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
- School (Commitee Minutes)
- Finance (Committee Minutes)
- Development (Commitee Minutes)
- Governance (Commitee Minutes)
Board of Directors Meeting Agendas
Common Ground Board of Directors Emergency Special Meeting Agenda for October 20, 2025
October 20, 2025 - 5 pm EMERGENCY SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA By Google Meets Join the meeting Welcome Business Requiring Approval CBA Common Ground and Local 2110 Exp Adjourn Next Meeting: Monday, October 27th on Microsoft
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for September 29, 2025
This meeting will be held in person. September 29th 5:30pm In person at Common Ground – Hilltop 109 Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for August 25, 2025
August 25, 2025 BOARD MEETING AGENDA By Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 252 941 979 033 6 Passcode: qs6vK6eg Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Common Ground Board of Directors Emergency Special Meeting Agenda for October 20, 2025
October 20, 2025 - 5 pm EMERGENCY SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA By Google Meets Join the meeting Welcome Business Requiring Approval CBA Common Ground and Local 2110 Exp Adjourn Next Meeting: Monday, October 27th on Microsoft
Common Ground Board of Directors Executive Committee Meeting Minutes: Meeting October 6, 2025
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes October 6, 2025 Present: Jeff Carter, Ky Andersson, and Alexis Smith Alexis Smith called the meeting to order at 4:52pm. Ky Andersson moved to approve the resolution authorizing Elena Augusewicz to
Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: Meeting September 29, 2025
September 29th, 5:30pm In person at Common Ground – Hilltop Room 109 Present: Alexis Smith, Brian Kelahan, Carly Osborne, Clouds Mutale, Jeff Carter, Ky Andersson, Lauren Caplan, Liz Cox, Sarah Field. Staff: Amanda Byam, Deborah