Common Ground Board of Directors 2023-05-01T15:28:17-04:00
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.

Robert Parker, Co-chair. Retired School Principal & Communications Executive, Email 

Alexis Smith, Co-Chair. Executive Director of New Haven Legal Aid, Email

Beth Klingher, Treasurer. Artist & Educator, Email

Terri Snell, Secretary, Email

Kyeen Andersson, Public Health Policy Analyst, Email

Errol C. Saunders II, Doctoral Student, Teachers College, Columbia University; Hopkins School, Email

Charles J. Negaro, Founder and Chairman of Chabaso Bakery, Email

Monica Maccera Filppu, Common Ground’s Executive Director, Email

Peter Ludwig, Tropical Resources Institute at Yale University, Email

Gioia Connell, Roche Dinkaloo and Associates, Email

Carly Osborne, Pootatuch Watershed Association and Go Fish Memorial Fund, Email

Jennifer Burke, Common Ground High School Reading Teacher, Email 

Jeff Carter, Owner: The Westmount Group, Email

Abigail Roth, Director of Communication, Medical Education, Yale School of Medicine, Email 

Michelle Sepulveda, Dropout Prevention Officer at New Haven Board Of Education, Email

Patience Christopher, 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 Bob.Parker@nhep.com with a resume or bio to express your interest.

Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Schedule 2022-2023
  • August 29th 
  • September 19th (3rd Monday because of Rosh Hashanah) 
  • October 24th  
  • November 28th 
  • December 19th (3rd Monday because of the winter holidays)
  • January 30th (5th Monday to allow time for mid year financial projections)
  • February 27th 
  • March 27th 
  • April 24th 
  • May 22nd 
  • June 26th 
  • Annual meeting June 27th 
Board of Directors Meeting Agendas
See all Board of Directors Agendas Here
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
See all Board of Directors Minutes Here