Beacon Academy

Dr. Carter has over 20 years of experience working with children and families with limited access to power and privilege, and has committed his career to improving social and economic justice. Before joining Beacon Academy, he was a founding member of the leadership team for Project Evident and served as Deputy Director and Chief Strategy Officer at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. He holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph.D. in Social Work from Boston College.

Danielle Boudreau has over two decades of experience supporting the fundraising needs of high-impact, entrepreneurial nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Beacon Academy, she worked as the Director of Investor Relations at New Profit Inc. and as a private consultant. She is a former Board member at KIPP: Massachusetts and currently serves on their Development Committee.

Karen Liberatore has extensive experience working with youth and families across diverse settings, including roles in the nonprofit sector directing after-school programs and managing operations. She previously served as the first female Director of Camp Hale and worked as a reading specialist in public schools. She holds a Master’s in Education from Simmons University and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Smith College.

Sarah Holden has over two decades of experience helping students and families navigate educational paths, with a career shaped by a commitment to educational equity. She previously built and scaled a college success program at Brooke Charter School and served as the Guidance Director at Beacon High School. She holds an Ed.S. in School Counseling from UMass Amherst, an M.Ed. from Lesley University, and a B.A. from Wheaton College.

Anne-Marie Yu-Phelps previously worked for three years in a women’s holistic health and education center in Brazil as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner. She also taught for ten years at Newton Country Day School and taught English in Honduras, Hong Kong, and Texas. She graduated from Amherst College and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard with a focus on teaching and curriculum for secondary school English.

Ashley Miranda has a background in education equity and supporting students through educational transitions, having previously served as the Associate Director of Talent at BES. Her experience also includes roles as the Assistant Teen Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and as an Alumni Services Coordinator for Roxbury Preparatory Charter School. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Culture & Society from King’s College London and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Amherst College.

Annie Jean-Baptiste is an education professional with a Master’s degree in Teacher Education History and Education Policy from Brandeis University. She has experience as a classroom teacher, facilitator, and guidance counselor, and is a member of the 2024-2025 SPARK Boston Council.