Digital Pioneers Academy

Developing the Next Generation of Innovators

Our Board

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

About Our Board

DPA’s Board of Directors is a passionate group of community and business leaders who share a commitment to developing the next generation of innovators. Board members serve as trusted advisors to DPA’s leadership team and maintain important financial and administrative oversight.

Mashea Ashton, Secretary

CEO, Digital Pioneers Academy

Mary Wells, Chair

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bellwether Education Partners

Sara Batterton, Treasurer

Independent Consultant

Orlena Nwokah Blanchard, Vice Chair

Founder and Managing Partner, Seven Elements

Legand Burge

Professor and Executive Director, Howard West - Google Tech

Henry Hipps

Senior Advisor, Owl Ventures

Kevjorik Jones

Senior Vice President, PNC Real Estate

Paul O'Neill

Co-founder and Senior Fellow Emeritus, The Center for Learner Equity and Partner, Barton Gilman LLP

Sha Tina Brown

Director of Operations, Double's BBQ & Soul Food Experience

Board Meetings

Meetings and Minutes

2025-26 School Year

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS

All board meeting minutes can be found here.

Digital Pioneers Academy – 2025-26 Board Meeting Dates
  • Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 3pm
  • Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 3pm
  • Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 3pm
  • Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 3pm
  • Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 3pm
  • Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 3pm (FY27 budget to be approved)

Assurance Statement
The number of meetings is not fewer than what is stated in the school’s bylaws.

Digital Pioneers Academy – 2024-25 Board Meeting Dates
  • Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 3pm
  • Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 3pm
  • Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 3pm
  • Tuesday February 11, 2025 at 3pm
  • Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 3pm
  • Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 3pm
  • Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 1pm (FY26 budget to be approved)
 

 

Digital Pioneers Academy – 2022-23 Board of Directors Schedule
Digital Pioneers Academy Open Meeting Policy:

As a public charter school, our board meetings are open to the community, though personnel discussions, contract negotiations, confidential student information and sensitive matters will always be handled in closed session.

Board meetings are generally virtual and held on Thursdays at 3pm. Board meetings are open to the public. To attend, please email katie.thaeder@digitalpioneersacademy.org at least 3 business days in advance so that we can provide you with the meeting link and any materials for the meeting.

Meeting recordings are available upon request — please reach out to katie.thaeder@digitalpioneersacademy.org.

Meet the Leadership Team