Common Ground Board of Directors 2025-08-25T12:49:03-04:00
The Common Ground Board of Directors

Common Ground is governed by a Board of Directors – volunteer community members who provide oversight and support to the organization so it can fulfill its mission as a community non-profit organization and public charter high school. Board members come from different backgrounds and reflect the rich diversity of our community.

Alexis Smith, Chair, Executive Director of New Haven Legal Aid, Email: alexis.smith@nhep.com

Jeff Carter, Treasurer, Owner of Westmount Group, Email: jeff.carter@nhep.com

Kyeen Andersson, Secretary, Public Health Policy Analyst, Email: kyeen.andersson@nhep.com

Sarah Field, Common Ground High School Science Teacher, Email: sarah.field@nhep.com

Lizanne Cox, Retired Common Ground High School Director, Email: liz.cox@nhep.com

Brian Kelahan, Retired Common Ground Teacher, Email: brian.kelahan@nhep.com

Carly Osborne, Pootatuch Watershed Association and Go Fish Memorial Fund, Email: carly.osborne@nhep.com

Michelle Sepulveda, Dropout Prevention Officer at New Haven Board of Education, Email: michelle.sepulveda@nhep.com

Lauren Caplan, Founder, Mill River Advisory, Email: lauren.caplan@nhep.com

Jameson C. Davis, Founder/President, Writing Wrongs LLC, Email: jameson.davis@nhep.com

Kathi Torres, Administrative Officer, Federal Public Defender Office of Connecticut, Email: kathi.torres@nhep.com

Yexandra Diaz, Board Member, Email: yexandra.diaz@nhep.com

Shaquira Brockington, Parent Representative, Email: shaquira.brockington@nhep.com

Kymani Chapman, Student Representative

Clouds Mutale, Student Representative

Common Ground is Seeking New Board Members

Each year we recruit a class of 3-4 members to serve a 3 year term. Board members are expected to attend monthly public board meetings, contribute to meetings of one of our standing committees (Audit, Development, Finance, Governance, School), and support fundraising efforts (including by contributing to the organization at a level that is personally significant). Board members find that they spend an average of 10 hours a month on board-related tasks and can attend most meetings virtually. If you’re motivated and excited to help Common Ground serve our community and contribute to a just and sustainable world, please email Board Chair Alexis.Smith@nhep.com with a resume or bio to express your interest.

Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Schedule 2025-2026

All in person meetings will be located at 358 Springside Ave. New Haven, CT unless otherwise noted. In person meetings include September, November, March, April, May, and June.

  • August 25, 2025 (Virtual)
  • September 29, 2025 (In Person)
  • October 27, 2025 (Virtual)
  • November 24, 2025 (In Person)
  • January 26, 2026 (Virtual)
  • February 23, 2026 (Virtual)
  • March 30, 2026 (In Person)
  • April 27, 2026 (In Person)
  • May 18, 2026 (In Person)
  • June 29, 2026 (Annual Meeting/ In Person)
  • June 29, 2026 (Business Meeting/ In Person)
Board Committees
Board of Directors Meeting Agendas
See all Board of Directors Agendas Here
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
See all Board of Directors Minutes Here