Stephanie Cardella

Stephanie Cardella currently serves as the Executive Director of Learning & Innovation and Executive Director of Strategy at LEAP Innovations since February 2024. Previously, Stephanie held several key positions at Distinctive Schools from July 2017 to February 2025, including Executive Director of Strategy, Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and Director of Literacy. Prior experience includes roles at North Shore School District 112High from August 2001 to June 2017, where responsibilities included Director of School Improvement & Innovation and Learning Coordinator for Teaching, Learning and Technology. Stephanie began a teaching career instructing 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Educational credentials include an ESL Endorsement from Loyola University Chicago, M.A. degrees in Educational Leadership from Argosy University Chicago and Language and Literacy from National Louis University, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from DePaul University.