Introducing CEI Team Members

We are thrilled to introduce you to 10 new teammates who joined CEI in the 2023-24 school year, bringing collective leadership and expertise to enhance CEI’s partnerships and support. Our new colleagues join from Colorado school districts, postsecondary institutions, and education organizations, with focus on future pathways for students, research and development, strategic data and engagement, and internal operations.

“The CEI team is our greatest asset, and we are incredibly proud of the talent and competencies our new teammates bring to our work and partnerships,” said Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO. “We’re excited for the relationships they have built and will continue to grow to champion and support public education across Colorado.”

We can’t wait for you to connect with them as we continue working together in the year ahead!

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Samantha Avery, Manager, Communications

As Manager of Communications, Samantha Avery supports CEI’s communication and engagement initiatives across bodies of work. Her previous experience includes video production and strategic storytelling, and in this role, she will elevate and celebrate CEI’s partners and important work taking place in education in Colorado. Prior to joining CEI, Sam worked at Guild Education for five years, where she balanced work and school, completing an M.A. in Communication and Leadership from the University of Denver’s University College.

Rebecca Beals, Assistant Director, Data and Learning

As Assistant Director of Data and Learning, Rebecca Beals supports schools and districts to build knowledge and share their work in career-connected learning through program evaluation and data coaching. Rebecca brings over 10 years of experience centering culturally responsive evaluation practices that elevate the voices of students and stakeholders, resulting in community-driven learning that leads to equitable outcomes for all students. Prior to joining CEI, Rebecca was an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Northern Colorado and Evaluation Director for a National Science Foundation program that supports underrepresented STEM students on their pathways to STEM careers and advanced degrees. She is a first-generation college student from rural Nebraska and holds  a B.A. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she was a McNair Scholar, as well as an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of New Mexico.

Megan Clasby, Manager, Development

As Development Manager, Megan Clasby supports operations in development, opportunity research, proposal and contract design, and reporting. Prior to this role, Megan worked for over ten years as an English and social studies teacher, including coordinating a non-traditional educational program at Cañon City High School. Megan received a B.A. in English from Adams State University and an M.S. in Technical Communication from Minnesota State University.

Oceana Haaland, Associate, Events

As Associate of Events, Oceana Haaland supports logistics and strategy development for CEI’s statewide and regional events. She brings multiple years of event planning and project management experience from her previous work in non-profit and government organizations. She is passionate about supporting system-level change in public education to benefit future generations of learners.

Emma Kepes, Manager, Career-Connected Learning

As Manager of Career Connected Learning, Emma Kepes supports Colorado school districts in creating meaningful experiences to prepare students for their futures. Before joining CEI, she was Director of College Access at STRIVE Prep RISE where she oversaw concurrent enrollment, postsecondary planning, and completion of graduation requirements. She has spent her career working with high school students and their families in breaking down barriers to achieving postsecondary education and economic mobility both in English and Spanish. She brings positivity and curiosity to her spaces, including in her role on the Board of Directors for Juntos Community and any conversation over good food.

Kelly Quinn, Manager, Social Emotional Development

As Manager of Social Emotional Development (SED), Kelly Quinn supports Colorado school districts through SED projects to help equitably, predictably, and reliably produce graduates with academic, personal, professional, entrepreneurial, and civic competencies. In her previous roles as a social emotional learning team leader in both Chicago and Denver Public Schools, she piloted innovative school-wide social emotional learning programs. Drawing on her decade of classroom experience, Kelly strives to center student well-being in all her work.

Niria Quinones, Assistant Director, Finance and Operations

As Assistant Director of Finance and Operations, Niria Quinones refines and optimizes internal processes. She has 10 years of experience working in school operations, including in her most recent role as Assistant Principal of Operations at STRIVE Prep RISE, where she focused on implementation and maintenance of clear operational systems, budget management, and fostering positive learning atmospheres. Leveraging her background in public education, Niria is dedicated to maintaining operational excellence. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, camping, and hiking.

Anna Stead, Policy Manager

As Policy Manager, Anna Steed supports CEI’s Policy and Partnerships team by conducting in-depth research on education policies, legislation, and best practices and by promoting engagement with government agencies and education stakeholders. An 18-year veteran teacher, Anna spent the last eight years as a high school speech and debate teacher at the social justice high school, STRIVE Prep-RISE. She was a founding member of the school and crafted innovative curriculum around community issues including mass incarceration, immigration, the wealth gap, environmental injustice, the gender spectrum, houselessness, and mental health. During that time, she also established and coached RISE’s nationally ranked speech and debate team for which she received the National Speech & Debate Association’s Director’s Commendation Award at the 2023 National Tournament. Anna continues instructing college English courses at a local community college and is a mentor to students as they transition from high school to college and postsecondary opportunities. 

Esther Valdez, Assistant Director, Implementation and Partnership

As Assistant Director of Implementation and Partnership, Esther Valdez supports CEI’s school district partners and their communities in executing school transformation and strategic school improvement. Esther has 36 years of experience in education, proudly serving as a principal in schools across Jefferson County in Colorado. Esther believes her life’s work is meant to liberate students to be the best they can be by harnessing her core values of ensuring students experience connection, a strong sense of belonging, and the power of educational opportunities. Esther holds a B.A. from Texas Lutheran University, an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Denver University, and an M.A. in Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Education from Regis University.

Katrina Weitzel, Executive Assistant

As Executive Assistant, Katrina Weitzel provides strategic calendar management and support with planning, logistics, and tracking of priorities and commitments for CEI’s President and CEO, including streamlining collaboration and processes with CEI’s Board of Directors and external partners. Katrina previously served as executive assistant to the directors of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, and the Colorado Department of Education – Educator Talent Division. She brings decades of event management experience as Director of Events at a non-profit management firm. As the daughter of a Marine Corps aviator, she was fortunate to have attended high school in Okinawa, Japan. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado Denver and has called Denver home for more than 30 years. She is married to her happily-ever-after husband, Randy, and has two grown sons and a puppy named Koda.