Lisa Margosian

Lisa is the interim Chief Executive Officer, working closely with the Achievement First (AF) board and leadership team to ready the organization for its search for a permanent successor. Her focus is on improving the academic strength of AF schools and building the systems and structures to enable the network’s continued expansion.

Lisa joined AF on May 2, 2022. Prior to this, she served as the interim CEO of Ascend Charter Schools. While there, Lisa led between the organization’s founder and now permanent leader during the global pandemic. Her expertise helped organizations reshape, restructure, integrate, and implement. With more than thirty years of experience with for-and-non-profits, Lisa developed a deep understanding of all facets of leadership, which includes utilizing highly developed stakeholder management skills, rebuilding underperforming businesses, leading businesses through integration post-mergers, scaling non-profits, and transforming organizations after mission shifts. Lisa also served as KIPP’s Chief Program Officer and Director of Network Growth and Chief Customer Officer of the Girl Scouts of the USA. She also worked in financial services with Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase.

Lisa, a proud Wisconsin native and child of public school educators, has always had a deep and abiding passion for K-12 education. She believes the key to social justice and racial equity is quality education that creates access for all children. She has a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.