From Ideas to Impact: Strategic Planning to Make Change and Build Community

Casey Taylor is the founder and Executive Director of Achieve Charter Schools of Paradise. After the 2018 Paradise Camp Fire, Casey led her team in reopening schools in temporary facilities in Chico, while building a permanent school facility there. In the 2021-22 school year, Achieve opened Achieve Charter School of Chico at the new facility and reopened Achieve Charter School of Paradise at the original campus in Paradise. She and her team are now working to reopen Achieve Charter High School in Paradise in the coming years.

Dr. Nicole Assisi is an experienced superintendent, principal, teacher and entrepreneur. San Diego Business Journal recognized her as a “40 under 40” leader and a finalist for CEO of the Year. Her schools were named among the most innovative in the nation and received a CA Senate Commendation. As a professor, Dr. Assisi has worked at the University of Cambridge, UCLA, CSU Dominguez Hills and the University of San Diego. Nicole holds a doctorate in educational leadership from USC, two master’s degrees, is a certified Professional Certified Behavioral Analyst, and holds an International Coaching Federation coaching certificate.

Shelli is the Chief Innovation Officer at Thrive. Shelli is an experienced school leader, nonprofit founder, grassroots organizer, school leader, and coach. Shelli’s passion for the people she serves has made her a sought-after coach, trainer, and consultant. She is also a national speaker and writer. She is driven by a deep belief in equity, access, and opportunity for all through the empowerment of individuals. Shelli brings intuition and joy to her work and is skilled at working through thorny relationships, creating consensus, and moving teams towards greater collaborative outcomes.