response to community needs, including a small business program, a bilingual teacher training program, and a college transition initiative. More than 80,000 men and women have graduated from the School over these years and today are our region’s teachers, health professionals, leaders, and small business owners.

Allison earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management from George Washington University and completed undergraduate studies in English, Education, and Journalism at Eastern Mennonite University. She has been honored with the SmartCEO Brava Award, DC STARS Tribute Most Outstanding Adult Principal award, and the DC Learns Mike Fox Literacy Leader award. She currently serves on the board of the DC Charter School Alliance.

Angela Medina, Chief Operations Officer

Angela joined Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School in 2022 as the Chief Operations Officer, overseeing the finance, human resources, information technology, and front desk and transportation teams.
 
With over 16 years of experience in operations leadership, Angela has worked in both the software technology industry with companies like MicroStrategy and VMware, as well as in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Carlos Rosario, she served as Director of Operations at Academy of Hope, another adult charter school in the District. There, she navigated IT, operations, safety, and facilities protocols, while also supporting the successful launch of the school’s virtual learning model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela also led a $1M+ renovation project that modernized the school’s facilities, greatly enhancing its capacity to serve students. She brings to her current role at Carlos Rosario a wealth of experience in operations, technology, project management, process improvement, and data analytics.
 
Angela draws deep inspiration from Carlos Rosario’s diverse community of learners, which mirrors her own family’s immigrant experience. Arriving in the U.S. at the age of three in pursuit of the American Dream, she often reflects on how she wishes a school like Carlos Rosario had been there to support her parents, who arrived without speaking English and started from scratch. Now, having realized the American Dream herself, Angela feels privileged to contribute to the success of the school’s students as they embark on their own journeys.
 
Beyond her professional work, Angela is passionate about causes that are close to her heart. She proudly served on the Fairfax Regional Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and was a founding member of their Next Generation Committee, a group of young professionals dedicated to supporting the organization’s mission. Angela also co-founded the Arlington Democrats AAPI Caucus, which advocates for the local AAPI community, encourages non-partisan civic engagement, and promotes Democratic values within Arlington, VA, at both the local and state levels.
 
Angela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University in New York. She resides in Arlington, VA, with her husband and daughter and is a proud Army wife. On weekends, you can find her at a park running around with her daughter or exploring new local spots in the DMV area with her family.

Chelsea Bradford, Harvard Street Campus Principal/Chief Schools Officer

Chelsea Bradford has served as Principal of the Harvard Street Campus for the past 3 years. Prior to joining Carlos Rosario, her career in education, which spans almost two decades, includes Spanish teacher, instructional coach of technology, and bilingual assistant principal. She has served primarily in urban environments and enjoyed meeting the needs of more marginalized communities of learners.

Although her time as a bilingual assistant principal in DCPS afforded her the opportunity to work more closely with the immigrant community, it was not her first time. As an undergrad at UVA, Chelsea was a volunteer with Migrant Aid. It was this experience that exposed her firsthand to the plight of migrant workers and the immigrant community. Through this group, she worked to tutor students of migrant workers, many of whom had just arrived in the country and/or area and were thrust into a classroom with little to no support.

Chelsea holds multiple degrees including a BA in Spanish from UVA, a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Through prior work experience as well as her educational background, Chelsea looks forward to serving Carlos Rosario in her new role as Chief Schools Officer. As Chief Schools Officer, Chelsea’s responsibilities include but are not limited to improving student performance, refining the faculty evaluation process, strategizing and monitoring student enrollment, and supporting campus leadership.

Elani Lawrence, Chief Academic Officer

Elani Lawrence serves as the Chief Academic Officer at the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. In her role, Ms. Lawrence monitors and reports on the academic performance of the school, leads academic compliance, and liaises with PCSB and OSSE related to compliance, school performance, and policies. She engages with external partners for the purposes of advocacy and continuous improvement.

