DENVER — As the Denver Public Schools Board of Education continues its search for a superintendent, it has picked a firm focused on diversity, equity and inclusion to support the search.
On Friday morning, the Denver Board of Education announced a partnership with Alma Advisory Group, an external search firm led by a woman of color who is an expert in conducting national executive searches, the board said in a press release.
The search for a new superintendent began in mid-November when then-Superintendent Susana Cordova announced she was leaving the position for a job in Dallas.
Carrie Olson, board president, said the board of education wanted to bring in the Alma Advisory Group to help in its commitment to finding a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates.
“The board reviewed several search firms, looking for one that aligned with our values and priorities as a board and for selecting the next superintendent of DPS," Olson said.
Firm Founder and CEO Monica Santana Rosen will lead the search for DPS superintendent, along with her team. She has a MBA from Harvard Business School and has spent the last two decades working to build strong, diverse workplaces and is best known for her work helping large school systems with recruitment, according to the firm's website.
The team will use a "competency-based screening process to mitigate bias and ensure a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion," the board of education said.
As the board continues the search in partnership with Alma Advisory Group, it said it will ensure the community has "transparency, access and influence" through the process.
The board of education said its goal is to select a new superintendent by June 2021.