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Dr. Charles is an experienced Educator, Research Data Scientist, and Entrepreneur with a diverse background in Telecommunications, Defense, Technology, and K-12 public education Administration. He has a passion for integrating technology into teaching and learning, and has led significant algorithmic and Machine Learning efforts in the Defense Industry. 

His experiences also include serving as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado and the University of Denver, as well as contributing to national and worldwide research publications in Mathematics, STEM Education, Image Processing, and Artificial Intelligence. 

Dr. Charles has successfully led teams in designing research experiments and solutions for NASA astronauts, including work on the International Space Station (ISS) and experiments in microgravity aircrafts. He also served on the Board of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. 

Dr. Charles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pure Mathematics from the City University of New York, and a Master’s and PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a licensed Teacher and Administrator in Colorado, currently serving as the Chief Information Officer for Denver Public Schools. He also held the position of Director of Policy Governance for the same school district and is a certified Governance Systems Professional (GSP) and Executive Coach. Dr. Charles is dedicated to leveraging Information Technology and Instructional Technology to make a positive impact on students and communities. His current research focuses on using Artificial Intelligence to advance and transform the field of Education in an equitable manner.

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Cabinet Member

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Cabinet Member

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Cabinet Member

Trena Marsal was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Operations on Feb. 1, 2023. Her career has spanned more than 23 years with Denver Public Schools, including serving as Executive Director of Facility Management for the last 15 years. In her new role, she will lead our Operations teams, including Facilities, Enterprise Management and Warehouse, Technology Services, Planning, Design and Construction, Climate and Safety, and Transportation.

After a successful career at a Denver-based environmental agency and performing her own subcontractor environmental work, she joined DPS as an Environmental Specialist. Trena then rose through the ranks, earning the positions of Chief of Maintenance Engineering, Deputy Director of Maintenance, Director of Operations and Maintenance and Executive Director of Facility Management. In these roles, she has managed more than 16 million square feet of facilities, more than 900 employees and a portfolio valued at over $8 billion dollars.

Marsal has a focus on continuous improvement and equity-based programs. She helped develop the DPS Sustainability Program, implemented smart building technology, planned and managed bond programs and was also instrumental in the development, design and vision for the Learning Landscape Program and in establishing the DPS “Guiding Principles” for School Building Design.

Marsal served on the district’s African American Equity Task Force, participated as part of a Strategic Team with the Council of Great City Schools and was part of the Superintendent’s Transition Team. Outside of DPS, she was part of the Mayor’s Developers Advisory Council and currently serves on the Denver Parks and Recreation Board. In addition, Marsal serves her community as a distinguished member of the community-service-focused nonprofit, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Marsal received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Safety and Health, a Master of Management, and a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources.

DLT Member

Cesar Cedillo was born in Cuernavaca, Morelos Mexico and came to the United States as a 2nd grade monolingual 8 year old. He is a proud product of the Denver Public Schools where he attended DPS schools throughout his younger years culminating in graduating from West High School. After high school, he attended Metropolitan State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in History with a teaching certificate. He immediately began his career as a classroom teacher, teaching ELA-S social studies at Kunsmiller Middle School. He earned his Master's degree from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2002. After teaching, he became an assistant principal at both Morey and Bruce Randolph. While at Bruce Randolph, he was promoted as the principal and enjoyed a great and exciting 9 year run, changing the paradigm for students in the Swansea/Elyria neighborhood. In 2018 he became an Operational Superintendent working with leaders in Pathway, SE, and SW networks/regions. In 2021 he was promoted to the Associate Chief of Schools. He leads with humility and prioritizes authentic, caring, positive relationships with all stakeholders.  As a DPS grad, he understands DPS students deserve the best educational experience that will catapult them to become productive members of our society. He is happily married- 17 years and counting. He loves and cherishes watching his two kids, Roman and Anaya, grow up to become great young people. He is an avid Broncos, CU Buffs, Nuggets, and Dodgers fan!!

Cabinet Member

A Denver native, Deborah graduated from our own Thomas Jefferson High School. She served as the principal of Contemporary Learning Academy from 2011-2013, was an instructional superintendent for the Pathways Network and most recently led our Student Equity and Opportunity team. Deborah’s depth of knowledge about DPS as a whole, and about what it takes to work toward Equity for all of our students, is an incredible asset to our leadership team. We look forward to her support in continuing to make a difference for all of our students.

Cabinet Member

Edwin has a long history of serving public organizations. He came to DPS after working as the Deputy Commissioner of Enterprise Human Capital Management for the State of Minnesota. Previously, he led Human Resources with the Kansas City Public School District, among other organizations. Edwin started with the district in November 2021 and has shared he’s excited to be making a difference each day with our amazing teams. 