A native Washingtonian, Ms. Lawrence is a proud DCPS graduate, and an educator with over 25 years of experience in public schools in Washington, DC and New York. She holds a M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages from Teachers College, Columbia University, a Professional Diploma in Educational Administration from Long Island University and a B.A. is sociology from the University of Virginia.

Ms. Lawrence started her career in education as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic. She spent part of her childhood living in Lagos, Nigeria and has traveled to Latin America, Europe, and Africa that has helped to shape her professional career.

Ms. Lawrence has served as an English as a Second Language Teacher and a Spanish teacher before moving into administration. She has served as an academic administrator at the Carlos Rosario School for nine years. Ms. Lawrence resides in Washington, DC with her husband and sons.

KEITH JUAREZ, PRINCIPAL SONIA GUTIERREZ CAMPUS

Keith Juarez is the Principal of the Sonia Gutierrez Campus. He brings over 20 years of experience in education, ranging from pre-kindergarten to adult instruction in public, private, and charter schools. His experiences have led him to the Guam Department of Education, Archdiocese of Guam, University of Guam, Archdiocese of Washington, Montgomery County Public Schools, Charles County Public Schools, and currently with Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School.
 
He joined the Carlos Rosario School in 2019, first as an instructor, then as a professional development specialist/instructional coach, and then as an academic administrator at the Sonia Gutierrez Campus. He has supervised ESL levels 5, 7, and 8, Advanced English, ESL tutors, IC3, and programs in Career Training, including Bilingual Teaching Assistant, Nurse Aide Training, and IT Fundamentals.
 
Keith’s passion for teaching stems from his commitment to lifelong learning, with post-graduate studies in education administration/supervision, leadership, and technology. He is a firm believer in wrap-around services by addressing needs beyond academics—such as health, mental wellness, family support, and housing/job stability—students are better able to focus on learning.
 
Originally from Guam, he has lived in the D.M.V. area since 2011. Keith lives by the mantra, “We rise by lifting others,” and in his free time, enjoys competitive tennis and watching documentaries.

SANTIAGO SANCHEZ, PRINCIPAL HARVARD STREET CAMPUS

Santiago Sanchez is a dedicated educator and instructional leader with experience in second language acquisition, bilingual education, and workforce development. He currently serves as Principal of the Carlos Rosario School – Harvard Street Campus, where he leads academic programs, faculty development, and student services to support the success of adult learners.
 
Previously, Mr. Sanchez served as Assistant Principal, overseeing ESL and workforce initiatives, including the Bilingual Teacher Assistant (BTA) program. He is a strong advocate for historically underrepresented communities.
 
Mr. Sanchez has facilitated professional development and presented at nationally recognized conferences on topics such as English learners, standards-based instruction, and data-informed planning. His areas of expertise include biliteracy development, curriculum implementation, asynchronous course design, and the integration of workforce training with academic instruction. Throughout his career, he has worked to expand access to high-quality, equitable education that empowers students to thrive personally and professionally.

Robert M. Skelton, General Counsel

Robert M. Skelton, Esq. (“Bob”) is the General Counsel for the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School and is a member of the Executive Team. Bob holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College in Schenectady NY and a Juris Doctorate from the George Washington University Law School. He also has the Certified Association Executive credential following many years working in the non-profit association community. His work in the non-profit community led him to seek out a new position with a mission-driven organization that works to help people be successful and achieve their goals.

Bob has previously served as the Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and/or Vice President of Human Resources for a national association, start-up technology companies and for the regional subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales, USA. While at Toyota, he really appreciated being able to drive some great cars!

Bob has also served on the board of Mary of Nazareth Catholic School.

Olianka Wingate, Senior Director of Services & School Logistics

Olianka Wingate is a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience in education, logistics, and student services. As the Senior Director of Services and School Logistics at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, she oversees student services, registration, food service, and school safety, leveraging her strategic vision to forge strong community partnerships and optimize resources for student success.
 
