Jess Banks

Partner, Strategy & Design

Jess is responsible for SCRI’s overall organization health and strategy as well as overseeing the consulting arm of SCRI. Jess brings a decade of experience in developing innovative solutions for underserved and underrepresented youth, and is also a former middle school math teacher. Jess holds BS degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of Vermont.

Bryan Hall

Partner, Research and Evaluation Initiatives

Bryan directs internal and external research and evaluation initiatives across SCRI. Holding a MS in Applied Nutrition and Social Science Food Policy from Tufts University, and a BA in Political Science from Siena College, Bryan has leveraged his background in social science research and program evaluation in his work for non-profit organizations serving highest-need citizens.


BellXcel Board of Directors

BellXcel is governed by a Board of Directors who provide oversight, leadership, and counsel to meet the organization’s strategic priorities.

Laura Samberg

Chair, Executive Director, Samberg Family Foundation

Paula Arrojo

Vice Chair, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs & Co.

Laura Glick

Chief Investment Officer, Spencer Foundation

Laura Grattan

Managing Director - Crosspoint Capital Partners

Tony Jordan

Partner and Americas Forensic & Integrity Services Leader, EY Boston

Allyson Kim

Owner, AK Consulting

George Neble

Managing Partner, Ernst & Young (retired)

Paul Reville

Francis Keppel Professor of Practice of Educational Policy and Administration, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Garrett Smith

Deputy Chancellor, University of Massachusetts Boston

David Zilberman

General Partner, Norwest Ventures Partners

Lauren Sanchez Gilbert

Chief Executive Officer, BellXcel


Research and Evaluation Advisory Board

SCRI’s strong network of experts in youth development and education guides our innovative work. In addition to providing specific expertise on engagements, our Research and Evaluation Advisory Board shapes our most pressing questions, as well as our methods to answer them.

Laurie Browne

Senior Director of Research and Education, American Camp Association

Duncan Chaplin

Senior Researcher, Mathematica Policy Research

Allyson Kim

BellXcel Board of Directors

Jennifer Brown Lerner

Deputy Director, Aspen Institute Sport and Society Program

Tanji Reed Marshall

Director of P-12 Practice, The Education Trust

Jenn McCombs

Adjunct Policy Researcher, RAND Corporation

Deb Moroney

Managing Director, American Institutes for Research

Betsy Starr

Research Associate, National Institute for Out-of-School Time

Nikki Yamashiro

Director of Research, Afterschool Alliance

Tapping into BellXcel’s Legacy

Laurene Sperling served on BellXcel’s Board of Directors for 14 years, almost all as Chair. She continues to be a friend, supporter, thought leader, and strategic partner.

Laurene’s leadership helped to directly build the organization’s capacity and deepen its philanthropic reach. SCRI commemorates her profound impact on BellXcel and continued commitment to youth education.

Our SCRI Team develops and sustains organizational capacity across the sector.

We translate knowledge and insights into organizational best practices, serving a diversified portfolio of nonprofits, schools, intermediary, and foundation clients


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