Stacy Winitt
New York,NY
Summary
Nonprofit executive leader with over 20 years of experience in education, organizational leadership, and youth development. Brings deep expertise in systems thinking, grant writing, and building structures that support effective, sustainable growth. Proven track record of strengthening operations, securing funding, and driving student impact through thoughtful strategy and strong relationships.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Operating Officer
Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE)
Yonkers, NY
01.2026 - Current
- Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, leading strategic partnerships, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement to support organizational growth and long-term sustainability
- Secured major public funding through successful federal grant awards, including AmeriCorps ($975K over 3 years) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers ($475K annually over 5 years)
- Drove sustained fundraising growth, increasing annual revenue from $3.1M to $3.8M+ and improving donor retention from 40% to 57% over three fiscal years
- Built and implemented systems to track and manage revenue in DonorPerfect, strengthening data integrity, reporting, and strategic decision-making
- Set and manage strategy for corporate and institutional partnerships, overseeing a team responsible for stakeholder engagement and ensuring consistent, high-quality external relationship management
- Rebuilt and strengthened a 250+ member volunteer corps by increasing accountability and engagement, transforming it into an active, high-impact program
- Designed and scaled a sustainable Essay Coach model, annually matching 275+ seniors with trained volunteers for one-on-one college essay support
- Developed and streamlined internal systems and processes across non-program functions, increasing organizational efficiency and reliability
- Recognized as a trusted advisor and mentor to staff across levels, contributing to team development, alignment, and organizational culture
- Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships — Sept 2024–Dec 2025
- Senior Director, Volunteer Engagement — Dec 2022–Aug 2024
- Director, Volunteer Engagement — Dec 2021–Nov 2022
Head of School (Interim)
Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School
Bronx, NY
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Led all aspects of a 6–12 turnaround school serving 775 students, including instruction, operations, and staff management (115 employees)
- Implemented programmatic and structural changes to improve academic outcomes in a high-needs environment
- Used data-driven approaches to monitor student performance and guide instructional decisions
Principal (Lower Academy, K–8)
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
Bronx, NY
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Led a K–8 program serving 460 students and 50 staff members
- Directed implementation of Common Core–aligned ELA and Math curricula across grade levels
- Built a school culture grounded in high expectations, academic achievement, and respect
Founder & Executive Director
New Heights Academy Charter School
New York, NY
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Founded and led a charter school serving 750 students and employing 100 staff members
- Directed all instructional, operational, and financial functions of the organization
- Secured successful five-year charter renewal through strong academic and organizational performance
- Ensured full compliance with federal, state, and city regulations
Assistant Principal, Staff Developer, Teacher
NYC Department of Education
New York, NY
01.1993 - 01.2006
- Progressed from teacher to staff developer to assistant principal within a single school, reflecting sustained leadership and impact
- Recognized for excellence in both ELA and mathematics instruction, with a strong track record of improving student outcomes
- Led professional development for faculty in literacy, mathematics, and classroom management
- Designed and managed complex master schedules for 2,400+ middle school students across multiple start times, ensuring efficient use of staff and instructional time
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Bank Street College of Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Cornell University
Skills
- Organizational Leadership & Strategy
- Fundraising & Grant Writing
- Strategic Partnerships
- Systems Design & Operational Efficiency
- Staff Development & Mentorship
- Data-Informed Decision Making
Affiliations
Teach For America, Corps Member (1993)
Certification
School Administrator/Supervisor (PK–12) – New York, New Jersey, Maryland
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE)
01.2026 - Current
Head of School (Interim)
Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School
01.2019 - 01.2020
Principal (Lower Academy, K–8)
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
01.2014 - 01.2015
Founder & Executive Director
New Heights Academy Charter School
01.2006 - 01.2013
Assistant Principal, Staff Developer, Teacher
NYC Department of Education
01.1993 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Cornell University
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Bank Street College of Education