Board of Directors

Connect’s governing board ensures that Connect is carrying out its mission and remains financially sound.  The board also works to raise awareness of the school and its work, fundraise to support its mission, and help set the strategic direction of Connect.  Members are volunteers.  You can contact the board by emailing board@connectrwc.org.

The board meets regularly, in public.  You are welcome to attend; find our meeting schedule here.

Jay Dunlap, Secretary

Jay M Dunlap's daughter was a student at Connect from grades 1-8. He has over 32 years as a teacher and administrator in traditional public, charter and private schools. In 2019 he founded Learning Farm Educational Resources, an educational Nonprofit that supports students from underserved communities and those with learning differences.

Tommy O’Toole, President & Treasurer

Tommy has served on the board since 2016. He is retired partner of a Big-4 public accounting firm, with more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Tommy has three children (three former Connect students). 

Anabel Jensen

Anabel has served on the board since 2017. She has been an educator, director, and principal, and has trained over 15,000 educators, parents, and others. Anabel is currently a professor and chair of the department of Education at Notre Dame de Namur University. She is also co-founder of Synapse School in Menlo Park and of a global nonprofit called Six Seconds, The Emotional Intelligence Network.

Dawn Simpkin

Dawn has served on the Board of Directors of Connect Community Charter School since 2024. A retired automotive executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience, she first became involved as a volunteer tutor on campus. As the parent of a son with nonverbal autism, she is committed to advancing inclusive educational opportunities for students with diverse learning needs.

Earnest Cole - 

Earnest L. Cole is an accomplished professional with a robust background in marketing, research, data analysis, grant writing, and program management. He has experience in working in local and state government.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Urban Planning from Southern University in New Orleans. His career spans various impactful roles, from a business development consultant to a program manager. He is also Disabled Military Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp and a business owner.