Kelli Peterson

Kelli Peterson

2019 NACSA Leader

Chief Portfolio Innovation and Accountability Officer NOLA Public Schools

Dr. Kelli Peterson serves as the Chief Portfolio Innovation and Accountability Officer for NOLA Public Schools, the first all-charter school district. Dr. Peterson leads a team that is responsible for the accountability of 78 charter schools, building the capacity of 38 charter boards, development of new school strategy and the authorization process.

Dr. Peterson is deeply invested in charter schools. She has served as a teacher, Dean of Students, Dean of Curriculum and Instruction and School Leader, all within charter schools across various states.
Through educational pursuit, her efforts to alleviate inadequate educational opportunities for students of color is embedded at the core of her work.

Dr. Peterson earned her bachelor’s from Spelman College, Master of Education from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, and Doctorate of Education from Tennessee State University.


Most Recent Posts
How to Start Updating Your New School Application to Reduce the Paper Burden
Most authorizers will need some time to make NACSA’s suggested improvements to their new school application process. Here are some ideas on where to start.  1. Focus on the vision...
NACSA Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Charter Schools
Statement from NACSA President & CEO, M. Karega Rausch, Ph.D., on the Supreme Court of the United States decision in the case of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School...
After a Quarter Century: Time to Reboot the New Charter School Application Process
The public charter school sector was designed to be responsive and innovative, operating in a space freed from the bogged-down bureaucracy that so often hampers other public schools. Each new...