About
The founding team of Cinergi Fund is a passionate group of educators and healthcare professionals who understand firsthand what it means to give kids a fair shot. We’ve come together because we know the impact that high-quality learning experiences can have, especially in schools that are doing their best with limited resources. Our goal is simple: to ensure every child has access to the opportunities they need to thrive, regardless of where they go to school or their community's challenges.
As a brand-new, volunteer-run nonprofit, we're rolling up our sleeves and getting to work because we believe in every student's potential. We know that kids can soar to new heights when schools are equipped with the right tools and support. We’re here to help bridge that gap, making sure schools get the funding they need to open doors and create opportunities that will change lives. That’s what we’re all about.
LaShawnna Harris, EdD
Board Chairperson
As founder and board chair, Dr. Harris brings over two decades of experience as a teacher, school administrator, and leadership coach. Dr. Harris is committed to challenging the status quo by supporting innovation in school improvement so that all children can access high-quality educational experiences. She is the CEO of two education-focused organizations, Creative Station, an improvement strategy and leadership consulting firm, and sharEDtalent, a tech platform connecting schools with expert vendors. Under her leadership, Cinergi Fund will begin to fill resource gaps for school communities that need it most.
Constance Barnes, EdD
Board Secretary
Dr. Constance Barnes (“Dr. CiCi”), a native New Yorker, brings over 15 years of non-profit and educational leadership to her work. Her career spans the private, public, and charter education sectors, and most recently, higher education as the Director of the CUNY ASAP National Replication Collaborative. In 2018, she founded UnmaskEDU, a consulting firm, providing strategic planning services to educational and non-profit organizations in the Northeast. Dr. Barnes is a 4pt0 Schools Essentials alum, a Leaders of Color Fellowship alum, Communitas America Social Impact Entrepreneur, and CORO Leadership NY Fellow. She serves on Bronx Community Board 8, the Lehman College Alumni Advisory Board, the Mt. Vernon Arts Council, and the Westchester Black Woman’s Political Caucus. Dr. Barnes holds a B.A. in Economics from Lehman College, an M.S. in Education from Mercy College, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Administration from the College of St. Rose, and a Doctor of Education, with a major in Urban Education, from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education. Dr. Barnes is a lover of hip-hop, plants and a strong voice for Black Women in Tech.
Yaa Ericson
Board Treasurer
As the Board Treasurer for Cinergi Fund, Yaa Ericson brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to the role. With both a nursing and information technology degree and over a decade of experience in Healthcare IT, she combines a deep understanding of healthcare systems with a strong financial acumen. Her background ensures both effective oversight of the organization's finances and strategic guidance in aligning financial practices with its educational mission to help our schools and young people achieve learning experiences that are not currently available to them without appropriate funding.
Ana Mendieta, EdD
Board Member
Dr. Ana B. Mendieta is an accomplished leader in higher education and social innovation, bringing over 12 years of experience to her current role as Project Director at Bronx Community College. With a focus on developing programs that bridge education, innovation, and community resilience, Dr. Mendieta has been instrumental in driving initiatives that empower students to succeed on their own terms.
A native of Cuenca, Ecuador, Dr. Mendieta moved to Danbury, Connecticut, at the age of ten. Her academic journey includes a bachelor's degree in political science from Western Connecticut State University and a master's degree in higher education administration from Columbia University. She further pursued her passion for educational equity by earning a doctorate in education, where her research centered on the underrepresentation of Latinas in STEM fields.
In her current role at Bronx Community College, Dr. Mendieta directs the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and student-led ventures. She also serves as the founder of Achieve Beyond Measure, a consulting firm supporting immigrant families in navigating educational opportunities.