The Evanston School District 65 School Board appointed Elisabeth “Biz” Lindsay-Ryan Monday night to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of board member Lindsay Cohen.
Lindsay-Ryan is a diversity and inclusion professor, trainer and consultant with three children attending Evanston D65 schools. She holds a master’s degree from DePaul University in human services and counseling and a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University.
Lindsay-Ryan teaches classes on civic engagement, diversity, gender and agents of change at DePaul’s School for New Learning. She also served for many years as a director of programs at the Women’s Center at Northwestern University.
Lindsay-Ryan has worked as a consultant with educational institutions and companies building capacity for equity, diversity and inclusion.
“I believe in the potential of Evanston and yet see where we are falling short as a community. As a former consultant with D65, I have been able to work with so many incredible educators that bring their passion, skill, and dedication to meet the needs of our community,” Lindsay-Ryan said in a statement.
“I believe our school district has serious challenges on the path to truly providing an equitable experience for all of our students and we are at a critical moment in our efforts toward equity. I want to be a part of transforming our schools into a place where all students are valued, welcomed, included, respected and equally successful and there is not racial predictability in their present or their future.”
Board President Sunith Kartha said over 30 applications were submitted for the school board opening.
“In a field of many qualified candidates, Biz stood out for her experience in issues of racial equity and her track record as a collaborator and a change agent, including her extensive diversity and inclusion and school climate work in our own community,” Kartha said
Lindsay-Ryan’s term will run through the April 2021 election.
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D65 school board vacancy announced (7/19/2019)