Director; Chicago, IL

Mollie is a Director with 15+ years of experience in systems change implementation, policy, and strategy. As a skilled facilitator, Mollie leads diverse stakeholders through complex decision processes.

Her impact can be seen on multiple projects, including:

• Facilitating a community-led steering committee and several technical working groups toward a re-envisioned equitable funding system for a large metro area school district.
• Leading a diverse advisory group that included teachers, principals, parents, board members, the superintendent, and the mayor toward decision-making on a district-wide grade-span reconfiguration initiative.

Prior to Afton, Mollie worked as Senior Counselor to the Deputy Governors for the Illinois Governor’s Office, advancing work in education, criminal justice, equity, and cannabis legalization. Before serving in state government, she managed national teams on government innovations, procurement reform, and outcomes-based financing strategies for the Harvard Government Performance Lab. She also led research teams in South Sudan, Kenya, and Ghana for the World Bank Group, International Budget Partnership, and the London School of Economics.

Mollie began her career as a social entrepreneur, developing the Flower City Soccer League in Rochester, NY. Mollie holds a B.A. in Anthropology and a B.A. in History from the University of Rochester, as well as an M.P.A. in Public Management and Budgeting from the London School of Economics.