Tamira Samuel, Co-Executive Director
Tamira Samuel is humbled to serve ULF as Co-Executive Director. Tamira is an education equity champion with nearly fifteen years of experience in education and public policy. Tamira has served as a Regional Director and Fellow of ULF. She has served in leadership and capacity roles for Teach For America, Texas Public Charter Schools Association, Education Pioneers, Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, The Beacon Center of Tennessee, YES Prep, KIPP Texas, and Houston ISD. While in Houston ISD, she developed and implemented strategic professional development and programming for more than 2,000 teachers in 287 schools as the New Teacher Support Manager and School Support Manager. She has served as an appointed commissioner on the City of Houston Commission of People with Disabilities, chairing the K-12 Issues in Public Education committee. In addition to this work, she has served as a congressional lobbyist, nonprofit board president, Peace Child International World Congress delegate, Miss Black Kentucky USA, and member of the National Alumni Recruitment Team for Education Pioneers. Tamira started her career in the classroom as an award winning teacher in the Clarksville Montgomery County School System in Tennessee.
She was a Rice University Education Entrepreneurship Program Business Fellow for School Leaders in The Jesse H. Jones Business School and received the REEP Founders Award in her class. Tamira completed graduate studies in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from Northwestern University, and has both a MAT and BS from Austin Peay State University in Curriculum and Instruction and English.
Tamira can be reached at tamira@urbanleadersfellowship.org.
Kris Frye, Co-Executive Director
Kristopher Frye is excited to serve ULF as the Co-Executive Director. His career in public service began as a classroom teacher in St. Louis, MO, after which he moved to Honduras to teach at a local bilingual school. Following his time in the classroom, Kris attended law school to explore the intersection between policy and practice. Kris has worked as a policy advisor to school board members of the Indianapolis Public Schools, in the Office of the Indiana Governor, and the law firm Church, Church, Hittle & Antrim. In his most recent role, Kris served as the Chief of Staff at Teach For America-Indianapolis, supporting the regional staff as well as over 500 alumni and corps members in the city. He is a graduate of St. Ambrose University, with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, with a Masters in Education, and the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Kris recently moved to Colorado with his wife, Carole, and daughter Nora.
Kris is a 2014 alumnus of the Urban Leaders Fellowship. He can be reached at kristopher@urbanleadersfellowship.org.
Estephania Vazquez, Atlanta Regional Director
Estephania is a grassroots leader and a first generation college graduate from Los Angeles. She identifies herself as an indigenist womyn of color who immigrated from Mexico at a young age due to her family’s economic situation. As a highly optimistic, and passionate professional she has focused all her efforts in improving the quality of life for families and children in disadvantaged communities. For the past 8 years, she has directly worked with youth and families in holistic models such as community schools, placemaking initiatives, and civic engagement efforts across Southern California. At this moment she is currently supporting the Best Start Metro LA movement by looking at systems-level change through local and statewide partnerships. She is proud to be a ULF 2020 Alumni where she had the opportunity to serve in the Atlanta Region.
Teneisha Bailey, Dallas Regional Director
Teneisha Bailey is delighted to join the ULF team as the Dallas Regional Director. Teneisha is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with a background in advocacy, community organizing, education, and youth development in various nonprofit organizations. She has worked as a School Social Worker, developing programming for students and staff promoting wellness and social emotional learning. Teneisha holds a strong interest in program development and policy implementation that support better outcomes for those impacted by trauma and social injustice. She believes in the power of “We” and the collaborative efforts that are inherent in the construction of positive societal change. In her work, she influences arenas with her perspective and diligently encounters issues through a multi-disciplinary lens. Compelled by frustration and a transformational vision, Teneisha will often challenge the status quo and the systemic influences that prolong it. She is committed to securing futures and building community through an intentional, relationship-centered approach.
