Passing the Torch Without the Drama: Succession Planning for CMOs
What happens when a charter network plans for leadership change before it’s urgent? At Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, a Succession Planning Working Group of board members and senior leaders created an emergency plan for unexpected transitions, designed a leadership development framework to cultivate future leaders, and captured institutional knowledge for posterity. In this session, we’ll share what we built and what we learned along the way. Participants will leave with practical templates, candid insights, and a fresh perspective on passing the torch with confidence.
When/Where:
Topic:
Format:
Presented by
CEO
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
Adriana Abich is the Chief Executive Officer of Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, a community of schools committed to educational equity and excellence in Los Angeles. With a deep belief in the transformative power of education, Adriana leads the organization’s vision to ensure all students graduate prepared to thrive in college, career, and life. Under Adriana’s leadership, Camino Nuevo’s schools have made notable academic gains, including the recognition of its high school as a 2024 California Distinguished School.
Board Chair
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
David’s involvement with Camino Nuevo began in 2013, when he volunteered in the Dalzell Lance High School College Center, mentoring seniors through the college application process. In 2016, he joined the Board of Directors and became Chair in 2023. That same year, he began volunteering with College Match, counseling gifted students from underserved Los Angeles communities—many of whom went on to colleges such as Harvard, Brown, Stanford, UCLA, and Berkeley. David continues to mentor alumni through and beyond college. A retired apparel executive, he previously worked at Warner Bros., Macy’s, BUM Equipment, and Babystyle.
Fractional Chief of Staff
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
With deep experience in schools and nonprofits, Jessica helps busy leaders stay above water and make sure that their most impactful priorities don’t get lost in the whirlwind. Rolling up her sleeves to work alongside teams, she adds capacity through Chief of Staff-style support and special project leadership. Her approach - warm and supportive meets rigorous and strategic - helps talented leaders take their work from aspiration to impact. Jess lives in LA, where you can find her chatting about novels with her book club, spotting every single dog and bird, and occasionally escaping to the mountains.
VP of Human Resources
