Meet the Founders
The Founders Library presents individuals who played an active role in the pioneering of the charter schools movement across the nation. This also includes those who have been instrumental in founding charter schools.

DEFINING
Founder
[found·er | ˈfau̇n-dər] noun
One from whom something originates. One who lays a foundation. One who establishes something special. Ideas matter.

Chris Barbic
TN | Educator
Partner with The City Fund

Jim Blew
DC | Advocate
Co-Founder,

Darrell Bradford
NY | Advocate
President of 50CAN

John Booy
MI | Educator & Founding Board Member
Excel Charter Academy

Sue Burr
CA | Educator & Advocate
California State Board of Education

John Ellis (Jeb) Bush
FL | Governor
Florida Governor (1999 - 2007)

Don Cooper
MI | Educator & Advocate

Darlene Chambers
OH | Educator & Advocate

Andy DeVries
MI | Board President
Grand River Preparatory High School

David (Dave) Durenberger
MN | Senator
US Senate (1978 - 1995)

Mary L. Kramer
MI | Communications
Group Publisher, Crain Communications
Former Board Chair, Grand Valley State University

Arend Donselaar "Don" Lubbers
MI | Educator
Former President, Grand Valley State University

Carmen N’Namdi
MI | Educator & Advocate
Founder, Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit

Joe Nathan, Ph.D.
MN | Educator & Activist
Director, Center for School Change

Richard McLellan
MI | Advocate
GOP Lawyer and Political Advisor

Robert (Bob) C. Mills, Ph.D.
MI | Educator
Former Professor, Central Michigan University
Former Executive Director, Charter Schools Office, Central Michigan University

Mark Murray
MI | Educator
Former President, Grand Valley State University (2001-2006)

Tom Nida
DC | Educator
Former chair, Washington D.C. Public Charter School Board

Gloria Bonilla-Santiago
NJ | Educator & Advocate
Chairperson and Founder, LEAP Academy University Charter School

Jon Schroeder
MN | Public Policy & Advocate
Former Senior Staff to US Senator Dave Durenberger (1984-1994) & Senior Fellow, Education Evolving

Mary Kay Shields
MI | Educator, Public Policy & Advocate
Special Advisor to Governor John Engler, for Charter School Development (1995-1997)

Nelson Smith
WI | Advocate
Senior Advisor, National Association of Charter School Authorizer

W. Sidney (Sid) Smith
MI | Advocate
Former Board Chair, Central Michigan University & Board Chair, National Charter Schools Institute

Ricardo Soto
CA | Advocate
Chief Advocacy Officer and General Counsel at the California Charter School Association

Richard K. Studley
MI | Advocate
President & CEO, Michigan Chamber of Commerce & Board Vice Chair, Central Michigan University

Sarah Tantillo, Ed.D
NJ | Educator & Advocate
Former coordinator of the New Jersey Charter School Resource Center

Don Weatherspoon, Ph.D.
MI | Educator & Advocate
Former Emergency Manager for Muskegon Heights and Highland Park School Districts

Joe Williams
NY | Advocate
Founder Director, Democrats for Education Reform

Roblin Webb
TN | Educator
Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Prep Charter Schools

Leonard (Len) C. Wolfe
MI | Attorney, Government Policy and Practice
Chairman and CEO, Dykema

Caprice Young
CA | Advocate
President, Education Growth Group
Connect Us with a Charter Founder or Impacter!
Were you instrumental in the charter schools movement or do you know someone who was? Help the Founders Library make a connection by filling out this form.
More Ways to Get Involved!
Give
We are so grateful to all of our friends and partners who are helping the library succeed!
Gather
We are looking for charter school founders and impacters with stories to share! Do you know any?
Share
Through social media you can help us spread the word and promote the library!