Under Pressure: Leading Schools through Scarcity and Stress
Economic uncertainty is nothing new to charter schools—but it’s never been easy. From recessions and deferrals to COVID-19 to today’s declining enrollment, leaders have had to make high-stakes decisions with limited time and imperfect information.
This session brings together veteran school leaders who’ve navigated these challenges and come out stronger. Together, they’ll share the tools they’ve used to stay steady in crisis, engage stakeholders in tough tradeoffs, and act decisively while preserving long-term mission alignment. Participants will leave with adaptable decision-making frameworks, examples of what worked (and didn’t), and habits that support resilience in times of ambiguity. This skill is not about hindsight—it’s about building foresight and calm in the chaos.
Presented by
Jason Sitomer
Head of Client Finance
Charter Impact
Jason serves as the Managing Director for Charter Impact, where he leads a team of 21 directors supporting the financial operations of more than 130 charter schools nationwide. He joined the organization four years ago and plays a key role in strategic growth, fiscal oversight, and client thought partnership. Prior to Charter Impact, Jason served as Senior Director of Finance for a large charter network comprising 27 schools. Over his five-year tenure, he oversaw financial forecasting, cash management, banking relationships, authorizer compliance, and strategic reporting. Jason is a committed advocate for school choice and expanding educational opportunities beyond the traditional public school system.
Kennedy Hilario
CEO
ACE Charter Schools
Mr. Hilario is currently the CEO of ACE Charter Schools, where he is responsible for managing the finances, operations, compliance and fundraising, as well as guiding the instructional recovery of the student community after the pandemic setback. Kennedy comes to ACE with a track record of leading growth, financial and academic achievement in several charter school networks in California and Massachusetts and has assisted in the turnaround of district schools. He is a native Spanish speaker and has extensive knowledge of the K-12 school space - including deep experience working with student populations from low-income communities.
Sebastian Cognetta
CEO
Allegiance STEAM Academy - Thrive
Sebastian Cognetta is the CEO of Allegiance STEAM Academy, a charter organization serving students in the Inland Empire. With over 15 years of leadership experience in public education, Sebastian is committed to creating systems that elevate stakeholder voice, expand school choice, and promote academic excellence through innovation and community engagement.
William Toomey
Superintendent
INGENIUM SCHOOLS
Bill brings nearly three decades of experience at every level in public education. He has worked across the country starting his teaching career in Chicago, where he received the “National Educator of the Year” award in 1998. Bill’s multi-faceted career includes serving as a Teacher, Principal, Director, Deputy Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, Chief Business Officer, and Superintendent. A strong focus on achieving exceptional learner outcomes, while growing school networks fiscally and nationally for two charter management organizations serving over 100,000 students, has been the cornerstone of Bill’s career. His inspirational leadership, mentorship, and relationship-building have helped develop many current educational leaders nationwide. He is driven by a passion for creating and leading high-quality school choice options in underserved communities.
