CONSULTANTS
Perkins Consulting Group is a full-service international education consulting firm. We specialize in leadership and organizational development. Our services include board training and coaching, executive coaching, facilities improvement, educational planning, programming and logistics. We offer customized services for corporate, non-profit, university and school organizations.
Dr. Brian K. Perkins
Principal
Dr. Perkins founded the firm in 2007 and has been the principal consultant since inception. He has been providing education consulting since 1994. Dr. Perkins has been a university professor and university administrator in education for over 20 years and served as the national president of the Council of Urban Boards of Education. He served as president for the New Haven Board of Education and was a member for almost 12 years and was on the board of directors for the National School Boards Association for four years. Dr. Perkins received his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Grambling State University in Louisiana and his professional and doctoral degrees from Yale University School of Medicine and Columbia University respectively.
Dr. James Parla
Senior Consultant
Dr. Parla served as the superintendent of schools in North Bellmore, Island Trees UFSD, Wappingers Central in NY and Hamilton Township in NJ. He also served as an assistant superintendent for business and elementary school teacher. In addition to his experience as a public school administrator and teacher, Dr. Parla served as a member of his local board of education for fourteen years. Dr. Parla received a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Oneonta, a Master of Arts from Adelphi University, a Master of Business Administration from Iona College and a Doctor of Education from Columbia University Teachers College.
Ms. Jacqueline McKissack
Senior Consultant
Ms. McKissack served as the executive manager of the MD/PhD training program at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine for 20 years. She managed recruitment and provided front-line prospective student counseling for admission to this highly competitive national program. She was previously the Director of Communications for the Illinois Commission on Human Relations. She has a solid demonstrated record of both federal and private grant writing, successful funding, grant management and program evaluation. She has extensive experience with clients to pre-screen executive hires and provided technical assistance in risk management, cost saving strategies and creative proposal packaging. She earned a degree in psychology from Talladega College, a graduate degree in education from the University of Chicago and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management - Chicago.
Dr. Jennie Moctezuma
Senior Consultant
Jennie Moctezuma, Ph.D. is a scholar-practitioner who specializes in leadership development, cross-cultural communication, and human-centered organizational change. Over the past two decades, she has worked across schools, districts, and organizations, serving as a teacher and principal in New Orleans’ post-Katrina Recovery School District, as the Director of Leadership Development for the Louisiana Department of Education, and as Program Director for Turnaround Arts initiative with the Obama administration.
She currently serves as an associate professor and works nationally with organizations and school systems seeking more reflective, equitable, and sustainable ways of working together. She holds a B.A. from Earlham College, an M.A. from New York University, an M.Ed. from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from the University of New Orleans.
Ms. Arin J. Perkins, JD
Senior Consultant
Arin is an appellate attorney serving with the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two, where she applies her expertise in legal analysis, writing, and judicial process to complex appellate matters. She earned her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Utah and has a strong track record of leadership rooted in social justice and community engagement, including recognition for creating programs that expand opportunities for underrepresented groups within legal education. Arin’s professional experience is grounded in both practical courtroom work and a commitment to equity in the legal field, reflected in her work during law school and beyond.
Mr. Joseph Fair
Senior Consultant
Joseph Fair, Capital Delivery Project Manager with a Bachelor of Architecture Professional’s Degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago has a 40-year record to lead all phases of construction and renovation projects on multiple construction types such as new construction and renovation in various market sectors such as Education-Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Medical-Biological Sciences (BSD), housing, commercial, public & private sector, federal, state and city. Projects for the PBC & CPS, as a primary team member, I managed the projects in the field during the construction phase, from start to turnkey. Monitored construction progress and Quality Assurance. As the Capital Delivery Project Manager for BSD, I was responsible for capital construction and renovations projects for the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division (BSD). Many of these projects consist of administrative, dry and wet labs supporting faculty in their research efforts at the forefront of medicine and scientific research. Key strengths include Project Management, Business and Technical Development, Owner Representation, direct control over project planning, operations, construction oversight and Quality Assurance-Quality Control.
