Scott Frauenheim | Chief Executive Officer
Scott Frauenheim has dedicated his career to building positive learning environments for students and educators. As a member of the founding team of Distinctive Schools, he has fostered the development and growth of the network from its inception in 2011. His tenure with Distinctive Schools began in the classroom, and through thoughtful leadership, incredible initiative and endless creativity, Scott advanced from Teacher to Dean, Dean to Director, Director to President, and President to Chief Executive Officer. Scott is recognized as a leader and pioneer of transformational work throughout the education community, operating intentionally to harvest a diverse, healthy and positive working environment. Scott leverages the strength of Distinctive Schools’ vigorous culture and harnesses the strengths of his team to move the work. Scott’s commitment to thriving culture, strategic vision, meticulous operations, inspirational leadership, and nimble adaptability have earned him a national reputation for leadership, innovation and personalized learning.
Mary Beck | President
Mary Beck brings more than two decades of leadership in K–12 education, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Teaching and Learning for Chicago Public Schools, where she led professional learning communities, district-wide instructional strategies, and innovative initiatives, including artificial intelligence (AI) integration by creating the CPS AI framework. Under her leadership, CPS saw significant post-pandemic academic recovery, leading the nation in reading growth among the top 40 urban districts.
Beck brings a wealth of school leadership experience, having served as Principal of Nicholas Senn High School, as well as an Assistant Principal at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center and North Lawndale College Prep. Her background in educational leadership, budgeting, talent infrastructure, board engagement, fundraising, partnerships, and planning uniquely positions her to help strengthen Distinctive Schools’ impact and sustainability. She is a recognized thought leader in AI in education, equity-driven instruction, and postsecondary success.
Monique Langston | Chief of Staff
Monique Langston is an accomplished operational leader with a wealth of experience in project management, partnerships, communications, strategy, and business operations. Monique earned a Bachelors in Public Relations and a Masters in Journalism from Roosevelt University. Her passion for education is evident throughout her career; she has an impressive track record in both operational and administrative management. As Distinctive Schools’ Chief Strategy Officer, Monique works with various teams to ensure operational excellence, strong collaboration amongst various stakeholders, and the development and implementation of strategic priorities.
David Sundstrom | Chief Administrative Officer & Co-Founder
David Sundstrom is an attorney specializing in contract and education law. David has been counsel to school district leaders and school district boards on matters ranging from superintendent-board contract negotiations to labor/employment and human resources management, special education compliance, risk management and civil rights policies and compliance. David Sundstrom is co-author of two textbooks: Power of Teaching—The Science of the Art (1st Edition 2002; 2nd Edition, 2007) and Power of Coaching—Teachers and Teaching (2009).
Elizabeth Winke | Chief Financial Officer
Elizabeth Winke is a motivated, personable professional with over 20 years of experience in accounting and nonprofit finance. She brings analytical thinking and problem solving to all tasks, with strong knowledge and focus in audits, management, concepts, and strategy. Throughout her career, Elizabeth has concentrated on service and nonprofit financial management, serving Howard Brown Health Center, the LUNGevity Foundation, Feeding America, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. Elizabeth joined Distinctive Schools as Controller in 2021, served as interim Chief Financial Officer in 2022, and was formally awarded the Chief Financial Officer role in 2023. She is a licensed CPA and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Purdue University.
Katie O'Connor | Vice-President
Katie O’Connor is a dedicated educational leader, steadfast in her commitment to urban education and the continuing development of educators. Throughout her tenure with Distinctive Schools, Katie has served as an elementary educator, instructional coach, director of literacy, and executive director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She ensures instructional strategy is aligned to the mission and vision of Distinctive Schools and promotes investment in educators through design, collaboration, and professional growth plans. Katie brings a wealth of knowledge to empowering educators and the acceleration of productive, creative, happy learners.
Erin Lanoue | Chief Operating Officer
Erin Lanoue serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Distinctive Schools. With over fifteen years of education and operations experience, Erin’s extensive knowledge in financial and programmatic activities contributes to the overall success of the organization, and Erin provides day-to-day oversight of operations, including finance, facilities, talent, and marketing. Prior to Distinctive Schools, Erin served as Vice President, Operations at Charter School USA managing procurement, transportation, food service, contracts, categorical grants and school business managers for 85 schools in seven states from Illinois to Florida, as well as served as Chief of Staff, and other roles, at Chicago International Charter School for over a decade. Her sharp focus on teams and operations aligns with Distinctive Schools’ innovative approach to make effective use of our resources while fostering a lifelong love for learning for all our students.
Mike McCarthy | Chief of Culture & Belonging
Mike McCarthy builds, improves, and scales support systems for students, families, and staff through innovative models of public education. Initially trained as a mental health professional and school counselor, Mike brings therapeutic expertise and a strength-based approach to his relationship-centered work. He has served in roles that touch all aspects of program management in organizations from Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and most recently, Detroit. His work transcends student services to strategy development to local resourcing to day-to-day performance, with a special focus on SEL and school culture. As the former Executive Director of Student Support Services and Director of School Culture for Distinctive Schools, Mike continually championed the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work to support diverse talent across leadership, staff, and partners. Mike is passionate about cultivating and reflecting optimal representation and - as importantly - bringing diverse perspectives together to support school missions, programs, and communities.