Perdeep Badhesha, Denver Regional Director
Perdeep Singh Badhesha (“Deep”) joins ULF as Policy and Regional Director for Colorado. He currently works as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Colorado General Assembly for the House Democrats. Previously, he worked as a Policy Advisor for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Deep is a graduate of the University of Colorado Law School and started his legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Justice Melissa Hart of the Colorado Supreme Court. While in law school, he worked for two federal judges, large law firms, and a civil rights firm. Deep also served as an editorial board member and forum editor for the Colorado Law Review. Prior to law school, Deep was a 2017 ULF-Denver Fellow and a high school math teacher in Denver Public Schools through Teach for America. Deep is a proud child of Sikh-Punjabi immigrants from India and grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Growing up in a Sikh family, service has been a salient part of his identity his entire life. In his free time, Deep loves to read, travel, and eat far too much food. Deep completed his undergraduate studies at Colorado State University where he studied Economics and Philosophy.
Haley Wing-Suttle, Indianapolis Regional Director
Originally from Tampa, Florida, Haley completed her undergraduate degree in elementary education. She was then accepted into the Teach For America program which placed her in Indianapolis. While completing her corp years, Haley taught in two Indianapolis Public Schools teaching second grade. During her time in the classroom, Haley also engaged in many policy efforts with Teach Plus, Leadership for Educational Equity, and the Urban Leaders Fellowship. Her most notable initiatives focused on recruiting and retaining teachers of color within Indiana and comprehensive teacher talent pipeline programs for the Indianapolis Public Schools district. Her work on a published policy brief with Teach Plus was recognized by the American Education Research Association in 2019. Haley also served two years in the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation first as a Policy Analyst and then as an Academic Performance Analyst helping to compile and analyze formative, summative, and state audited data for over 40 Mayor-Sponsored Schools across Indianapolis. Haley is currently an MPA Candidate at IUPUI in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a specialization in Public Management. In her full-time role, she serves as the Director of Research and Policy at RISE INDY.
Julie Holland, Kansas City, Missouri Regional Director
In addition to serving as Kansas City regional director for ULF, Julie leads the Parent Leadership Training Institute in Kansas City, an initiative that supports a healthy democracy by training parents to become leading advocates for children. Previously, Julie served as education advisor to former Kansas City Mayor Sly James where she authored and spearheaded the development of 15+ plans, federal applications, and community reports that propelled initiatives with new funding or new strategy, including the People Plan for $30M grant for HUD Choice Neighborhood and $300M tax plan to expand access to affordable, high-quality pre-K. Julie earned a B.S. from Oklahoma State University, M.P.A from Syracuse University, and a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University. She also worked at the Ewing Marion Kauffman School, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York, and congressional offices in Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.
Marissa Brown, Nashville Regional Director
Marissa Brown is honored to join the ULF team as the Nashville Regional Director. Marissa is a Management and Program Analyst at the Department of Homeland Security where she works in the Stakeholder Engagement Division for Cybersecurity. She is also a student voice consultant at Education Trust Tennessee, an education advocacy non-profit. Marissa has a background in policy, advocacy, and leadership development. Prior to working at the Department of Homeland Security, she worked as a Legislative Assistant for a Maryland State Senator with the Maryland General Assembly. Marissa is passionate about social justice and seeing youth thrive in every aspect of their lives which is why she has devoted eleven years to being a Girl Scout Leader in her community. She is a graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park where she received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature. She is also a graduate from American University where she received her Master's in Public Administration & Policy.
Marissa served as a 2021 Urban Leaders Fellow in Nashville.Marissa is excited to work with 2022 Nashville fellows!
Justin McCorkle, New Orleans Regional Director
Justin McCorkle, a strong advocate for civic engagement, criminal justice and public education reform, and youth empowerment he involves himself in a multitude of community outreach organizations, youth advocacy groups, and civic activism initiatives. A committed community organizer, Justin looks to help grassroots organizations navigate the political and bureaucratic process to result in tangible change within their communities. He also is an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. He is a lifelong resident of New Orleans and has a vested interest in the betterment of the city that has made him.