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Olianka began her journey with Carlos Rosario School in 2009 as an ESL student, earning a scholarship after graduation. She quickly advanced through roles—from Program Assistant to Case Manager/Retention Specialist, Lead Retention Specialist, and Director of Student Services—gaining deep insights into the school community. Her leadership has streamlined processes, improved retention rates, and enhanced safety and community engagement across campuses.
 
Olianka earned her Bachelor’s in Accounting (Summa Cum Laude) and an MBA from the University of the District of Columbia, and she has furthered her expertise with specialized training in project management, human rights, and supervisory leadership. Her commitment to excellence is recognized through awards like the Empower People and Culture Award and accolades for her research in business and technology.

ERIN HART, SENIOR DIRECTOR of HUMAN RESOURCES

Erin Hart is the Senior Director of Human Resources at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. Colleagues and students know her as Ms. Hart. Prior to this role, she served in senior operations and human resources positions at local DC charter schools and education non-profits.
 
Ms. Hart has extensive experience in HR leadership, organizational operations, and equity-focused initiatives. She has led teams ranging in size from 2 to 25 and has successfully guided organizations through strategic planning in talent development, teacher retention, and career pathways. Passionate about building inclusive school cultures and ensuring students have access to high-quality educators, Ms. Hart brings a deep commitment to advancing equity in education. Her work consistently aligns the school’s mission with people-centered practices.
 
Before joining Carlos Rosario, Ms. Hart strengthened HR systems from recruitment to offboarding, revamped grievance and discipline policies, and enhanced professional development opportunities for teachers and staff.
 
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, young son, and extended family. She also loves being outdoors and exploring new hobbies.

Julio Jay Haddock Ortiz, Senior Advisor to the CEO

Julio Jay Haddock Ortiz is the senior advisor to the Chief Executive Officer. He was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City and is a longtime resident of DC. He is a graduate of St. John’s University of NY. A 50-year hospitality executive mostly in DC and operating Potomac Hotel Group (now Modus) and a partner in Capital Hotels of WDC which was sold in 2018.

Jay is a dedicated community supporter with ties to Whitman Walker Clinic, GALA Hispanic Theatre, served as chair of the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs under Mayor Anthony Williams for 8 years, board member of the Hotel Association of WDC, former member of the Small Business Administration Community Board and presently serving on the Board of Events DC the oversight organization of hospitality/tourism in WDC. He has received recognition and awards from the DC Council, The Office of Vice President Al Gore, The DC Mayor’s Art Award, El Tiempo Latino Newspaper, Washington Hispanic Newspaper, The Hotel Association of WDC, The Restaurant Association, the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the NBC/Telemundo Community award. His volunteer work in the Latino community expands many years.

Jay has supported Carlos Rosario for over 25 years showing his commitment to the immigrant community of Washington, DC.

Karla Vasconez, Manager, Executive Administration

Karla Vasconez currently the Manager, Executive Administration for Carlos Rosario International Charter School holds a master’s in business administration and has held a wide range of professional positions such as working as a Lawyer’s assistant, International Student Advisor, Public Affairs representative, Program Associate of Sponsored Programs, International Student Recruiter, Division Chief Assistant at the IDB, and Executive Assistant to the CEO at Carlos Rosario School. She prides herself in being a proactive, flexible, highly adaptable professional. As an immigrant herself, and one who enjoys thriving in multicultural settings, she has taken every new position as an opportunity to be part of something bigger than herself and doing her part while giving her very best to help the community.

All these varied opportunities have given her a wide range of experience including international program administration, program marketing, design and logistics, office supervision, student advisory, student event management, student recruitment, managing budgets.

While being able to maintain solid relationships with internal and external vendors, and planning events such as local education fairs, new training offerings, and educational events overseas including event negotiation, international program fundraising, volunteer management, participant communication and coordination of attendees among other skills. She has always sought to give a hundred percent in the quest to achieve the goals of each of the organizations of which she has been a part of.