Leadership Team

Board of Directors Blog Careers

	Mark Dunetz President Mark Dunetz began his career as an educator teaching English as a second language and social studies in New York City public schools. In his two decades working in education, Dr. Dunetz has worked as a program evaluator, an educational consultant and a professor of research methods and educational administration. He first worked at New Visions for Public Schools in 2006 when he supported the implementation of the organization’s first certification program for aspiring school administrators. While at New Visions, Dr. Dunetz also led the design of the first public high school to provide pathways to students from underrepresented communities into well-paid “below the line” careers in New York City’s television and film industry. Dr. Dunetz served as the founding principal of the Academy for Careers in Television and Film from 2008 until 2013 as it developed into one of the city’s most academically successful non-selective high schools. In 2013, Dr. Dunetz returned to New Visions as Vice President for School Support and Operations responsible for leading the organization’s partnership with the New York City Department of Education and the support of 80 partner schools. To strengthen this work, he led a significant expansion of the organization’s data and analytics capacity, the launch of a software development team and the creation of open source high school curriculum in core subjects. In 2016, Dr. Dunetz was selected to replace Robert L. Hughes as the president of New Visions. Dr. Dunetz holds a B.A. in U.S. History from the University of California, Santa Cruz; an M.A. in Teaching Speakers of Other Languages from New York University; and a Ph.D. in Urban Education with a concentration in education policy from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Dr. Dunetz sits on the boards of the New York City Charter School Center and The Research Alliance for New York City Schools.
	Nikki Giunta Chief of Staff Nikki joined New Visions in 2013 and is responsible for supporting cross-organizational project management, developing and refining the organization’s continuous improvement strategy, training coaches in implementing the strategy with schools, and overseeing the citywide scaling of the Portal by New Visions. Prior to working at New Visions, Nikki was a kindergarten teacher in Alexandria, Virginia. Nikki holds a Bachelor's degree in philosophy, a Master's degree in elementary education from the University of Virginia and a Master's degree in education in measurement, evaluation, statistics and assessment from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
	Brad Gunton Vice President, School Systems & Analytics Brad first joined New Visions in 2004 as a graduate intern. He supported New Visions’ early data work before moving to Tanzania in 2009, where he managed the research strategy for an NGO studying early literacy and numeracy throughout East Africa, in addition to conducting evaluations for USAID. He returned to New Visions in 2012 and now leads the school systems and data analytics department, which manages the New Visions Data Portal as well as a suite of tools for network leaders. His department creates online tools for leaders in over 300 schools throughout New York City to manage student progress and ensure every student receives the support they need to be successful. Prior to originally joining New Visions, Brad taught English in northern Kazakhstan. He has an M.P.A. from Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University.
	Joseph Posner Managing Director for Human Resources Joe joined New Visions in 2013 and oversees all Human Resources functions for New Visions for Public Schools and New Visions Charter High Schools, as well as teacher hiring support for New Visions Affinity schools. Joe and his team work to design systems, supports, and experiences that attract, engage and retain highly talented individuals. He brings nearly 20 years of experience working in Human Resources at diverse, mission-driven organizations, formerly serving as the head of HR for the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation and in progressive leadership roles at Safe Horizon, where he served as the senior director of HR. He holds a master's degree in forensic psychology from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a bachelor's degree in psychology and philosophy from Binghamton University. Additionally, he holds SPHR and SCP certifications in HR and is a licensed trainer. Joe is also a Shotokan Karate Instructor for the Police Activity League where he holds the rank of Yodan.
	Kiran Dilip Purohit Vice President, Curriculum & Instruction Kiran joined New Visions in 2012 and currently leads the curriculum and instruction team. Prior to working at New Visions, she collaborated with schools to develop coherent secondary science and math curricula and taught science and math in middle schools in New York City. She holds Master's degrees from Teachers College and New York University, and an Ed.D in curriculum studies from Columbia University, Teachers College.
	Cynthia Rietscha Chief Operating Officer Cynthia joined New Visions in 2014 as director of finance, responsible for all of the organization's financial functions, including accounting, grants management and budgeting. As chief operating officer, she currently oversees New Visions' human resources, finance, administration and technology departments. Prior to joining New Visions, she served as deputy chief financial officer with the Children’s Aid Society. Cynthia brings more than 20 years of financial management experience in the private and nonprofit sectors, and holds both an Executive MBA from Columbia University and an MPA from New York University.
	Edgar Rodriguez Vice President, School Support Edgar joined New Visions as the Superintendent of Charter Schools in 2021, responsible for overseeing the New Visions Charter High Schools network. He has over two decades of successful experience working in New York City public schools, including as a co-founder and leader of one the city’s most successful public high schools as well as adviser to senior NYCDOE leadership on various policies and initiatives. He began his teaching career in New York City public schools at Vanguard High School, where he developed and implemented an innovative mathematics curriculum for eight years. During his final year there, he became a founding member of the planning team for the launch of a new CTE school, the Academy for Careers in Television and Film, a New Visions supported school. He later served as the school's founding Assistant Principal from its opening in 2008 up until 2013, when he was appointed the school's Principal. Edgar holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, where he studied biology and worked as a laboratory researcher after migrating from Caracas, Venezuela. He went on to earn an M.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education at Hunter College and is currently pursuing his Ed.D at Fordham University.
	Jennie Soler-McIntosh Vice President, Community Engagement and Postsecondary Pathways Jennie Soler-McIntosh is responsible for leading the organization’s efforts around family engagement, community relationship-building, partnership development and postsecondary readiness for New Visions district and charter schools. During Jennie’s 18-year tenure at New Visions, she has played an integral role in the development of small schools and the cultivation of community and school partnerships. As part of the small schools creation team and the organization’s charter management unit, she helped to open 110 small schools and brokered 200+ school partnerships with community-based and non-profit organizations in support of the school creation efforts. Prior to joining New Visions, she was assistant commissioner for the Beacon Programs at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, where she worked with community-based organizations to build school partnerships and youth development community hubs throughout NYC. Jennie launched her career as a public servant, working on public health initiatives and in government as a grants and program manager, overseeing funding for public health, social service, and youth development programs. She attended New York University as an undergraduate student and received an M.A. in public administration from Baruch College, graduating from its National Urban Fellows Program She is an alum of the American Express Leadership Academy and is a current member of the Pahara-Aspen Education fellow, where she is recognized for her community engagement work as a leader in the education sector.