For more than a decade, Simone has held leadership positions in the education space. Originally from Brooklyn, she came to Chicago in 2010 to obtain an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an M.P.P. from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Since then, Simone has held strategic planning and operational roles – first in the K-12 space and then in early childhood. Prior to her work in Chicago, she worked with the New York City Department of Education identifying best practices and supporting school leaders in making data-based decisions.

Simone’s career has been mapped by her belief that no child should have race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status determine the opportunities and ultimately the success they experience in life. Her background is in strategy and operations. Simone finds joy in moving initiatives from pieces of paper to living, existing entities. She finds satisfaction in finding ways to improve how education initiatives function, to maximize the benefits for families, children and communities.