Our Board of Trustees
All Board of Trustees and committee agendas and meeting notes are public record. They can be found online here.
Hector Zavala
ESQ, Assistant Clerk Magistrate, Springfield District Court
(he/him/his)
Attorney Zavala serves as the Board Chair for Libertas Academy Charter School. He is a Springfield Native. He began his career working with Children as an ongoing Social Worker with the Department of Children and Families. He has since been employed at the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse (formerly the Hampden County Hall of Justice) in several different roles over the last 14 years. He currently serves as the first Latino Assistant Clerk Magistrate of the Springfield District Court. Attorney Zavala is the proud guardian of a founding student of Libertas Academy Charter School.
Patrick Kayego
Community Volunteer
(he/him/his)
Patrick is a leader and a professional in the financial service sector. He attended the Springfield school systems (Science & Technology) and then the Elms College where he obtained his bachelors in Accounting & Business Management and an MBA with a focus in Finance. Committed to contributing to an ethical customer financial service, he is also involved in other nonprofit organizations and promotes access to an academic education at all levels. Patrick is a husband and a happy father of two beautiful children.
Dana Barrows
JD, CLU, CHFC, AEP, Estate and Business Planning Specialist
(he/him/his)
Dana has been involved with Libertas Academy as a friend, committee member, and trustee for over four years and is currently Chair of the Development Committee. An Estate and Business Planning Specialist for over 40 years, he is also heavily involved with several other nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley. Dana is the proud father of 4 daughters, grandfather of 3 granddaughters and a grandson, and is the happy spouse of Holly Babbitt.
Shakenna Williams
Executive Director, Babson College Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership, Babson Park, MA
(she/her/hers)
Dr. Shakenna K. Williams is the Executive Director of the Center of Women Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College. Shakenna received her doctorate from Capella University, her MBA in Integrated Marketing and Communications from Oklahoma City University, and a B.S. in Finance and Investments from Babson College. Shakenna is an active community member who volunteers with many organizations by serving as a coach and mentor to women and young girls. She has over 15 years of experience as an owner and planner of two entrepreneurial ventures.
Kari Diamond Kayiatos
Partner, Astro Chemicals, Inc.
(she/her/hers)
Kari spent 11 years in education as an admission officer and development professional at Berkshire School and Loomis Chaffee School before switching careers to join her family’s business, Astro Chemicals, located in Springfield MA. While her workdays are focused on chemical distribution, she brings extensive experience in educational non-profit fundraising and a passion for the Springfield community to the Libertas board.
Lauren Davis
Community Volunteer
(she/her/hers)
Lauren graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Wheaton College. Lauren spent several years working in real estate development. Lauren is a stay-at-home mom to 3 young children. Her passion for the education of Springfield youth combined with her drive to make a change was a foundation to three years serving as our previous Board Chair and to her ongoing commitment to the board and Libertas Academy Charter School.
Laurie Flynn
Community Volunteer
(she/her/hers)
Laurie Flynn is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Link to Libraries, a local nonprofit dedicated to getting books into the schools and homes of underserved children and families. She has twenty-five years of experience in public and media relations. Laurie lives in Longmeadow with her two sons.
Nick Barker
Dean of Students, Loomis Chaffee School, Windsor, CT
(he/him/his)
Nick is a school administrator who has worked with students from around the world during his twenty-year career. He has taught English and served as Department Chair and Dean of Students. Nick lives in Longmeadow with his wife and two children.
Azanda Seymour
Community Volunteer
(she/her/hers)
Tiffani Curtis
ED.D., School Supervisor, Holyoke Public Schools
(she/her/hers)
Dr. Curtis joined urban school education in 1992 as a Teach For America corps member. Although she started her career as a middle school math teacher in Los Angeles Unified School District, Dr. Curtis has worked with students from PK to highschool in California, Nevada, New York, and most recently Massachusetts. Dr. Curtis brings to the Board a wealth of knowledge in both public and charter school settings.