Dominique D. Lee is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Building Resilient Intelligent Creative Kids (BRICK) Education Network. The education community has taken notice of BRICK’s transformative approach under Dominique’s leadership. He was cited in Dale Rusakoff’s New York Times bestselling book The Prize, featured on the front page of The New York Times in 2010 and in 2011, was named to TheGrio’s 100: History Makers in the Making list which recognizes the next generation of African-American thought leaders and industry disruptors from collective fields like education. Dominique has also been awarded the Leaders and Legends Award for Outstanding Achievement in Early Childhood Education by Programs for Parents, the Making a Difference award by The Russell Berrie Foundation, and the Young Changemakers Award by the Community Foundation of New Jersey. He is also a member of the Pahara Aspen-Nextgen fellowship program.

Dominique’s role as a service corps teacher with Teach for America precipitated his commitment to transform America’s public education system. He believes that while education allows children to achieve their dreams, too many Black and Brown children don’t have the opportunities and resources they need to learn because historic inequities still rob them of an equitable education. His personal mission is to right this wrong through BRICK. Dominique received his B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan and his M.A. in education leadership from New York University. He and his partner now live in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Chaleeta Hines is a dedicated educational leader currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at the BRICK Education Network. With over 20 years of experience, she has consistently improved instructional practices and strengthened student achievement. At BRICK, she enhances operational efficiency and implements innovative processes. Known for her commitment to operational excellence, she ensures that all systems and processes are optimized for peak performance. She also serves as the School Board Secretary for Gateway Academy, further demonstrating her dedication to educational leadership and governance. She has previously held various leadership roles such as Principal, Regional Executive Director, Chief School Administrator, and Chief of Staff. Her career highlights include earning recognition as Teacher of the Year and successfully driving the adoption of new educational programs and strategies. Throughout her career, she has been committed to fostering an environment of continuous improvement and building strong relationships with teachers, parents, administrators, and community members.

Randy Gooden is the Managing Director of Information Governance and Performance for the BRICK Education Network. Her current role includes oversight of network applications, data and compliance; using each to aid in improving efficiency in Network systems and data management and decision. Randy’s unyielding dedication toward leveraging systems to create and implement innovative strategies to bridge the dichotomy that exists between network functions and its relevance to students’ experiences both inside and outside of the classroom environment is the primary driver of her work.  

Over the course of her 20+ year career in education (in the private and public sectors), she has successfully provided technical training and academic instruction/support to over 500 medical students, physicians, K-12 students, teachers and administrators. A few of her major credits include: initiating the overhaul of Union County Team's Charter Schools' Student Information System; designing UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School's first electronic Student Clinical Experience Log Database; and serving on the team that retrofitted the Smithsonian Institution's American Art and Portrait Galleries while employed with Hartman-Cox Architects.

In addition to these accomplishments, Randy served as an evaluation on several National Institutes of Health and Department of Health and Human Services research initiatives, as well as a School-Based Program Manager for Turner Construction's Youth Force 2020 Program.Randy holds a BS in Architectural Studies from Florida A& M University, as well as an active NJ K-8 Teacher of Elementary School Certification.

Nichelle Holder is the Chief Advancement Officer for the BRICK Education Network. Nichelle’s current role includes board development, fundraising, program management, and strategic partnerships. Prior to joining BEN, Nichelle was the first Chief Service Officer for the City of Newark and led a collaborative effort to develop and implement a comprehensive citywide volunteer service plan. With more than 20 years of management experience in philanthropy and nonprofit, Nichelle has effectively brokered needed social services to under-resourced schools, communities and various organizations devoted to youth development and empowerment. Nichelle began her career at The City Kids Foundation, an arts organization that trains and supports young people to become agents of change. She then became a Project Director at Communities in Schools of Newark, an affiliate of the largest national dropout prevention organization and was promoted to Managing Director, supervising 8 Project Directors. Nichelle also served as a Program Officer of The MCJ Amelior Foundation, where she oversaw and managed $10 million in annual giving. Nichelle holds a bachelors of arts in English and African-American studies from Columbia University.

Tashia Martin serves as Managing Director of Program Integration at BRICK, where she orchestrates the development and execution of BRICK's Ubuntu social and emotional learning, school culture, and restorative justice initiatives. For almost two decades, Tashia has been at the forefront of driving and actualizing strategic endeavors that prioritize human-centric methodologies, cultural enrichments, multi-tiered systems, and trauma-informed care. With an unyielding commitment to fortifying leadership proficiencies, Tashia serves as an inspiration to leaders, urging them to embrace data-driven methodologies conducive to fostering positive growth among employees, youth, and families alike. Leveraging her expertise as a clinician, coach, district administrator, consultant, and strategist across various sectors including education, behavioral health, child welfare, and community systems, Tashia imparts her wisdom and guidance.