Edwin leads our Human Resources team and drives their strategies around employment and labor relations, performance management, recruitment and selection, compensation, and benefits, training and development, and efforts to attract and retain great educators across DPS. 

Among his notable achievements, while with the State of Minnesota, Edwin increased the hiring of people of color by 5 percentage points, with 19% of overall new hires being people of color in 2019. He was also able to increase the hiring of individuals with disabilities by about 3 percentage points. As we strive toward becoming a true Equity district, we know this expertise Edwin brings will help continue to push this important work forward and support our efforts already in place to bring on more educators who look like the students they serve.

Cabinet Member

Dr. Smith comes back to Denver Public Schools most recently serving as the Superintendent of KIPP Texas Dallas Ft. Worth over the past two plus years. Previously Dr. Smith served as an Instructional Superintendent of the Far Northeast region of Denver Public Schools. Prior to his role in Denver Public Schools, he served as the Executive Director of School Turnaround and Instruction for the Adams 14 Schools District, and Turnaround Principal in the Denver Public Schools. He has more than 20 years of experience in public education and began his career as Title 1 teacher for small schools and institutions with the Colorado Department of Youth Corrections.  He has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director, instructional superintendent, and Superintendent across both elementary and secondary schools during his career. 

Dr. Smith received his bachelor’s degree from Adams State University, a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix, and a doctorate from the University of Denver.  He and his wife Marcy, enjoy outdoor activities with their two sons Tyson, and Evan.

DLT Member

Richard Tagle is the President and CEO of the Denver Public Schools Foundation having joined the team in March 2022. In this role, Richard works collaboratively with the Board of Directors to execute a highly strategic vision and facilitate relationships with key stakeholders. Richard serves as a lead fundraiser to direct and execute a comprehensive and multi-faceted fundraising and community engagement operation to support both long-term vision and annual goals of the DPS Foundation.

Prior to DPS Foundation, Richard was the President and CEO of the Andy Roddick Foundation in Austin, Texas. Previous positions held include Managing Partner at High Think, Chief Executive Officer at Higher Achievement, Chief of Staff at Public Education Network (a network of local education funds and public school foundations), and Senior Program Officer at the United States Conference of Mayors.

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Richard earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from American University and his Master of Arts in Applied Sociology/Social Policy from the same institution.

We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because public education is one of the formative pillars of a civil and democratic society. Everything our community has become, and will ever be, stems from how our public education functions.

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In 2022 Solicia E. Lopez launched RedSol Consulting to provide consulting services for various organizations and institutions. Her services encompass a wide range, including community engagement, fostering youth/adult partnerships, strategic planning, crafting curriculum design, birthwork as a doula, and event planning. Her primary focus has been on uplifting young people. She aims not only to bolster their resilience in challenging situations but also to instill in them the skills and confidence to advocate for their own needs and those of their community. Through her programs, individuals not only learn to navigate and adapt to their circumstances but also develop critical thinking abilities to understand the underlying contexts shaping those circumstances. Ultimately, she equips the community with the tools to identify necessary changes and advocate for them effectively.

She is the Founder and former director of the Student Voice and Leadership programs in Denver Public Schools. Solicia is recognized as a leader and activist in her community. In 2023 she was appointed as a Denver Latino Commissioner and served on the National Parents Union Family Advisory Council. She received the Denver Public Library Lena Archuleta Community Service Award, and was selected as a Lideramos Fellow by the National Latino Leadership Alliance. Additionally, she has a history of engagement in research-practice partnerships and published the following article with CU Boulder Crown Faculty Fellow Ben Kirshner: A Theory of Change for Scaling Critical Civic Inquiry in the Peabody Journal of Education. Solicia was accepted to participate in the 2022 Colorado Women's History fellowship, where she self published a hybrid book & podcast.

Solicia was born and raised in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood. She is a 3rd generation Colorado native, and comes from two large families. She is a daughter, sister, cousin, auntie, femtor, and most importantly a mother and grandmother. She is an alumni of Denver Public Schools, Metro State University and Regis University. All of these things have played a major role in shaping who she is today.

DLT Member

Dr. Antoinette Hudson is a Denver Public Schools graduate, teacher, school and district leader with twenty-one years of service as an educator in both the Denver Public School District and in the Cherry Creek School District. Dr. Hudson is an alumna of the University of Denver and a proud member of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA).

As an Ombuds, Dr. Hudson is committed to supporting and serving DPS team members. DPS team members have an opportunity to discuss their experiences in a confidential, safe, and neutral space where we will work together to clarify issues, determine options, discuss resolutions to problems and challenges experienced. Dr. Hudson has extensive leadership experience within the district; as an Instructional Superintendent, Principal, Learn to Lead Principal Resident, Assistant Principal, Program Manager overseeing ELA Summer programming, Teacher, and Student Sweeper.

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