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.

Our Staff

Bridget Lee

Executive Director

A senior leader with over a decade of experience in the education sector, Bridget Lee has devoted her professional career to improving student, educator, and school outcomes. Prior to serving as the founding Executive Director of ALL Chicago Fellowship, Bridget served as Director of Engagement and Operations for The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund), where she led the strategic stewardship of The Fund’s funders, stakeholders, partners, and team.

Pattilyn Beals

Director of Programs

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

Director of Community Engagement

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. 

Sabrena Lopez

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