The MAPSA Team

We commit passionately to both our mission and metrics. 

MAPSA Team posing in front of the MI State Capitol
MAPSA Team members posing with plants and flowers
MAPSA Team posing at Symposium
MAPSA Team posing on a pedal saloon in front of the MI State Capitol

About our hard work

MAPSA, Michigan’s Charter School Association, represents a statewide movement of charter school stakeholders. For over 25 years, we have harnessed the power of our charter community through direct and digital grassroots engagement, identifying their shared challenges, and developing resources that support their work. The work is sometimes hard and draining, requiring a dedicated and highly efficient team.

Our Commitment
A Bright Future
for Every Child.

To achieve a “Bright Future for Every Child,” we must rethink the way education works today, embracing new approaches that meet the needs of every learner.

MAPSA envisions a strong, united coalition of parents, educators, and citizen advocates representing families from every corner of Michigan, bound by a shared goal: the success of every child. We work to support every community in every corner of the state as we advocate for policies that will best shape every student’s success. No exceptions and no excuses.

We are champions for quality who reflect the common interests of those who entrust us to represent them. We are relentless in advancing the principles behind chartering, empowering parents with choices, and offering new types of public schools that get results. MAPSA commits to:

  • Be a bold, bipartisan voice for all of Michigan’s students.
  • Be a listening ear for our diverse members, creating a true sense of belonging where all voices are heard and valued.
  • Embrace diverse approaches to education, honoring the unique contributions of every community across the state.
  • Continue to reflect, learn, and grow as a team, fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, welcomed, and empowered.

Together, we are shaping the future of education in Michigan, one student, one school, and one voice at a time.

 

The MAPSA team

16
Alicia Urbain
Governmental & Legal Affairs, Attorney

Legislative policy guru, MAPSA's eyes and ears at the capitol, active hockey mom, softball coach and proud UofM supporter - Go Blue!

aurbain@charterschools.orgLinkedIn

14 YEARS
AT MAPSA
18
Becky Carlton
Strategy and Partnerships
Collaborative communicator, creative problem solver, marketing specialist, passionate musician and education supporter.

LinkedIn

15 YEARS
AT MAPSA
22
Buddy Moorehouse
Public Relations & Media

Award-winning newspaper industry veteran, public relations leader, school outreach officer and husband to a Michigan charter school leader. 

bmoorehouse@charterschools.org LinkedIn

14 YEARS
AT MAPSA
24
Dan Quisenberry
President

MAPSA's strategic leader, government affairs and policy development veteran, business specialist and proud father and husband. 

danquisenberry@charterschools.orgLinkedIn

27 YEARS
AT MAPSA
26
Emmy David
Professional Innovators in Teaching Program Assistant Director
Dedicated mom, experienced international teacher, coach and mentor to many.
   
1 YEAR
AT MAPSA
28
Grace Gallagher
Professional Innovators in Teaching Program Coordinator

Interpersonal and creative team player, artist, skier and CMU Grad, Fire Up! 

ggallagher@charterschools.org 
LinkedIn

2 YEARS
AT MAPSA
30
Heather Risner
Membership and Development

Our longest-serving MAPSA team member, member school relationship builder, strategic collaborator and mother of three.

hrisner@charterschools.orgLinkedIn

28 YEARS
AT MAPSA
Meet the MAPSA Staff
Lisa Hammond
Communications Coordinator

Creative thinker, compelling communicator, certified-marketer and a type A-ish risk taker. Marathoner, Gardener,  people-person and involved Charter School parent.

lhammond@charterschools.orgLinkedIn

1 YEAR
at MAPSA
34
Marianne Fant
Grassroots and Outreach

MAPSA's outreach master, collaboration specialist for our schools, proud mom of two, lover of the beach and MSU Alum. 

mfant@charterschools.org 
LinkedIn

3 YEARS
at MAPSA
36
Melissa MacLaren
Professional Innovators in Teaching Program Director

Motivated and driven team leader, committed coach, practical mentor, outdoor enthusiast, wife and proud mother of four.

mmaclaren@charterschools.org 

3 YEARS
at MAPSA
38
Sarah Paciorek
Operations & Events
Keeps all the details in check, project manages all-things-events and new mom to Millie. 

LinkedIn


1 YEAR
AT MAPSA

MAPSA's Board

Check out the passionate people who help guide our work.

Meet The Board
An artistic photo of Downtown Lansing.
Centrally located
Downtown Lansing
A photo of a laptop next to a notebook, pen and headphones.
Tech-friendly​ &
Mac Integrated
A photo of several students standing in a hallway and facing away from the camera.
Mission-driven​
We keep the focus on kids
A photo of several people meeting at a large table.
Collaborative & creative
We're a team first

Discover our vision for better education

Every child deserves a quality education in a quality school; in our ideal tomorrow, those quality options will be abundant and accessible. 

Our vision