Our Team
Michael A. Rebell is executive director of the Center for Educational Equity (formerly Campaign for Educational Equity) and professor of law and educational practice at Teachers College. Previously, Mr. Rebell co-founded and served as Executive Director of The Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE), which won a major constitutional ruling on behalf of New York City public schools.
Michael A. Rebell is executive director of the Center for Educational Equity (formerly Campaign for Educational Equity) and professor of law and educational practice at Teachers College. Previously, Mr. Rebell co-founded and served as Executive Director of The Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE), which won a major constitutional ruling on behalf of New York City public schools. Mr. Rebell is one of the nation's foremost authorities on the education-adequacy movement in the United States and has pioneered the legal theory and strategy of educational adequacy. In the last 30 years, this legal strategy has proven successful in almost 60% of the cases challenging a state's failure to provide students with a sound basic education. Mr. Rebell has also litigated numerous class-action lawsuits, especially on behalf of students with disabilities, including the landmark New York State case, Jose P. v. Mills. He has written six books, including Courts and Kids: Pursuing Educational Equity Through the State Courts (2009) and Flunking Democracy: Schools, Courts and Civic Participation (2018), and several dozen articles on a wide range of education issues, including educational equity, education finance, civic preparation, testing, and the rights of disabled students. Mr. Rebell is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School.
Jessica R. Wolff is the policy and research director of the Center for Educational Equity. She leads its research initiatives and oversees its public engagement work. She is author or coauthor of two books and numerous articles and reports on educational rights and education policy. From 2000-2005, she served as director of policy development of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE), where her work with the Sound Basic Education Task Force helped guide school-funding legislation in New York State. Wolff was a longtime board member of the Children’s Museum of the Arts and is the parent of two NYC public school graduates. She has a B.A. from Brown University and an M.A. from New York University.
Jessica R. Wolff is the policy and research director of the Center for Educational Equity. She leads its research initiatives and oversees its public engagement work. She is author or coauthor of two books and numerous articles and reports on educational rights and education policy. From 2000-2005, she served as director of policy development of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE), where her work with the Sound Basic Education Task Force helped guide school-funding legislation in New York State. Wolff was a longtime board member of the Children’s Museum of the Arts and is the parent of two NYC public school graduates. She has a B.A. from Brown University and an M.A. from New York University.
Nan Eileen Mead is an education advocate, policymaker, and researcher. She is currently the Director of Outreach and Communications at the Center for Educational Equity at Teachers College, Columbia University. From 2016 to 2022, Ms. Mead represented the 1st Judicial District, which includes Manhattan, on the New York State Board of Regents. During her tenure, she co-chaired the Regents Subcommittee on State Aid, where she was deeply involved in developing the annual education budget proposal. Ms. Mead elevated parent and student voices, particularly during the pandemic, and contributed to the development of the Regents’ framework and policy statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ms. Mead is also a Co-Editor of and contributor to the Journal of Engaged Research. Before her election to the Regents, Nan was a financial sector professional and parent leader serving on several local policy and advocacy boards, including Community Education Council 3 and the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council of New York City. She holds degrees in politics, public policy, and education.
Nan Eileen Mead is an education advocate, policymaker, and researcher. She is currently the Director of Outreach and Communications at the Center for Educational Equity at Teachers College, Columbia University. From 2016 to 2022, Ms. Mead represented the 1st Judicial District, which includes Manhattan, on the New York State Board of Regents. During her tenure, she co-chaired the Regents Subcommittee on State Aid, where she was deeply involved in developing the annual education budget proposal. Ms. Mead elevated parent and student voices, particularly during the pandemic, and contributed to the development of the Regents’ framework and policy statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ms. Mead is also a Co-Editor of and contributor to the Journal of Engaged Research. Before her election to the Regents, Nan was a financial sector professional and parent leader serving on several local policy and advocacy boards, including Community Education Council 3 and the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council of New York City. She holds degrees in politics, public policy, and education.
Laila Soubani is a Program Coordinator at the Center for Educational Equity. She worked closely with the Center as she completed her Master’s degree in Sociology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Before pursuing her Master’s degree, Laila taught high school English Language Arts in Detroit, Michigan. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from Michigan State University’s College of Education.
Laila Soubani is a Program Coordinator at the Center for Educational Equity. She worked closely with the Center as she completed her Master’s degree in Sociology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Before pursuing her Master’s degree, Laila taught high school English Language Arts in Detroit, Michigan. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from Michigan State University’s College of Education.
Katie Loos (she/her) is a Research Assistant at the Center for Educational Equity and an Education Policy Master's student at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to this, she wrote for the K-12 education beat at U.S. News & World Report and worked as a Fellow at the Global Campaign for Education - US, where she conducted research for the RESULTS Right to Education Index, a global accountability initiative evaluating the U.S. public school system. Katie is especially interested in the arts, community organizing and student voice. In 2020, she co-founded the Washington, D.C. based nonprofit, Girlz by Design, where she teaches design thinking and digital arts workshops to high schoolers. Katie received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services & Social Justice from The George Washington University.
Katie Loos (she/her) is a Research Assistant at the Center for Educational Equity and an Education Policy Master's student at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to this, she wrote for the K-12 education beat at U.S. News & World Report and worked as a Fellow at the Global Campaign for Education - US, where she conducted research for the RESULTS Right to Education Index, a global accountability initiative evaluating the U.S. public school system. Katie is especially interested in the arts, community organizing and student voice. In 2020, she co-founded the Washington, D.C. based nonprofit, Girlz by Design, where she teaches design thinking and digital arts workshops to high schoolers. Katie received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services & Social Justice from The George Washington University.