Noah Devine
Director of Educational Investments
Noah Devine is the Director of Educational Investments at SchoolSmartKC, where he leads the analytic efforts, strategy, planning, due diligence, support and monitoring efforts for expanding and fortifying quality school options for students in the Kansas City Public School System. Prior to joining SSKC, Noah was an independent consultant with local districts, state agencies, philanthropies and schools to improve the access and quality of educational options for students, including with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Before that, Noah worked for the Louisiana Department of Education as the director of Accountability Policy where he led data, analytics and stakeholder engagement to drive policy and decision-making across teacher, leader, school and district evaluation and accountability systems. Noah Devine holds a B.S. in political science from the Truman State University, an M.S. in political science from the University of Missouri, and an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Jessica Easter
Administrative Coordinator
Jessica Easter is the Administrative Coordinator for SchoolSmartKC, providing critical day-to-day support to the SchoolSmartKC team. Jessica’s work is grounded in her exceptional ability to streamline processes, maximize efficiency and cultivate important relationships within organizations and communities. Jessica has over 10 years of experience of senior-level executive support, identifying organizational requirements, correlating programs and coordinating events. Prior to joining SchoolSmartKC, Jessica provided high-level administrative support to managers and executives in the areas of Human Resources, Finance, Environmental Health, Maternal Child Health and Community Engagement with the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
As a native of Kansas City, Jessica deeply understands the importance of helping Kansas City schools find solutions to closing the achievement gap. She is excited to be a part of an organization that impacts the community she grew up in and enjoys being apart of such a dynamic team.
Jessica holds a B.A. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Cokethea Hill
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Cokethea Hill is Director of Strategic Partnerships at SchoolSmartKC, where she extend our partnerships across broad constituencies including parents, business and civic organizations, clergy and faith-based leaders, elected officials, council members, and neighborhoods, all in an effort to build momentum in support of school improvement and student success. Cokethea previously held the title of Director of Family Engagement. Prior to her work with SchoolSmartKC, Cokethea was Vice President for Diversity and Special Initiatives at United Way of Greater Kansas City, focusing on building partnerships and growing philanthropic support in communities of color. Previously, she served as Community Development Specialist for the Mid America Regional Council’s Green Impact Zone and College Coach for the Kauffman Scholars program. Cokethea brings to SchoolSmartKC extensive grassroots experience in community organizing and development, a passion for equity and education, and an ability to build partnerships across political, civic, and business communities. She has served as a school board member for Kansas City Public Schools and as a council member for the City of Kansas City. Cokethea holds her Doctorate in Education from the University of Kansas, a Masters in Psychology from Avila University and a Bachelors from the University of Central Missouri.
Angelique Nedved
Director of School Quality
As Director of School Quality at SchoolSmartKC, Angelique Nedved leads in depth reviews of schools for investment and the structuring of investment support to ensure quality schooling for local youth. She also drives SchoolSmartKC’s broader efforts to coordinate leadership, instruction and other supports needed for all schools in our local system to thrive. Angelique brings comprehensive experience in school improvement and organizational change focused on the adoption of modern and engaging learning environments. Her recent work in Lawrence Public Schools has earned her national recognition as one of the country’s Top 30 Technologists, Transformers and Trailblazers in 2016. Prior to joining SchoolSmartKC, Angelique served in the public education sector teaching grades kindergarten through high school, including five years as a building principal. She joined district level administration in Lawrence as Director of Instruction and Curriculum before accepting the position of Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. Angelique earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas, and holds a Masters in Education Administration and a Bachelors in Secondary and Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University.
Awais Sufi
President and Chief Executive Officer
Awais Sufi serves as Chief Executive Officer of SchoolSmartKC, having spent one year in the design of this effort as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Prior to his work in Kansas City, Awais served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Programs at the International Youth Foundation (IYF). At IYF, Awais led the organization’s development efforts for public-private partnerships between development agencies, the private sector and philanthropy to promote greater opportunity for disadvantaged youth in over 50 countries worldwide.
Before his tenure at IYF, Awais served as the startup Managing Director of the Education for Employment Foundation, which uses business validated training and education to provide economic opportunity to young people across the Middle East. Prior to this work, he served as a corporate and securities attorney at Arnold & Porter, a Washington, D.C. law firm, and as Law Clerk to the Honorable Judge John Sprizzo of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Raised in Topeka, Kansas, Awais is a graduate of the University Of Texas School Of Law and the University of Chicago.
Chrystal Truss
Manager of Operations
Chrystal Truss is the Manager of Operations at SchoolSmartKC, managing the organization’s operational tasks such as office and space management, information technology, human resources, and finance and expense management. Prior to her employment with SchoolSmartKC, Chrystal was a Scholarship Coordinator for Kauffman Scholars where she maintained partnerships with 76 colleges and managed approximately $3.5 million in scholarship expenses for over 400 college students. Prior to joining Kauffman Scholars, Chrystal worked as a Program Assistant for the Kansas City Freedom School Initiative.
Chrystal is excited to lend her operations experience and talent SchoolSmartKC and continue her career in the education arena.
She is involved in her community through volunteer and financial support of organizations like Communities Creating Opportunities, R.U.B.I.E.S. (Realizing Your Best In Every Situation), and Newhouse Shelter.
Chrystal is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Webster University in Kansas City, Missouri.
