Regional Team

Natalie Wiltshire

Chief Executive Officer

Natalie Wiltshire assumed the role of CEO in July 2023. Natalie started her career at KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools (KPPS) as the Managing Director of Operations before serving as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining KPPS, Natalie was the Director of New York Operations for Achievement First, overseeing school operations for seven academies in Brooklyn, NY. Before joining Achievement First’s central management team, she served as the founding Director of School Operations for Achievement First Crown Heights Charter School. Natalie earned her BA in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and her MA in Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Natalie and her husband, Larry, have two sons, Hayden and Mason.

Rob Vieira

Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Rob Vieira is responsible for design, implementation and efficiency improvements for all areas of operations for KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools. Prior to KIPP, Rob served as the Managing Diretor of People and Operations at City Year Philadelphia, where he oversaw the department focused on aligning organizational human, financial, and physical capital to develop staff and AmeriCorps members. Rob independently financed his college education, earning an MA in Mathematics/Statistics from the University of Connecticut, an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He and his wife reside in West Philadelphia.

Libing Li

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Libing Li oversees the finance and accounting functions and executes the strategic financial vision for KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools. She has over 20 years of accounting, finance, and auditing experience. Immediately before joining KIPP Philadelphia, Libing served as Controller at WHYY -- NPR and PBS member station in the tri-state area. Having begun her career at Arthur Andersen, Libing held key accounting roles within the insurance group, Prudential. She led the Finance Department of HSBC Bank’s Service Center, covering all major support functions, and managed compliance examinations for multiple States. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Libing received her B.A. in International Business from Sun Yat-Sen University and M.S. in Accounting from University of Massachusetts - Amherst. She also holds the designation of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA Canada). Outside work, she enjoys gardening and traveling with her husband and two kids.

Chatara Benson

Chief of Staff

As Chief of Staff, Chatara leads our advocacy efforts, serves as a liaison to the Board of Trustees, and facilitates strategic and annual plan implementation. Chatara has been with KPPS for nearly five years serving as the Director of Development then as the Managing Director of Development and Engagement before her role as Chief of Staff. Prior to joining KIPP, Chatara served as Director of Operations at Parents for Great Camden Schools, a start-up family advocacy nonprofit. Prior to that, Chatara worked at Philadelphia School Partnership as a part of the school investment team. Chatara started her career in the financial services industry, where she spent nearly seven years in various roles, primarily in asset management. Chatara has resided in Philadelphia for nearly fifteen years by way of New Jersey. Chatara is a graduate of The George Washington University where she earned a B.B.A. with a concentration in Marketing and received her M.S in Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, Chatara enjoys reading, traveling, and trying new restaurants.

Ivana Gasiorowski

Head of Schools

Ivana Gasiorowski serves as one of the Head of Schools. In this role, she supports student learning across KPPS by coaching and managing Principals. She has been in education for 10+ years, beginning her career as a kindergarten teacher with KPPS. Before beginning her role as a Head of Schools, she served as an Assistant Principal and later the Principal of KIPP Philadelphia Elementary Academy. She received her B.A. in Spanish Literature and Education from Haverford College and her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Widener University. Outside of work, Ivana loves spending time with her husband, Gregory, and their three children, Grayson, Logan, and Gwendolyn.

Melissa Poorman

Head of Schools

As Head of Schools, Melissa Poorman supports student learning across KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools by coaching and managing principals and supporting their implementation of all facets of programming.

Throughout her 14+ year career in education, Melissa has had the honor and privilege to serve the most amazing students and families in the Northeast, North, and West Philadelphia communities. Melissa started her career as a high school English teacher through Teach For America. After three years at her placement school, she joined the team at KPPS and has been here ever since. Melissa has served in many school-based roles as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. She led KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy for six years.

Melissa earned a B.A. in Politics with minors in African-American Studies and Poverty and Human Capabilities Studies from Washington and Lee University. She earned a M.S.Ed. from University of Pennsylvania.