Who We Are

Our vision

Helping to grow brilliant minds and bright futures.

Accelerate Great Schools believes that every child, in every neighborhood in Cincinnati, deserves a great K – 12 education. We identify parent and community needs, grow the number of high-performing school options to meet those needs, and we increase the number and diversity of great teachers and principals.

Our History

2015
Accelerate Great Schools launches a fund to expand high-quality school options, and helps advance charter school accountability reform bill (HB2).
2016
AGS supports the expansion of a successful personalized learning program (Seton Blended Learning) within Archdiocesan and Catholic Inner-City Education (CISE) Fund schools.
2017
AGS supports the launch of CPS’ Spencer Center, and executes initial talent investments with CPS and CISE.
2018
AGS supports the Student Success Center at CPS’ Walnut Hills High School and engages with local partners on plans to increase number of high-quality school options.
2019
AGS supports efforts to expand funding to high-quality charter schools, launches second fundraising campaign, and supports the launch of ReGeneration Schools in Bond Hill.
2020
AGS supports the launch of Romero Academy at Resurrection, and funds COVID-19 technology/access grants for CPS, Princeton, Lockland and CISE.
2022
AGS supports the launch of IDEA Public Schools in Price Hill and Woodlawn, and launches a partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and fellowships with Mount St. Joseph University.
2023
AGS supports the launch of Romero Academy at Annunciation, ReGeneration Avondale, and ReGeneration Middle School.

Our Leaders

Brian Neal
Chief Executive Officer
Brian Neal
Chief Executive Officer

Brian Neal is the chief executive officer for Accelerate Great Schools. Brian leads our efforts to increase access to high-quality schools for underserved students across Cincinnati. Prior to this role, Brian worked as a program officer for the Farmer Family Foundation, a private foundation that invests in causes that promote educational opportunities for underprivileged youth, stability for the economically disadvantaged, and healthcare research.

Brian has worked across all sectors to support students and families in Ohio. Most notable is Brian’s work as the Ohio Director for the SEED Foundation’s Ohio expansion effort, a $60M campaign to launch Ohio’s first public, college-preparatory boarding for underserved children. Brian also led the statewide Ohio Parent Information and Resource Center for United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and he was a founding resource coordinator during Cincinnati Public Schools’ district-wide Community Learning Centers’ launch. Brian’s efforts have led to statewide policy changes, Ohio-specific public-private partnerships, and strong local and statewide community collaborations.

Brian received his bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing from the University of Cincinnati. Brian is happily married with four children – three daughters and one nephew.

Paige Elisha Lindy
Chief of Staff and Operations
Paige Elisha Lindy
Chief of Staff and Operations

Paige Elisha Lindy is the chief of staff and operations at Accelerate Great Schools. She has worked in various roles to increase educational outcomes for students. Paige led instruction as a classroom teacher (9th grade English), has run operations for a national training institute for new teachers, and has served on the board of a non-profit that helps teachers and organizations initiate and run programs to enrich student development and growth. Prior to joining Accelerate Great Schools, Paige worked at American Express.

Paige holds an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke. She and her husband have two children.

Deborah Howard
Senior Vice President of Programs and Impact
Deborah Howard
Senior Vice President of Programs and Impact

Deb Howard is the senior vice president of programs and impact for Accelerate Great Schools. She brings to the role nearly 40 years of experience across the education, nonprofit and corporate sectors. Through her various roles, Deb has touched the lives of thousands of students, educators and leaders in more than 60 school K-12 systems and some 30 institutions of higher education.

Deb held leadership roles with nationally-recognized KnowledgeWorks Foundation, the Cleveland Education Fund and the North East Independent School District in San Antonio. Deb holds a BA in English and Communication Arts and a MA in Educational Leadership from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. She is married to Ron Howard, a professor of nursing at The Christ College. They have two adult children and six amazingly talented grandchildren.

Latricia Jones
Vice President of Grants Management and Partner Success
Latricia Jones
Vice President of Grants Management and Partner Success

Latricia Jones is a native Cincinnatian who knows first-hand about the importance of quality education as she and her husband navigate the school system for their four children. Through her 13 year journey in the non-profit sector, she has collaborated with key stakeholders and partners in support of education and enrichment initiatives for students and families. She currently serves on community boards dedicated to elevating the educational experience of young people that fosters the pathway to success.

Latricia earned a B.S. from Missouri Southern State University and anticipates receiving a MS from Northern Kentucky University in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change in 2020. Latricia aspires to be a change agent in helping others achieve their highest potential.

Our Board of Directors

Scott Farmer | Co-Chairman/CEO of Cintas
George Joseph | Co-Chairman/ President of Joseph Auto Group
Joe Allen | Chief Diversity Officer of GE Aviation
Dorothy Battle, Ph.D. | Educational Consultant of Charting Democratic Journeys
Jeb Head | President of Atkins & Pearce, Inc.
Mary Beth Martin | Executive Director of Farmer Family Foundation
Laura Mueller | Trustee of The James J. & Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation
Tom Williams | Partner and President of North American Properties