Ms. Martin’s educational background includes a Master’s degree in Social Work Non-Profit and Public Management from Rutgers University, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Temple University, and further enriched by a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. Endowed with licensure as a Restorative Practices Trainer through the International Institute of Restorative Practices, Tashia possesses specialized skills in cultivating healing and fostering accountability within organizational frameworks.

Tashia’s influence transcends her professional obligations. As an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she has made significant contributions as a youth committee chair. Furthermore, she has lent her expertise to numerous committees and boards, including the Morristown-Beard School Alumni Board, MBS Racial Justice Steering Committee, Student Discipline Policy Steering Committees, and the Advisory Council for Imagine, a Center for Coping with Loss.

Above all, Tashia is driven by a profound sense of purpose – to facilitate the transcendence of individuals and communities from cyclical patterns and to restore their legacy by harnessing a culture of collectivism and transformative power encapsulated in the notion of “I Am”.

Chris Perpich is the President of BRICK and the served as the Founding Principal for Achieve Community Charter School. Chris began his career as an educator as a Teach For America Corps Member at Branch Brook School in Newark, where he taught 3rd and 4th grades for six years. Chris was part of the founding team of BRICK Academy and served as vice principal of BRICK’s first campus, BRICK Avon Academy. After four years as vice-principal, Chris transitioned to BRICK’s Chief Academic Officer. As CAO, Chris worked to build the organization’s academic and social emotional program. In 2022, Chris moved into the President role and leads all school-facing work. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in English language & literature and history from the University of Michigan and a master’s in education leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Mindy Weidman Duchi is the Chief Talent Officer for BRICK Education Network.

Mindy serves on the senior leadership team setting the strategic vision and overseeing all organization operations. In her role she leads the Talent team.  The BRICK Talent team manages all people & staff operations: recruitment, talent acquisition, payroll, HR, evaluation, and retention. The talent team ensures the structures, systems, and processes are in place that allow all managers/leaders to execute and operate the BRICK Talent Cycle.

Prior to becoming the Chief Talent & Performance Officer, Mindy co-founded BRICK and served as a school leader at BRICK’s first campus. In this role Mindy oversaw the middle school of over 300 scholars and 20+ staff. Mindy also previously served as Institute Director for TNTP’s TeacherNex program in Newark, hiring and training dozens of teachers for the city; as well as a Learning Team leader training and supporting Teach For America corps members teaching in Newark.

Mindy’s career focuses on talent and performance. Her work spans from creating the systems to select and onboard high quality employees, to coaching and developing staff directly, and ultimately evaluating and retaining top performers.  

Mindy has 20 years of education experience, and more than 10 years of leadership experience. She holds a BA from Millersville University as well as a MA from the University of Connecticut and MPA from Rutgers University. In addition, Mindy’s network includes her cohort experiences with Teach For America, New Leaders, Education Pioneers, Urban Schools Human Capital Academy, and Leadership Newark.  In her spare time Mindy enjoys volunteering with Impact100: Jersey Coast to Chair a Grants Committee.

Gwendolyne Martinez is a seasoned financial leader with over 21 years of experience in financial strategy, accounting, and operations across education and nonprofit sectors. As Vice President of Finance and School Business Administrator at BRICK Education Network, she oversees financial operations for the Network and charter schools, managing and driving financial sustainability. She also leads efforts in budgeting, financial reporting, and risk management to optimize resources for long-term impact.

Previously, Gwendolyne served as Managing Director of Finance at BRICK, where she restructured financial operations and established strong governance to support growth. Her work at Inwood Merchant Association (IMA) as Executive Director further showcased her ability to drive community change, where she managed a $1.7 million grant to revitalize local businesses and foster economic development in Inwood, NY.

In addition to founding Martinez Management Group, a consulting firm that supports small and mid-sized businesses with financial planning and operational efficiency, Gwendolyne is a certified School Business Administrator and holds a Master of Accountancy in Governmental Accounting from Rutgers University.

As a Board Member of the New York State Latino Restaurant Association, Gwendolyne continues to champion the growth of Latino-owned businesses, bringing her financial expertise to new arenas. She is also an active member of the Association of Latino Professionals for America, National Association of Professional Women, and W.O.M.E.N. in America, embodying her dedication to both professional and community empowerment.