Bianca Shiu, Oakland Regional Director
In addition to serving as the Oakland Regional Director for ULF, Bianca Shiu is currently a middle school science teacher in the Oakland Unified School District. She started working in Oakland schools in 2014, where she was inspired by the rich history of the Town, as well as its dedication to principles like restorative justice, culturally responsive teaching, and educational equity. In addition to teaching, she serves as one of her school’s union representatives and believes that organizing is a strong tool for creating change. She became more interested in policy after experiencing a school merger and going on strike. These experiences helped her realize how policy affects her, her students, and the larger community. This led her to participate in ULF as a fellow in 2019, where she worked on improving the recruitment and retention of teachers of color. She is a graduate of Pomona College, with a Bachelor of Arts in neuroscience, and Stanford University, with a Master’s degree in Education.
Greg Robinson, Tulsa Regional Director
Greg Robinson is Director of Family and Community Ownership at Met Cares Foundation, In Tulsa, OK. Greg, a proud Tulsa native, earned a Bachelor of Science in History from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). A veteran of both the Obama and Clinton campaigns, Greg has spent a decade sharpening his organizing and community building skills working as an organizer and political operative across the country. Guided by the words of civil rights organizer Ella Baker, “Strong people, don’t need strong leaders”, Greg is responsible for crafting the Met Cares civic engagement approach. At Met Cares, Greg has built a near million-dollar grassroots organizing strategy from the ground up. Through initiatives like the Parent & Community Action Team Fellowship (PCAT Fellowship) and Resilience University, Greg coaches other dedicated Tulsans on how to interpret data, hold community listening sessions, research solutions and interact with public officials to address critical issues facing Tulsa.
In addition to his work with MCF, Greg is a committed volunteer and mentor at Tulsa McLain High School and currently serves as lead organizer for Demanding a Just Tulsa. Greg also serves as a board member for several organizations in Tulsa, OK including: A Way Home For Tulsa, The Historic Greenwood District Main Street Program, The Terence Crutcher Foundation, The Greater Tulsa African-American Affairs Commission, The 1921 Race Massacre Mass Graves Commission and Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce.
Tej Reddy, Washington, D.C. Regional Director
Tejeswara Reddy is the Regional and Policy Director for ULF D.C. He is an educator, nonprofit executive, and a proven leader with over a decade of experience achieving results in education, leadership development, and public finance.
He has held roles in the Obama Administration's Department of Education and served as an aide to a U.S. Senator and a U.S. Congressman. He is an alumnus of Teach For America (Phoenix ’12), The Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs (’14-’15), the Fulbright Scholarship (Greece ’15-’16), the APAICS Congressional Fellowship (’16-’17), Leadership for Educational Equity Public Policy Fellowship (’18-'19) and the New Leaders Council ('23).
Tejeswara is passionately committed to ensuring America's next generation of leaders are supported, qualified, and prepared to ensure every person in America has the opportunity to succeed.
THE HISTORY OF THE URBAN LEADERS FELLOWSHIP
In 2011, newly elected Colorado State Senator Mike Johnston, his then-Chief of Staff Damion LeeNatali, and Meg Lafave developed a bold vision for enacting progressive policies for all Coloradans, but they knew that most local elected officials, school board member, and legislators didn’t have the staff support that they needed to impact change. They knew Denver was a community full of talented young leaders looking to make an impact but lacking a clear path for involvement. Through their work on the front lines of progressive policies in Colorado, they also knew Denver’s robust network of nonprofit and government organizations needed a talent infusion of energetic, determined young leaders.
From this challenge and optimism grew the Urban Leaders Fellowship (ULF), connecting high-achieving, passionate leaders with the opportunity to make a real impact in the community. Partnering with like-minded elected officials and companies set on improving their cities and towns, ULF grew with each passing year, and is now working with twelve elected and appointed officials and over 130 partner organizations across ten US cities.
Thanks to the hard work of over 600 fellows across the country, ULF has influenced over 150 pieces of policy, including immigration reform, criminal justice reform, and early childhood education and school finance reform.