Alma del Mar’s Board of Trustees has welcomed two new volunteer members and named a new chairperson.
Daniela Melo and Chauneen Leah Wood were approved to join the board in October, when the board also appointed David Prentiss as their new chairperson.
“Our board has recently welcomed new members who infuse fresh and diverse viewpoints that will further empower the critical work of overseeing our schools,” said Executive Director Taylor DeLoach. “This broad range of talent now serving Alma in a voluntary capacity brings specialized knowledge that will drive progress in the community we serve.”
Ms. Melo grew up in Portugal and migrated to the United States as a teenager; New Bedford has been her home since 2008. She holds a Ph.D. and Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Connecticut College. Ms. Melo is currently a lecturer in the division of Social Sciences at Boston University and serves on the Board of Directors for The New Bedford Light.
Ms. Wood is a New Bedford native. She has over 18 years of leadership experience combined with extensive hands-on experience in Regulatory Affairs, as the liaison between medical device industry and government regulators (i.e. FDA, Health Canada, EMA). She is currently the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Verathon, Inc. Ms. Wood holds a Master’s Degree from Northeastern University, a bachelor's degree in Criminology from Stonehill College, along with various professional certifications directly related to her field. She is also published with several articles in the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS), which is the preeminent source of regulatory and clinical knowledge.
Prentiss is the President and CEO of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and previously served as the founding chair of Alma’s Board of Trustees, from 2011-2014. Dave lives with his family in New Bedford and has held senior staff and CEO positions at a number of educational and community organizations in the South Coast region.
Alma trustees are volunteers who serve three-year terms. Trustees are entrusted with ensuring the school lives up to its mission, formulates a long-range plan and accountability plan, and complies with all laws.
Other current Alma del Mar Board of Trustees members are: Isabel Almeida, Christopher Bator, Mel Bride, Alicia Cortez, Yolanda Dennis, Charles Holley, Gail Fortes, John Korn and Maria Rosario.
About Alma del Mar Charter Schools:
Alma del Mar Charter Schools operates two charter public schools in New Bedford. The schools are tuition-free. Alma’s mission is to put every one of our scholars on the path to college and to challenge them to be service-minded leaders. We achieve this mission by providing a demanding and supportive education to every scholar who walks through our doors. Alma features a longer school day, a longer school year, high expectations for all scholars, and outstanding teachers from across the country. We currently serve 1,044 scholars across two campuses in New Bedford.