Our Team
Our Mission
At its core, CCP is an organization with deep roots and decades
of experience in developing programs and services that address equity and ignite sustainable outcomes for all students from
pre-kindergarten through the completion of a postsecondary credential of market value. It’s our mission to provide the strategies, leadership and services needed to further develop the talents of all young people and ensure their postsecondary opportunities lead to success in the workforce.
Our Mission
At its core, CCP is an organization with deep roots and decades of combined experience in developing programs and services that address equity and ignite sustainable outcomes for all students from pre-kindergarten through the completion of a postsecondary credential of market value. It’s our mission to provide the strategies, leadership and services needed to further develop the talents of all young people and ensure their postsecondary opportunities lead to success in the workforce.
CCP Board Of Directors
With over 50 years of combined experience in the education and nonprofit sectors, the CCP leadership team is uniquely positioned to maximize the growth and impact of the ISSN.
Christopher Cross
CCP Board Co-Chair
Christopher is chairman of the board for Community Catalyst Partners. He also serves as chairman emeritus of FourPoint Education Partners, where for more than 16 years he has contributed his considerable strategic planning, policy analysis, and policy development skills to help local, state, and federal leaders better serve students and communities. Chris also serves as a distinguished senior fellow with the Education Commission of the States. Previously, he was a senior fellow with the Center for Education Policy. From 1994 to 2002, Chris was president and chief executive officer of the Council for Basic Education (CBE). Before joining CBE, he served as director of the education initiative of The Business Roundtable and as assistant secretary for educational research and improvement in the United States Department of Education (ED). He served as president of the Maryland State Board of Education from 1994 to 1997 and was a member from 1993 to 1997. He also was a member of the National Education Commission on Time and Learning.
Gene Chasin
Founder & President Emeritus, CCP Board Secretary
With over 40 years of education experience, Gene Chasin is the visionary catalyst of Community Catalyst Partners (CCP). Prior to founding CCP, Gene worked in all arenas of education, serving young people and supporting organizations in literally all regions of the country. He spent 12 years overseeing the evolution and implementation of the Say Yes to Education community-wide strategies in cities like Syracuse and Buffalo, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio. Before joining Say Yes, he was the director of the Institute for Urban School Improvement at the University of Connecticut and served as CEO of Accelerated Schools, one of the largest, longest-lived, most-researched school reform models in the country. Gene also served as a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principal, and public school teacher.
Koray Gurz
CCP Board Treasurer
Koray serves as Senior Vice President and CFO at Mystic Aquarium. He has worked as the Controller for a national nonprofit organization and has served as a senior auditor in the private sector. Koray is specialized in the non-profit industry, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA). He received his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Hartford.
Matthew McCreight
Board Member
Matthew McCreight is a partner with Schaffer Consulting. He has been with the firm since the late 1980’s, consulting with a wide variety of organizations across all sectors including insurance and manufacturing companies, governmental agencies, non-profits, and more. For over 25 years, he has been involved with innovative organizations like CCP that help communities transform educational opportunity and success for all students, first working with New American Schools and then with Say Yes to Education.
Donnie Turlington
CCP Board Co-Chair
Throughout his career, Donnie has served in leadership capacities for large municipal governments, local and national nonprofit organizations, marketing agencies and higher education institutions. He is dedicated to developing the gifts and talents of young people in support of CCP’s mission creating pathways that ensure success from pre-kindergarten through the completion of a postsecondary credential.
CCP Staff
Dr. Kenya Johns
Vice President of Programs & Engagement
Dr. Kenya Johns, LPC, NCC, CAADC, CCTP, ACS, DEI brings a diverse, yet people focused background to Community Catalyst Partners. Kenya is the current Mayor of the City of Beaver Falls, PA where she is committed to economic growth, communication engagement and sustainable growth. In addition to her current role of Mayor, Dr. Johns currently holds several titles, including but not limited to licensed professional counselor, diversity equity and inclusion consultant, national professional presenter, published author, researcher and an educator.