
Role at CSBM
As the Senior Development Specialist, Gretchen supports CSBM’s charter school partners with various fundraising, marketing, and communications initiatives, such as the creation of comprehensive development plans, private and government grant-writing, annual appeals, and event planning. She serves as a resource for all members of the CSBM team by providing information on NCLB, CSP, SSF and other federal and state grant applications as well as reporting requirements and grants management issues. Gretchen also assists CSBM with the development of internal marketing and communications pieces and spearheaded the creation of company’s new website and corporate rebranding.
Prior Experience
Prior to joining the CSBM Team, Gretchen served as the Director of Development for Bronx Charter School for the Arts for five years, working with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees to help the school meet its annual fundraising goals. Other organizations where she has worked as a development professional include American Ballet Theatre, Young Audiences New York, and the Anti-Defamation League.
BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY, BA IN SOCIOLOGY
The CSBM Team
Altagracia “Alta” Taveras
Finance Manager
Althea Cope-Reid
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
BRITTANY GREEN
SENIOR FINANCIAL MANAGER
Christopher Daniels
Senior Financial Manager
Chrystal Moore
FINANCE ASSISTANT

CLAUDIO PADILLA
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Collin Raymond
Director of Growth
Dana Burton
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
DAVID OLSON
FINANCE MANAGER
Dawnisha Lane
Finance Manager
Elaine Schmiedeshoff
Finance Manager
Elijah Smith
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Gretchen Wagner Liga
Director of Development Services
Harolyn Baez
Senior Financial Consultant
Heather Blumberg
DIRECTOR
Javonn Wright
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Jenny Geesaman
Senior Financial Consultant
Kamilah O’ Brien
Associate Director
Karen Daniels
President & COO

KAREN PETERS
SENIOR FINANCIAL MANAGER
Kayla Butler
Finance Manager
KAYTI PORTER
FINANCIAL MANAGER
KIM JOHNSON
SENIOR FINANCIAL MANAGER
Laron Walker
Senior Financial Manager
LAUREN BURDEKIN
SENIOR FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Lauren Torres
Finance Manager
Leslie Cruz
Senior Financial Manager
Leslie Roper-Thomas
Associate Director
LISA LEVANGER
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Lola Barbarash
DIRECTOR
Maria Campo
Development Manager
Marianne Howe
SENIOR FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
MARKISHA BAKER
FINANCE MANAGER
Melissa Weissenberger
Talent Program Manager
MELONY REED
SENIOR FINANCIAL MANAGER
MELYNDE CHRISTENSEN
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Michelle Lopez
DIRECTOR
Nelson Chiu
Senior Financial Consultant
Patricia Malone
VICE-PRESIDENT OF PEOPLE & CULTURE
Perry Shandal
Senior Financial Consultant
Raj Thakkar
Founder & CEO
Raymond Alston
Finance Manager
Ronald Rodriguez
Senior Financial Consultant
RYAN GIBSON
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
SALLY NEELY
GROWTH SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Sharon Denson
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SHEILA BROOKS
FINANCE MANAGER
SHERLA THERMITUS
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Stephen B. Reid II
CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER
SUSAN STRANO
SENIOR FINANCIAL MANAGER
Svetlana Gnesina
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Tia Murphy
Associate Director
