About MAPSA

Quite simply, we believe in better education opportunities for every child. A better tomorrow depends on it.
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Our Story

MAPSA, Michigan’s charter school association, represents a statewide movement of charter school stakeholders. For 23 years, we have harnessed the power of our charter community through direct and digital grassroots engagement, identifying their shared challenges and developing resources that support their work. We facilitate public support for the movement by utilizing our effective legislative and media avenues to build positive government relations and give the charter community a voice on issues that impact our students and educators.

The MAPSA team
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Dan Quisenberry
President

MAPSA's strategic leader, government affairs & policy development veteran, business specialist & proud father and husband. 

danquisenberry@charterschools.org

517-374-9167

 LinkedIn

20 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
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Becky Carlton
Strategy and Partnerships
Collaborative communicator, creative problem solver, marketing specialist, passionate musician & education supporter.

bcarlton@charterschools.org
        
517-999-4429

LinkedIn

8 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
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Sara Vanderbilt
Operations and Finance

MAPSA's team facilitator, tech whiz, our keeper of budgets, avid Nebraska Huskers fan, cyclist, traveler & youth church group volunteer.

svanderbilt@charterschools.org

517-999-4430

LinkedIn

3 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
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Alicia Urbain
Governmental & Legal Affairs, Attorney

Legislative policy guru, MAPSA's eyes and ears at the capitol, active hockey mom, softball coach & proud UofM supporter - Go Blue!

aurbain@charterschools.org   

517-999-4416

LinkedIn

7 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
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Grace Noyola
Communications and Brand

Brand strategist, strategic designer, front-end web developer, avid dog enthusiast, Spartan grad & Lansing native.

gnoyola@charterschools.org  

517-999-4422

LinkedIn

1 YEAR
WITH MAPSA
A photo of Heather Risner, Director of Member Services for MAPSA.
Heather Risner
Membership and Development

Our longest-serving MAPSA team member, member school relationship builder, strategic collaborator and mother of three.

hrisner@charterschools.org

517-999-4421

LinkedIn

21 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
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Julio Montemayor
Outreach and Grassroots

MAPSA's newest worker bee, Lansing local, University of Michigan fan and grassroots organizer extraordinaire.

jmontemayor@charterschools.org

517-999-4437

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with mapsa
A photo of Buddy Moorehouse, VP of Public Relations & Media for MAPSA.
Buddy Moorehouse
Vice President of Public Relations & Media

Award-winning newspaper industry veteran, public relations leader, school outreach officer & husband to a Michigan charter school leader. 

bmoorehouse@charterschools.org  

517-999-4434

LinkedIn

7 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
Jenna Doe
Social Media Manager

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Visit the Marketplace

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Jenna Doe
Social Media Manager

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Visit the Marketplace

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Our culture defines us
  • We believe in an open financial model - no matter your title
  • We are technology first - as a small team, we need good tools
  • Data matters - our work is strategic, and we evaluate every project
  • We're pro-plants - greenery is a MUST 
  • You're a person first, and an employee second - balance is critical to each of us
  • We believe in good food and better coffee

MAPSA's Board

Check out the passionate people who help guide our work.
Meet The Board
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Centrally located
Downtown Lansing
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Tech-friendly​ &
Mac Integrated
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Mission-driven​
We keep the focus on kids
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Collaborative & creative
We're a team first

Discover our vision for better education

Every child deserves a quality education in a quality school; in our ideal tomorrow, those quality options will be abundant and accessible. 

Our vision