In July 2025, following Will Stoetzer’s announcement of his planned departure from Ingenuity Prep, the organization launched the search for its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who will begin serving during the 2026-2027 school year. This transition marks an important moment in Ingenuity Prep’s continued growth and commitment to excellence for our students, families, and staff.

Throughout SY 2025-26, we will engage our community to help shape the search process and identify the leader who will guide Ingenuity Prep into its next chapter. The search is just beginning, and we look forward to working together in the months ahead to find the right person to carry forward Ingenuity Prep’s mission and values.

Ingenuity Prep is committed to ensuring every student receives a quality education every day – including while we onboard our next CEO.

CEO Search Process Updates

Oct 7, 2025 - Message from the Board CEO Search Committee: Introducing Our CEO Search Firm

Dear Ingenuity Prep Community –

We hope this message finds you well and that the new school year is off to a strong and inspiring start. As we progress through this important year for Ingenuity Prep, we are excited to share an update about the leadership transition process.

CEO Search Firm Selection:

After a thoughtful and thorough review, we are excited to share that the Ingenuity PrepBoard has partnered with On-Ramps

On-Ramps

to lead our search for our next Chief Executive Officer. Following our CEO and Co-Founder Will Stoetzer’s announcement this past July that he will depart Ingenuity Prep at the end of the school year, we posted a request for proposals, reviewed approximately 10 proposals from search firms, interviewed four finalists, and ultimately selected On-Ramps for their deep experience working with mission-driven organizations in the social sector and their strong focus on advancing equity and inclusion in leadership.

Our On-Ramps team – Nakia James-Jenkins, Shanna Masdea, and Andrew Sun-Acosta
– brings experience in education and charter networks and will partner with the Board CEO Search Committee to guide the process.

We want to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to Will for his continued dedicated service to Ingenuity Prep and for partnering with the Board CEO Search Committee to help guide this process and ensure a smooth transition.

Next Steps and Your Input:

An exciting part of their work will include a listening tour with staff and community members that will occur over the next month. This will be a chance for your voices and perspectives to directly shape the search – especially in naming the qualities and priorities we should look for in Ingenuity Prep’s next CEO. In addition to the focus groups, all staff and community members will have the opportunity to share input through a survey.
We’ll continue to keep you updated along the way and are grateful for your partnership as we take this next step inIngenuity Prep’s journey.

Board CEO Search Committee:

We are grateful to our Board CEO Search Committee that will partner closely with On-Ramps through this process. Members of the Board CEO Search Committee include:
Derrick Mashore, Board Chair
De-Lea Deane-Allen, Board Member and Search Committee Chair
Derrick Colbert, Board Member
Fred Walls, Board Member
Michael Bern, Board Member and Governance Committee Chair

With gratitude,
De-Lea Deane-Allen, Search Committee Chair
Derrick Mashore, Board Chair

Search Process Timeline

Who is Responsible for finding our next CEO?

The Ingenuity Prep Board of Trustees holds responsibility for selecting our next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). To focus the Board’s efforts on this critical transition while continuing to oversee ongoing academic performance and operational priorities, the Board has formed a CEO Search Committee to lead this process with the support of an external search firm.

After evaluating almost a dozen executive search firms, in September 2025 the Board CEO Search Committee has selected OnRamps to partner with Ingenuity Prep in identifying our next CEO. OnRamps brings deep experience in executive searches for mission-driven education organizations and a proven track record of identifying and placing strong leaders.

Throughout SY2025-26, the CEO Search Committee – working closely with the Board, OnRamps, and members of the Ingenuity Prep community – will engage staff, families, and students in shaping the search and selection process. The Board will appoint the next CEO following a thorough and inclusive process designed to ensure a leader who reflects and advances Ingenuity Prep’s mission, values, and long-term vision.

Meet the CEO Search Committee

De-Lea Deane Allen

CEO Search Committee Chair, Academics and Mission Committee Chair

Derrick Mashore

Board of Trustees Chair

Michael Bern

Governance Committee Chair

Fred Walls

Board of Trustees Member

Derrick Colbert

Board of Trustees Member

Check back as the page will be updated throughout the process and new updates shared.