Dr. Lisa DiGaudio is a founding school leader and systems-focused instructional expert with more than two decades of experience developing and scaling charter schools serving at-risk and over-age, under-credited students. As a Founding Administrator of New Dawn Charter Schools, she has led the design and expansion of two high schools in Brooklyn and Queens, while currently serving as the Chief Academic Officer, overseeing cross-campus curriculum mapping, assessment systems, staff training, and data coordination.

Dr. DiGaudio’s work is grounded in building coherent instructional systems that integrate academic rigor with social-emotional supports. She has codified curriculum and professional development structures across campuses, ensuring consistency and scalability, while aligning policies with state requirements. Her leadership extends instructional and operational systems that support both compliance and a strong school culture.

In addition to her school-based leadership, Dr. DiGaudio has also consulted with numerous school organizations across the country in successful charter applications, school start-ups, and served as a contributing author for several grants at the state and federal levels. Her expertise spans governance, strategic planning, curriculum design, and leadership development. In addition to her consulting work, Dr. DiGaudio is active in charity, acting as a founding member of The AL2LA Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing assistance and coordination for veterans and first responders in mental distress.

Dr. DiGaudio holds a Ph.D. in Leadership, Policy, and Change in Education and has contributed to the field through publications, presentations, and policy work focused on strengthening pathways to student success, curriculum design, and outcomes for students working toward graduation after experiencing interruptions in their educational journey.