An Important Announcement from DPS Foundation

Pictured (L to R): DPSF Board Co-Chairs Satana Deberry & Zack Hawkins, Executive Director Magan Gonzales-Smith, Deputy Executive Director Erika Reese Wilkins, DPS Board of Education Chair Bettina Umstead, DPS Superintendent Pascal Mubenga

After five years of galvanizing community support for public schools and building DPS Foundation (DPSF) from idea to a vital reality, founding Executive Director Magan Gonzales-Smith has shared that she will be stepping aside on July 31, 2023. Magan’s decision comes after an impactful, accomplished, and joyful five years at the helm. 

As one of DPSF’s founders and first executive director, Magan never expected to be the only executive director. In spring of 2022, with succession planning in mind, DPSF created a deputy executive director role and hired Erika Reese Wilkins, a Durham native, DPS alum, former teacher, and state-wide education leader.  

Over the past year Erika has co-led DPSF alongside Magan: meeting with donors, business leaders and DPS leadership, managing key initiatives, and building on her strong relationships in Durham. The DPSF Board of Directors has interviewed her and is incredibly happy and confident in her ability to lead the next chapter in DPSF’s impact as its new executive director, effective August 1, 2023.

Satana Deberry, co-chair of the DPSF Board of Directors said, “Magan has done the founder's work of building and starting. And now, we’re fully launched. We have an excellent team and incredible impact. So it makes sense for a new chapter to begin now, and we’re incredibly excited for Erika to lead it.” Zack Hawkins, Board co-chair and DPSF co-founder added, “We’re grateful to have continuity for this still-young organization with a mission so essential to our community’s shared future.” 

A Strong Start

For the first five years, Magan led DPSF in championing our public schools, advocating for equity in education, and investing in the immediate needs and bold dreams of students, educators, and families. She also built an outstanding and highly collaborative DPSF team. 

“My confidence in the team at DPSF and in Erika, made this an easy decision for me. And it’s one I’ve made with the full support of our leadership team and the board.” Magan said. “Durham is our home. I’m excited for us to be DPS parents, cheerleaders, and supporters of this work for decades to come. I’m joining the ranks of our supporters as public school champions for life. And I’ll be taking time to explore several directions for professional next steps,” she added.

Dr. Pascal Mubenga, DPS superintendent, played a key role in DPSF’s founding. He said, “I am proud to have helped launch the Durham Public Schools Foundation in 2018 and of the ways the organization has grown in just five years to be a robust and critical partner to our school communities under Magan’s leadership. As the organization moves out of the building phase, this is an exciting time for new leadership to take the organization to its next chapter. Erika has already demonstrated such strong leadership in Durham and at DPS Foundation and I am excited about the valuable perspectives and experiences she will bring as a Durham native, DPS graduate, former classroom teacher and an education policy expert to her leadership of DPS Foundation.” 

The Next Chapter

Erika credits DPS as starting her on a path to become  an educator and an advocate for underserved students. “From graduating from Jordan High School, to my time in the classroom, to supporting school districts across the country, this is a full circle moment for me,” she said. 

Erika added that her personal and professional experiences have forged in her a commitment to equity and inclusion, collaborative decision making, transparent communication and accountability to support DPSF in meeting our community’s goals. 

Erika envisions a strong Durham and inclusive educational ecosystem that empowers the entire Durham community to take an active role in supporting and shaping the future of our public schools. She said, “I’m thrilled to build on our strong foundation and continue the work with our full community to ensure each DPS student, family and educator has what they need to thrive in life and work.”