Carla Bates is an Information Technology Professional in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Carla participates daily in the technological transformation taking place in education and looks forward to bringing this passion and expertise to the Minneapolis School Board. Carla received her PhD in American Studies from the University of Minnesota in 1998; Carla’s doctoral work explored the conceptions of citizenship guiding many 20th century social reformers and policy experts.

Carla and her partner Susan have three children in the Minneapolis Public Schools ranging from grade school to high school. Carla comes to the board with an extensive background as a parent and community activist. Carla grew up in Pierre, SD, and moved to Minneapolis in the early 1980’s. Carla loves to do crossword puzzles, read out loud to her children, go to the BWCA, learn about technology, and watch and read funny science fiction.

Jill Davis is the Supervisor of Anoka Area Interagency Early Intervention, a service for families with children, birth to three, concerned about the development of their child and interested in services to support their child’s development. Over the past 12 years, Jill worked as social worker and supervisor for the School Based Teams Initiative, a program of the Anoka County Children and Family Council. Jill’s work with School Based Teams Initiative involved working in collaboration with the seven school districts in Anoka County to assist families address barriers, such as mental health issues and poverty, that impact the academic success of their children. Jill also has a background in early childhood mental health and early childhood care and education.

A graduate of Minneapolis Edison and a native of NE Minneapolis, Davis has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from St. Mary’s Graduate Center. She is licensed as a psychologist.

Peggy Flanagan was first elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 2004 and was the first Native American and youngest individual to serve on the body. She served from 2005 to 2009. Peggy is excited to return to the Minneapolis Board of Education as an appointee to serve out the remainder of former Director Pam Costain's term.

Peggy is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota. She is the Director of the Native American Leadership Program at Wellstone Action! She has worked as Director of Community Outreach for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), as coordinator of Urban Immersion Service Retreats for the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, and as Project Manager for Parents Plus at the Division of Indian Work in Minneapolis. Peggy was the First Americans GOTV Coordinator for the Minnesota DFL on behalf of the Barack Obama Campaign for Change and Al Franken for Senate campaigns in 2008.

Peggy has served on the boards of several community organizations, including the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, Native American Community Development Institute, Native Vote Alliance of Minnesota, the Young Elected Officials Network and Sojourners. In 2008, she was recognized by the Minnesota Jaycees as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans. She received her degree in American Indian Studies and Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2002.

Originally from New York City, Lee is a retired district employee, having taught middle grades math, mentored first year middle grades teachers, and provided professional development to teacher leaders and principals on the implementation of middle grades reform.

Lee currently serves on the Board for Tasks Unlimited, a non-profit organization that promotes self sufficiency for adults with serious and persistent mental illness.

Tom Madden is the president of X Mark, Inc., a marketing service firm located in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis. He brings to the district more than 19 years of experience in marketing strategy, partnership marketing, and customer retention experience. A native of Bloomington, MN, Madden holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and an executive leadership program certificate from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Chris Stewart has been a director with the Minneapolis Board of Education since being elected in 2006. He owns Yielding Assets, LLC, a strategic development consultancy that develops regenerative business models so that mission-driven organizations thrive with less donative capital. He works with community-based partners to create assets, increase trust, and build self-sufficient, sustainable communities.

In the past Mr. Stewart has worked as a Workforce Developer for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, an Employment Consultant for Goodwill Easter Seals, a Job Developer for Jewish Family Services, and a jobs program consultant for several Twin Cities social service agencies. Mr. Stewart's passion for serving marginalized communities has led to the creation of several initiatives including Work For People, the Twin Cities Legal Pipeline, and Action for Equity.

A native of New Orleans, LA, Mr. Stewart is a certified career development facilitator with special training in case management of clients with dual diagnoses of domestic abuse and chemical dependency.

T. Williams brings to the position of board director more than 20 years of public, nonprofit management and administrative experience. He also has more than 15 years of research and evaluation experience with a focus on faith-based organizations, community economic developments, and educational issues.

Williams has also conducted research at Rainbow Research, Inc., and served as a senior fellow at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He also served as the executive director at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and Ombudsman for Corrections for the State of Minnesota.

A native of Mississippi, Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.