
Leadership Team
The Leadership Team at International Leadership Charter High School is responsible for management and efficient daily operations at the school.
Dr. Elaine Ruiz-López
CEO & Founder
Dr. Elaine Ruiz-López is the Founder of International Leadership CHS and its Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Ruiz-López was born and raised in the Bronx and has worked in the field of education since 1980. During her career, she has held various leadership positions in public schools, universities and private corporations. She founded International Leadership CHS in 2005 with the goals of creating a collaborative process among faculty for a performance based charter school and developing a professional learning community to deliver instruction in an academically rigorous college preparatory environment. She earned her Doctorate in Special Education/Administration and Masters of Education from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University; a Master’s of Science in Bilingual Special Education from Bank Street College of Education; and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from The City College of New York.
Edilis Gonzalez
Director for Parent and School Community Engagement
Ms. Gonzalez has been with International Leadership CHS since its inception in September 2006. Ms. Gonzalez has been an active key member of the International Leadership CHS Leadership Team by working directly with parents and the broader school community. In her role, Ms. Gonzalez ensures that the parent community understands and embraces the mission and vision of International Leadership CHS by implementing it in her everyday priorities. She graduated with a BA in Social Work from Lehman College. Ms. Gonzalez strives to change her students’ lives by working diligently to involve and engage parents and the school community.
Yverose Ezrin
Director of Talent and Staff Recruitment
Ms. Ezrin has many years of experience as a teacher, coach, and administrator. She is deeply knowledgeable in the latest instructional strategies and has done professional development in many areas to support new and experienced teachers and staff. Prior to her work at the International Leadership Charter High School, Ms. Ezrin launched a passion project - Developing Innovative Rural Thinking Project, which she hopes will bring STEM to children in her native country of Haiti. Her passion for education is what drives her to work tirelessly in order to make a difference in the lives of the children, families, and communities she serves. he is overly excited to be part of the International Leadership Charter High School team and help with the expansion of the school. Ms. Ezrin is a graduate of Bank Street College of education with 20 years of experience in education and more than 10 years of experience in business.
Adriana Cameli
Director of College Prep
As the Director of College Prep, Ms. Cameli works closely with our charter school’s scholars to ensure that they are college and career ready. She spends her days at the International Leadership teaching the College Prep Seminar and counsels our seniors through the college application process, SAT preparation and works closely with the Director of Parent Engagement to provide FAFSA information. In 2013, Ms. Cameli earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Adelphi University and earned her M.Ed in K-12 School Counseling from Manhattan College and graduated as a member of Kappa Delta Pi. After graduate school, Ms. Cameli spent two years working as a College Admissions Counselor to recruit undergraduate students at an institution of higher learning. Her education and training are based on the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model and the Strengths-Based School-Counseling framework.
Desiree Grand
Director of Facilities and Operations
Overseeing the International Leadership CHS operations in all aspects, Ms. Grand brings over 20 years of experience in communications and 10 years of experience in school operations. With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the State University of New York, Ms. Grand has an array of skills including, but not limited to, strategic planning, human resources, budget analysis, and data management which she incorporates in her daily management of the International Leadership CHS campus to ensure the safety of school property staff and students and to guarantee an efficient working and learning atmosphere.
Emely Santiago
Director of Student Support Services
Ms. Santiago has a diverse counseling experiences as she has previously worked for well-known non-profit organizations and the NYC Department of Education. Emely has close to 4 years with the International Leadership Charter High School and was recently promoted to Director of Student Services where she provides a paramount amount of support to scholars in need which includes monitoring student achievement to ensure they are on track with their studies. Ms. Santiago has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Education in School Counseling and Guidance Services which she has been able to apply into her roles.
Indiana Baldera
Director of Grants
Ms. Baldera has a diverse background in project management, finance management, and data management. With a Master of Public Administration from the City College of New York, Ms. Baldera brings over 10 years of management experience working for the New York government and other non-for-profit organizations while collaborating with senior management to meet mission-based goals. Ms. Baldera has overseen multiple grants of up to $60 Million geared towards improving the wellbeing of and financial stability of New Yorkers. Her passion to provide the youth of her community with an excellent high-quality education brings her to the International Leadership CHS.