Board

Ann currently works as a special education teacher with KIPP Metro Atlanta. After starting her career as a primary Montessori teacher, she went on to teach in a variety of public, private, and charter schools in Minneapolis, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Abu Dhabi. Ann has also held a wide range of leadership roles in public education: She served as a Turnaround Program Specialist with Minneapolis Public Schools, Director of Student and Family Services and Interim School Director at KIPP WAYS Academy, School Leader at The Academy of North Minneapolis, and Head of School at Bright Water Montessori in North Minneapolis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Clark Atlanta University and Master of Literacy Education from Hamline University and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership.

Jane McDonald Black is the Executive Director for the JAB Foundation and EdAllies’ Board Treasurer. With 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience in education and social services, Black currently serves on the Board for the BARR Center (founding Board Member), St. Alphonsus Catholic School, and Dougherty Family College, also contributing to the Great Minnesota Schools Advisory Council and Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission. Black is committed to fighting inequity within the state’s education system, recognizing Minnesota has the lowest math and reading scores in the nation for students of color.

Diarra Brooks is currently the Program Manager at GreenLight Fund Twin Cities where she utilizes her experience in both research and advocacy and works with communities to address persistent, unmet local needs and challenges. Prior to GreenLight Fund, Diarra worked as an organizer for education equity and community safety and has experience working as a research assistant in education policy and LGBTQ+ research spaces. Diarra holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and a master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota. Her experiences and education enhanced Diarra’s passion for work centered around authentic community partnership and engagement, and she is committed to being a part of the fight to make the world a more just and equitable place in connection with people most impacted by injustice.

Ginya Davis is currently the Crisis Management Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education where she serves as the statewide mental health crisis management lead within MDE’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Center. She formerly worked for the Minnesota Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections. She has dedicated the last 20 years working for the State of Minnesota in different roles focusing on the interpretation and application of MN Statute. Ginya is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology. She is the mother of three biracial students who attend school within the Minneapolis Public School District. Ginya is passionate about social justice and creating environments for all kids that emphasize safety, inclusion, equity, and belonging.

Joshua currently works as principal at Red Wing High School and was previously an assistant principal for Brooklyn Center Community Schools. He began his career in education in 2003 as a physical education teacher in Oakland Unified School District, at Oakland Technical High School, where he moved into a teacher on special assignment role before becoming the assistant principal. Joshua was instrumental in the turnaround of the school. He moved to the Twin Cities after 2011 and has served in and around the metro area as a District Assessment Coordinator, instructional coach, Equity Teacher, assistant principal and principal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from University of California-Berkeley; Principal Leadership Institute, and cleared his Minnesota administrative license through Hamline University.

Jenifer Loon is the executive director of People Reaching Out to People (PROP) and a former member of the Minnesota House of
Representatives, serving for five terms, representing Eden Prairie. In 2015, she was named Chair of the Education Finance Committee, a leadership position she held for four years, through the end of her legislative service. Prior to moving to Minnesota, Jenifer spent 13 years in Washington, DC, working on legislative policy and focusing on the tax and regulatory challenges impacting small businesses. There, she worked in the U.S. Senate and then the House of Representatives—serving as Chief of Staff to the Committee on Small Business in her final position.

Jenifer began her advocacy for high-quality education for all children over 20 years ago, first as an active public school classroom volunteer and ascending to leadership positions in parent-educator organizations.

Anne Mahle is the senior vice president of Public Partnerships at Teach For America, where she leads its government affairs, federal and state funding, and public policy work. A 1992 Teach For America corps member, Anne taught a bilingual fourth grade class in the Rio Grande Valley before joining the staff of Teach For America in 1994 as the executive director of our Seattle region. From 1995-1998, Anne headed up Teach For America’s math and science initiative. In 2004, Anne returned to the staff of Teach For America as a managing director of recruitment, where she managed teams of recruitment directors until 2007, when she began leading Teach For America’s on-campus recruitment efforts across the country.

During her six-year hiatus from Teach For America, Anne received her JD at the University of California, Berkeley, where she was awarded the Brian M. Sax Prize for Excellence in Clinical Advocacy for her work in the International Human Rights Law Clinic. Upon graduation from Berkeley, Anne practiced law at the Minneapolis firm of Faegre & Benson where she litigated cases in state and federal court on behalf of private and pro-bono clients.

Anne serves on the board of directors of Girl Scouts River Valleys, EdAllies, and Minneapolis United Soccer Club. She is an Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow at The Aspen Institute. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband David and daughters Anat and Esther.

TaShonda is currently Case Manager for the POWER program at The Link MN. Following a diverse career in the financial and medical fields, she went on to serve as a Family Advocate with Minnesota Comeback—working to close Minnesota’s educational achievement gap. TaShonda has vast experience showing up for and advocating for youth—in her work, as a community member, and as a foster parent. She has worked extensively—navigating complex systems and removing barriers—so that children and families may have the best outcomes.