Ms. Laurie Auguste Senior Consultant
Laurie Auguste is a dedicated public service professional with extensive experience in criminal justice, legal services, and community advocacy. She holds both a Master of Public Administration in Criminal Justice, Management and Operations and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Laurie currently serves as an Investigator with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice in New York City, where she conducts civil investigations, prepares reports, and liaises with government officials and community stakeholders on quality-of-life issues. Her career spans roles at the Legal Aid Society, the NYC Department of Education, and prominent law firms, where she has built expertise in legal research, case handling, and community engagement.
Mr. André Ramos
Consultant
Mr. Ramos is our leadership consultant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a Master Coach and Mediator. He has worked for over 13 years in leadership positions for government, national and multinational companies. He specializes in Positive Psychology and has certifications in DISC, ASSESS and Six Seconds assessment tools. Mr. Ramos has been working for almost a decade in leadership development, Emotional Intelligence, Socio-emotional development and Conflict Resolution. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Federal Center of Technological Education in Brazil and has a Master of Business Administration in Marketing.
Ms. Cray Francis
Associate Consultant
Ms. Francis has over twenty years of teaching experience and has served as a Dean of Instruction and Literacy Facilitator in urban charter and public schools. She is a NY state and NC licensed Highly Qualified Educational Professional with Master degrees in Organizational Leadership & School Building Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, and in Childhood Education, from Mercy College. Ms. Francis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Middlebury College in Vermont. Her areas of expertise are: research-based best pedagogical practices, curriculum design and development, teacher mentoring and coaching; design of professional development improvement plans utilizing student and school data.
Dr. Benjamin Ploeger
Senior Consultant
Dr. Ben Ploeger is the Director General (Superintendent) of the American School of Asunción (ASA) in Paraguay, a non-profit PK–12 institution serving 825 students from over 25 nations and accredited to grant both U.S. and Paraguayan diplomas. Under his leadership, ASA has achieved record-setting SAT and AP test performance, and its enrollment and waiting list have reached the highest levels in seventy years. Prior to his tenure at ASA, Dr. Ploeger served as Superintendent of Schools at Kaohsiung American School in Taiwan, where he successfully reduced faculty turnover, improved academic outcomes, and oversaw unprecedented growth in student enrollment. His first headship was at Eagle Ridge Academy Charter High School in Brighton, Colorado, where he guided a major financial recovery, raised test scores, and led multiple successful charter renewals. Earlier in his career, Dr. Ploeger served as Academy Director and mathematics teacher at Sarah T. Reed Senior High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, deepening his commitment to equity and excellence in education.
Dr. Kristy Dela Cruz
Associate Consultant
Dr. De La Cruz has more than twenty years of experience in urban education, in which she has served various roles such as teacher, coordinator, assistant principal, and principal. As an educator, she has achieved her National Board Certification in English as a New Language and her National Mentor Certificate from the National Association of Elementary Principals. Kristy earned both her masters of education and her doctorate of education in Organizational Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. Some areas of expertise include creating systems and structures to support English Language Learners, building positive school cultures that promote learning, and developing professional learning cycles for teacher and staff development.
Dr. Rashid Faisal Associate Consultant
Dr. Faisal is a highly respected instructional leader with progressive experience and accomplishments as an administrator at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Widely recognized for expertise in curriculum planning, instructional supervision, data and assessment, safety-net programs for at-risk populations, school improvement, strategic planning, transformation/reform planning, parent outreach, and the implementation of college-bound culture. Mr. Faisal received dual Bachelor's Degree in English and Sociology from Madonna University and Master's Degree in Education and Reading from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. His second Master's Degree in School Leadership and Organization from Teachers College Columbia University. He received his doctoral degree in Urban Education and Leadership at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
PLUS 14 JUNIOR CONSULTANTS DEPLOYED AS NEEDED.
We have a range of junior specialists for special short and long-term projects who can assist your organization with a variety of projects including but not limited to instructional coaching, human resources, accounting, finance, event planning and logistics.
“Innovation is a new solution for a new or existing challenge. At Perkins Consulting Group, we diagnose problems and solve them using industry-changing approaches. We are innovation."
Dr. Brian K. Perkins, Principal