HYA is proud to share the continued success of its partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). Increased recruiting and screening efforts supported the district through the task of hiring a strong executive leadership team. What began with the superintendent search that brought Dr. Brenda Cassellius to the district has grown into a series of additional leadership searches. This work underscores HYA’s ability to help districts build effective executive leadership teams, in addition to conducting superintendent searches.
In recent months, HYA Vice President and Senior Associate Mike Richie and his team have worked alongside MPS to identify, recruit, and screen leaders for several key positions, including:
- Brian Litzsey, Chief Family, Community and Partnership Officer
- Dominick Maniscalco, Chief Human Resources Officer
- Dr. Keely Roberts, Chief of Schools
- Tony Tagliavia, Chief Communications Officer
- Kurt Schneider, Academic Superintendent for Elementary Schools
- Dr. Jennifer Hernandez, Academic Superintendent for Elementary Schools
- Dr. Ebony Grice, Academic Superintendent for Elementary Schools
- Dr. Laurie Fiorenza, Academic Superintendent for Elementary Schools
- Dr. Silvia Romero-Johnosn, Academic Superintendent for Elementary Schools
- Dr. Carletta Noland, Academic Superintendent for Elementary Schools
- Dr. Elia Bruggeman, Academic Superintendent for Secondary Schools
- Aaron Shapiro, Academic Superintendent for Secondary Schools
These appointments are part of a strategic effort to strengthen the district’s leadership capacity in alignment with MPS’s focus on academic achievement, safe and welcoming schools, and operational efficiency. Each of these leader brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of service to students and families, equipping MPS with the expertise needed to drive lasting impact.
Dr. Cassellius shared her excitement about the newly completed team, “We have built the right team of leaders to empower our school leaders and support our students. They are ready to lean into our three areas of focus this year.”
This expanded work with MPS demonstrates that when HYA delivers high-quality, thoughtful search processes, districts recognize the value of expanding their partnerships with the firm and are able to build their team with confidence. It’s a reminder that every successful search is an opportunity, not only to recommend an exceptional leader but also to earn the trust that can open the door to future collaborations. The partnership doesn’t end with the search, superintendents who are involved in an HYA search gain access to the HYA Transition Academy, which focuses on Navigating the Superintendent’s transition, setting the tone for trust, stability, and momentum. The firm also offers a plethora of support services like Board Governance Workshops, Strategic Plan Consulting, Dashboards, and Surveys to ensure a smooth and effective transition year.
By engaging HYA for multiple searches, MPS benefited from consistency in process, deepened community engagement, and a cohesive approach to building its leadership team. HYA’s local associate’s familiarity with the district’s culture, priorities, and needs allowed the team to present candidates who not only met the qualifications for each role but also complemented one another, ensuring that the district’s chosen senior leadership team would function as a unified whole.
By guiding superintendent, cabinet, and other critical leadership searches, HYA continues to fulfill its mission of empowering districts to build strong, student-focused leadership teams.
