Meet Our Leadership Solution Team

The AE Consulting Leadership Solutions Team comprises industry experts with a collective experience of several hundred years dedicated to supporting K-12 school districts. This group includes seasoned professionals, such as "battle-hardened" CFOs, as well as School and District Leaders capable of addressing areas ranging from HR and Instructional Leadership to operations and data analysis. Leveraging deep expertise to assist districts from the "Bus to the Boardroom," the team operates with a philosophy of working with schools, not just for them, to improve learning and ensure positive outcomes for all students.

Jacob Kuper

Achievement Essentials Consulting - Partner

Jacob Kuper

Achievement Essentials Consulting - Partner

Jacob Kuper brings a unique, multifaceted perspective to educational leadership, having sat at every side of the table—from CFO and auditor to board facilitator. Jacob’s philosophy is rooted in a common-sense approach, stripping away bureaucracy to ensure every fiscal and operational decision ultimately serves the same goal: putting students first.

Dr. Scott Hagerman

Achievement Essentials Consulting - Arizona Partner

Dr. Scott Hagerman

Achievement Essentials Consulting - Arizona Partner

With over 25 years of experience spanning the classroom to the superintendent’s office, Scott Hagerman is a seasoned educator dedicated to systemic excellence. His expertise lies in crafting focused action plans that masterfully balance student achievement with fiscal responsibility and community engagement.

Joshua Almy

District and Site-Level Instructional Leadership Consulting

Joshua Almy

District and Site-Level Instructional Leadership Consulting

Dr. Joshua Almy offers nearly 30 years of experience spanning public and international education, combining strategic vision with authentic relational leadership to build inclusive, high-performing communities. Moving from his start as a mathematics teacher to roles as Deputy Superintendent and currently as an international Middle School Principal at the American School of Doha, Dr. Almy specializes in simplifying complex systems while fostering instructional innovation, including PLCs and MTSS. His values-driven leadership has produced measurable results, such as overseeing diverse district operations for a 22,000-student district and driving a 70% increase in AP participation and a 126-point SAT score increase at Liberty High School.

Dr. Emma Batty

Strategic Action Planning, School Leadership

Dr. Emma Batty

Strategic Action Planning, School Leadership

Emma Batty, Principal of Tanque Verde Elementary School, is a seasoned consultant specializing in strategic K–12 educational leadership and the intentional design of high-performing environments. By focusing on systems building, strategic planning, and collaborative team development, Emma provides actionable roadmaps and scalable solutions that drive sustained organizational success and excellence across entire school systems.

Lainie Armienti

Strategic Action Planning, Fiscal and Operationally Consulting

Lainie Armienti

Strategic Action Planning, Fiscal and Operationally Consulting

Lainie Armienti, Director of Business Services for the Tanque Verde School District, provides strategic oversight and operational excellence to ensure efficient business services drive student success. Specializing in fiscal responsibility and organizational leadership, she creates sustainable systems and develops high-performing teams focused on accuracy and transparency.

Lesha Engels

Developing and Scaling Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs

Lesha Engels

Developing and Scaling Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs

Lesha Engels, MBA, is an education leader with 18 years of experience, specializing in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and high-impact strategic communications. Currently serving as a CTE Director, she offers a rare cross-functional expertise, using her background in business and program administration to scale CTE programs, ensure systems compliance, and lead successful digital engagement and levy campaigns. Lesha has delivered measurable results, including 25% CTE enrollment growth and coordinating messaging to successfully pass three levy measures in a single year.

Dr. Dana Bailey

School Administration, Special Education, MTSS

Dr. Dana Bailey

School Administration, Special Education, MTSS

Dr. Dana Bailey partners with small school district leaders to strengthen special education and student support systems, ensuring they are clear, compliant, and focused on student growth. Her collaborative, data-driven approach provides practical solutions for complex challenges like staffing strain and service delivery, helping leaders make confident, financially sustainable decisions. Rather than adding unnecessary initiatives, Dr. Bailey works alongside leadership teams to align MTSS pathways, streamline services, and reduce compliance vulnerability through comprehensive program reviews. By formalizing systems that support staff and maximize limited resources, she empowers districts to achieve measurable improvements in organizational clarity and student achievement.

Janette Jeffris, MBA, CEF

Grants, year-end closeouts, creation of user-friendly financial tools, and long-range financial planning

Janette Jeffris, MBA, CEF

Grants, year-end closeouts, creation of user-friendly financial tools, and long-range financial planning

With 13 years of expertise in school finance, Janette Jeffris, MBA, CEF, serves as the Director of Fiscal Services for Walla Walla Public Schools, where she manages a budget exceeding $100 million. A specialist in operational stability and successful grant and contract management, Janette is renowned for developing innovative financial tools, including the statewide F197 Reconciliation tool, to simplify complex decision-making and ensure organizational efficiency.

Kim Newell

HR Staff Investigations, Human Resource Leadership, Talent Development

Kim Newell

HR Staff Investigations, Human Resource Leadership, Talent Development

Kim Newell brings a comprehensive “classroom-to-district” perspective to school leadership, backed by 25 years in education and 14 years in administration. Currently serving as a Director of Human Resources with Principal and Superintendent certifications, Kim is a highly specialized asset in Title IX and district investigations. Her proven results include reducing staff turnover through centralized hiring and maintaining 100% legal compliance in complex personnel processes.