Our Team
At the Academy for Local Leadership, our passionate and experienced team is committed to building stronger, more equitable public schools through authentic community leadership. Under the guidance of Executive Director Bridget Lee, our staff and advisory members bring a deep dedication to coalition-building, governance training, and creating spaces where diverse voices can shape the future of education. Together, we empower emerging leaders to serve their communities with integrity, vision, and lasting impact.
Bridget Lee is the Founder of the Academy for Local Leadership (ALL Chicago), where she leads a citywide effort to build the next generation of civic and education leaders capable of driving systems-level change.
Bridget brings more than a decade of experience working inside large public systems, leading equity-centered strategy, and mobilizing communities. At Chicago Public Schools, she served as Chief of Staff to Interim Chief Education Officer Dr. Maurice Swinney, where she helped lead districtwide academic strategy and coordinated the work of more than a dozen Central Office teams. Bridget led the initiative to redesign CPS’s school accountability system—beginning with a full racial equity impact analysis—and guided major shifts to ensure the system better reflected students’ learning experiences and community priorities.
More About Bridget
During her five years at CPS, Bridget also co-led the district’s COVID-19 return-to-school task force and facilitated the strategic planning process for the Central Office of the nation’s fourth-largest school district. In that role, she integrated the CPS Equity Framework and Cycles of Inquiry into annual planning and aligned all departments around a shared set of goals connected to the district’s five-year vision.
Before coming to Chicago, Bridget worked for the City of Indianapolis Mayor’s Office, where she served as a parent organizer and supported families in navigating school quality and access. That experience—grounded in listening, community partnership, and accountability—continues to shape her leadership today.
Bridget previously served as Director of Engagement and Operations at The Chicago Public Education Fund, where she stewarded key relationships with funders and partners and supported organizational strategy. She began her career as a middle school teacher after earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She is a 2018 Surge Institute Fellow and a 2019 Teach for America Elevate Fellow.
Pattilyn Beals
Director of Programs
Learn about Pattilyn
A proud Chicagoan from Englewood, Pattilyn has spent her career advocating for equitable education opportunities. Currently the Manager of Government and Community Affairs for Noble Schools, she has worked to ensure parents have a voice in shaping the educational landscape. As an ALL Chicago Class 1 alumna, she has a deep understanding of the fellowship experience. She is excited to join the staff to ensure a high-quality, transformative experience for future fellows.
Carolina Estay
Community Engagement Director
Learn about Carolina
Carolina brings over 15 years of experience in public education, community engagement, and leadership development. At CPS, she developed training for over 6,000 LSC members and played a key role in strengthening school governance. She is deeply committed to creating inclusive and equitable learning environments. We are beyond excited for her to lead the development and execution of our Community Empowerment Program.
Makinde A. Adedapo
Growth & Impact Manager
Learn about Makinde
Makinde A. Adedapo is a dynamic Chicago-based leader with more than 14 years of experience as a Social Studies educator and over 20 years in live event production, specializing in large-scale logistics, entertainment coordination, and community-centered events. A 2025 Surge Fellow and ALL Chicago 2026 Fellow, he is committed to advancing educational equity and systems change while leveraging his expertise to create transformative experiences across schools, cultural institutions, and nonprofits. Makinde also serves on the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Steering Committee, continuing to shape impactful cultural and community initiatives.”
Crystal Stevens
Program Coordinator
Learn about Crystal
Crystal Stevens is a community development professional and entrepreneur. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Experimental
Psychology with a minor in African American Studies from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s degree in International Development from IE University.
Her professional experience includes program coordination, community engagement, and partnership support, with a strong emphasis on building trust and capacity within marginalized
communities. She has led large-scale programs, supported strategic initiatives, and coordinated events that brought together diverse stakeholders in support of goals related to education, housing, and community development.
Crystal’s work is rooted in a commitment to community resilience, civic participation, and equitable capacity building, centering the voices and lived experiences of historically disinvested communities.
Sabrena Lopez
Operations Director
Learn about Sabrena
With expertise in nonprofit management and business operations, Sabrena brings a strategic approach to optimizing workflows and ensuring sustainable growth. Since joining the team in December, he has supported the team in developing sustainable knowledge management systems, hiring practices, and operational processes that lay the groundwork for building successful programming and achieving outcomes.
Our Board
Rudy Lozano
Executive Director with Global Philanthropy
JPMorgan Chase & Co
Maurice Swinney
Chief Innovation Officer
Chicago Beyond
