Leadership

As a youth-serving community leader, Jai strives to create a culture of excellence that prioritizes student success and growth. She believes that education is a powerful tool for liberation and strives to empower young people to become critical thinkers and active agents of change in their communities. As a former science teacher for grades 8th - 12th, her approach to education has been rooted in culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy. As a leader, Jai leads with a strong and unwavering direction towards liberatory education, which emphasizes the importance of social justice and community building. Jai is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for all students, staff, and families and to fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding. Jai is the first in her family to attend college, receiving a Bachelors of Science in Biological Psychology from UC Davis, and a Masters in Education from Reach Institute. In her free time, Jai enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, DJing, exercising, and generally anything that involves sunshine, community, laughter, traveling, and good vibes!

Sharon is an expert in account-based marketing and CXO engagement programs. She has worked as a consultant to Fortune 500 technology companies, including EMC, IBM, VMware, RSA, Symantec, Cisco, Microsoft, NetApp, VMware, Adobe, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Siebel Systems and Google. In response to an increased focus on CXO engagement and strategic account marketing, Sharon in 2008 founded Boardroom Insiders, a content company that provides the most in-depth executive profiles on the market today. Boardroom Insiders customers include Microsoft, IBM, HP, CA, EMC, Vodafone, Cisco, Tableau, Citrix, UPS and USPS. In the words of one of her longtime clients, "Sharon is the type of secret weapon that everyone wished they had in their arsenal." Born and raised in San Diego, California, Sharon worked as a freelance writer before earning a master's degree combining international relations and business from the University of California, San Diego. After moving to San Francisco in 1995 she worked in sales and marketing management for startup companies. She still lives in San Francisco with her husband and two boys.

Chris has over 10 years of senior management experience for corporations and non-profit organizations in Silicon Valley and San Francisco. Previously Chris served as Chief Operating Officer for Stanford Schools Corporation. Chris received a BA in History from Santa Clara University and an MBA from Boston University's Graduate School of Management. When not working, Chris travels as much as possible, preferably to places on paths less traveled. Having played for his college team, Chris is also an avid tennis player.

Ms. Khaziran joined the Gateway family in 2015 and is Co-Principal at GHS. She grew up in Los Angeles, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology. She moved to San Francisco in order to pursue a Master of Arts from USF in Counseling Psychology. After several years of working as a school counselor in San Francisco, Ms. Khaziran attended the UC Berkeley Principal Leadership Institute, where she earned her Master of Arts in Education. When she isn't running around the halls of Gateway, Ms. Khaziran spends her time teaching graduate students at USF and exploring the Bay Area.

Chanda is the Chief Development Officer, and brings more than 10 years of nonprofit development experience to Gateway Public Schools. Prior to Gateway, Chanda served as the Development Director at Seven Tepees Youth Program. Chanda earned her B.A. in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Towson University, and M.S. in Holistic Health and Nutrition Education from Hawthorn University. As the child of a military family, Chanda isn’t really from anywhere but claims Baltimore (pronounced Bawl-d-moor) as home. Chanda has lived in San Francisco since 2012; the longest stretch of living in the same place in her entire life. She is the founder #ladyboss, a professional women's meet-up group, dreams of cooking with Chef Yotam Ottelenghi, and loves a good spin class.

Alicia Montgomery was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and was the first in her family to graduate from college. She is a steadfast advocate for education advocacy, having served on numerous statewide coalitions, alliances, committees, and working groups, and has worked as a teacher, a school and district administrator, and at the post-secondary and state level. Immediately prior to stepping into the Executive Director role at Gateway, Alicia served as Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Powerful Public Schools, one of the state’s foremost organizations leading education reform and equity. An expert in literacy, school turnaround, and closing achievement gaps for Black and Brown students, she has received numerous awards and accolades over her 30-plus year-long career in education. She is also a published author and is considered a premier thought leader on education equity and improvement. Alicia received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, a master’s in Instructional Leadership and Curriculum Development from National University, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University.

Kevin has more than 16 years of experience in the social sector helping organizations and leaders understand their impact and strengthen their work. Kevin is currently a Senior Evidence Director at Project Evident partnering with nonprofit service providers to strengthen their evidence-building muscle. His community service includes advisory roles for 826 Valencia and the Center for Effective Philanthropy, and he is a former president of the board of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association. A native of the Bay Area, Kevin and his family have lived in San Francisco for the past 16 years, where his two children attend public school. He rises early most mornings to run in Golden Gate Park or swim with the University of San Francisco Masters Swim Team.

Aaron Watson is our Chief of Schools and Programs. Aaron formerly served as GMS' principal and is proud to have worked with teachers, families, and students to found Gateway Middle School in 2011. Prior to becoming principal, Aaron led the advisory program and taught humanities at Gateway High School for seven years and worked in a wraparound social services program for children and families involved in foster care in Alameda County. He earned a BA from Brown University and an MA in Education from UC Berkeley. Aaron also earned an MA in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley's Principal Leadership Institute. Outside of Gateway, Aaron enjoys getting outdoors, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Rebecca works to develop a cohesive, equity-oriented approach to teaching and learning through her role as Co-Principal. Before coming to Gateway, Rebecca taught humanities at Oakland Technical High School and earned her M.Ed. from UC Berkeley's Multicultural Urban Secondary English (MUSE) Program. She received her BA from Brown University, majoring in American Studies and Latin American Studies. Outside the classroom, Rebecca can be found exploring San Francisco's wild places with her husband and two young children.