About Us

Bio coming soon!

Michael Burks knows what it takes to transform a school – because he’s done it.
As Director of School Partnerships at Chamberlin Education Foundation (CEF), Michael leads the organization’s strategy to accelerate academic outcomes across West Contra Costa through equity-centered partnership. He works shoulder-to-shoulder with district leaders, principals, and teachers to ensure every educator has the skills, knowledge, and resources to deliver world-class math and early literacy instruction – so every child can learn, grow, and thrive.

Michael brings 15 years of classroom and school leadership experience across Brooklyn, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland. Most recently, he served as Principal of KIPP Bridge Academy in Oakland, where his team achieved double-digit gains in both reading and math. He joined CEF in 2025.

His work is personal. As a Black, first-generation college graduate, Michael understands firsthand what’s at stake when schools fall short – and what becomes possible when they don’t. He believes every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued in a school that equips them to live a choice-filled life. That belief doesn’t just inform his work. It drives it.

Michael holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor’s from Harvard University, where he graduated with honors and wrote his thesis on the sociopolitical dimensions of Loving v. Virginia – the 1967 landmark civil rights Supreme Court case. When he’s not fighting for kids, you’ll find him on the basketball court, lost in a novel, or enjoying a lazy Sunday with his wife, two daughters, and dog.

Priscilla Cardoso is the Director of Grant Operations at Chamberlin Education Foundation (CEF), where she leads grantmaking operations and cross-functional initiatives to advance educational excellence for West Contra Costa public school students. She oversees the implementation of CEF’s signature programs, including Gratitude Grants and the Community Giving Initiative, ensuring that processes run smoothly, funds are distributed with integrity, and educators receive responsive and relational support.

Priscilla brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit management and public education systems. Prior to joining CEF, she served as Director of Operations at Families in Action for Quality Education, where she built operational infrastructure across finance, HR, compliance, and data systems, coordinated the operations of large-scale civic engagement and voter registration campaigns, and coached teammates in project management practices to strengthen execution and accountability. She previously spent six years at Aspire Public Schools, supporting eleven Bay Area campuses through compliance, enrollment systems, and operations leadership. While at Aspire, she co-founded and led the Operations Community of Practice, providing professional development and a shared problem-solving space for school operations staff across the region.

Priscilla holds a Master of Public Administration from San Francisco State University and a B.A. from the University of San Francisco, where she double majored in Political Science and International Studies with a minor in Latin American Studies. Outside of work, Priscilla enjoys traveling, gardening, sewing, and hosting lively game nights with family and friends.

Christine Castillo directs the foundation’s accounting, finance, operations, and property management. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Real Estate and is a California Notary.

Dr. Caroline Damon is the Executive Director at Chamberlin Education Foundation (CEF), where she oversees the foundation’s vision and grantmaking strategy to advance educational equity and academic excellence for West Contra Costa public school students. In her role at CEF, Caroline collaborates closely with educators, systems leaders, and community advocates to strengthen early literacy and math instruction system-wide and improve academic outcomes in West Contra Costa public schools.

Caroline joined CEF in 2015 and brings nearly two decades of experience in education policy and practice as a former classroom teacher, instructional coach, nonprofit leader, and funder. Her perspective is deeply rooted in her experience as a high school English Language Arts teacher in the Bronx, where she worked alongside extraordinarily creative and resilient students, families, and teachers to achieve record academic gains. Later, she served as Director of External Engagement at Citizen Schools, a national education nonprofit that provides experiential learning opportunities to close opportunity gaps. Caroline has also served as a faculty member at Mount Tamalpais College, teaching college-level writing courses to incarcerated students at San Quentin State Prison.

Caroline holds a doctorate from New York University, where she studied how local philanthropic organizations can partner with school districts and community leaders to drive long-term structural change that enables students to achieve excellent academic outcomes. She holds a Masters degree from Stanford University and a BA from Connecticut College, as well as a secondary teaching credential in English. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys yoga, musical theater, and spending time with her family, including her cat Mariah (Carey) and dog Nina (Simone).

Eréndira Flores serves as Vice President of Programs at the Chamberlin Education Foundation (CEF), where she leads the design and implementation of grantmaking strategies that strengthen instructional leadership and advance academic excellence for students in West Contra Costa. In this role, she ensures the foundation’s investments are guided by strong relationships with community partners, schools, and educators. Grounded in listening and learning, she spearheads initiatives that build leadership capacity and drive meaningful, equitable outcomes for students across the region.

Born in Mexico, Eréndira’s experience as an immigrant shapes her unwavering commitment to advancing educational equity and serving communities that have been systemically under-resourced and underserved.  Over the course of her career, she has served as a teacher, school administrator, founding principal, systems leader, and executive coach. She was the founding principal of an elementary school in South Central Los Angeles, grounded in belonging, rigor, and excellence, and has since worked as an executive coach and consultant, partnering with districts, charter networks, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen leadership, clarify purpose, and design high-quality, inclusive educational experiences for children and adults alike.

Eréndira earned her cleared Administrative Credential from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master’s in Education in School Leadership and Administration from Loyola Marymount University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Colby College.

Outside of work, Eréndira enjoys crocheting, spending time in nature, and soaking up family moments, whether it’s cheering on her children from the sidelines of a soccer field, poolside, or bringing her spirited energy to game nights at home.

Bio coming soon!

Daniel Newman Sr. manages the foundation’s learning facilities. He and his team ensure that classrooms, grounds, and campus amenities remain in top condition for students and school staff.

Cassie Perham serves as Senior Program Officer at the Chamberlin Education Foundation (CEF), where she leads grantmaking and partnerships that strengthen the educator workforce and foster a thriving public education ecosystem in West Contra Costa. In this role, Cassie works closely with nonprofit leaders, educators, and community advocates to expand educator talent pipelines and support the systemic conditions that enable students and schools to succeed. Her work is grounded in authentic partnership, listening to community priorities, and a commitment to educational equity for all students.

Cassie joined CEF in 2025 and brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and place-based philanthropy. Prior to joining CEF, Cassie co-founded and served as Co-Executive Director of the Oakland Literacy Coalition, where she spent eight years building a cross-sector effort dedicated to improving literacy outcomes for Oakland students through collaboration, professional learning, and advocacy. Earlier in her career, she worked at the Rogers Family Foundation, leading grantmaking efforts focused on improving third grade reading outcomes. Across these roles, Cassie has focused on connecting strategy, community collaboration, and evidence-based practices to drive meaningful, equitable outcomes for students.

Cassie holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of California, Davis and a Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management from San Francisco State University. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, baking with her two daughters, swimming in lakes and rivers, and gardening.

Bio coming soon!