The Mind Trust announces new positions, promotions
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Education not-for-profit The Mind Trust is announcing new leadership positions. The organization’s leadership has added two executive positions: a chief operating officer and chief strategy officer, both of which are being filled through internal promotions.
The not-for-profit is best known for its advocacy and support for charter and innovation network schools in and near the Indianapolis Public Schools district.
Shannon Williams has been named COO and executive vice president, while Kristin Grimme will serve as chief strategy officer.
In addition to the new positions, the organization’s leadership is promoting within to fill the positions of vice president of expanded impact and senior director of finance and operations. Promotions include:
- Shannon Williams, chief operating officer and executive vice president: Williams joined The Mind Trust in 2018 after serving as president of the Indianapolis Recorder and Indiana Minority Business Magazine. In her new role, Williams will oversee external affairs and community engagement, as well as manage the nonprofit’s school support team.
- Kristin Grimme, chief strategy officer: Grimme served as Indianapolis’ charter schools director before joining The Mind Trust in 2016. As chief strategy officer, she will lead implementation of the nonprofit’s strategic plan and oversee policy initiatives.
- Porsche Chisley, vice president of expanded impact: Chisley began with The Mind Trust in 2020 after working as the vice president of school improvement for an Ohio charter school authorizer. In her new position, Chisley will manage the expansion of The Mind Trust’s work outside of Indianapolis.
- Madeline Poulakidas, senior director of finance and operations: Poulakidas has been with The Mind Trust since 2012 and will now oversee risk management and contracts for the nonprofit as well as handling other financial management and accounting duties.
The promotions will help The Mind Trust meet the needs of Hoosier families as the organization experiences a period of rapid growth, its leaders said in a new release.
“These organizational shifts reflect our deep commitment to continuing that work in Indianapolis and beyond,” The Mind Trust CEO Brandon Brown said. “We have a team full of leaders who embody our enduring belief that every student, no exceptions, deserves access to a great education.”