Board of Education

Board of Education Members

Lora Cover

Lora Cover has 25 years of talent experience, spending most of her work-life sitting on the operational side. For more than a decade she worked at Teach For America, recruiting teachers and working to build a human assets team, ultimately leading the organization's People and Talent work. She then went on to be the Chief Talent Officer at Cleveland Metropolitan School District where she built a strategic talent team to support significant transformation in the district of over 6,000 employees. She took her career managing People teams and moved to consulting — both for Bellwether Education Partners and then for Promise54, where she was a founding partner. She now is the founder and CEO of coLeague, a placing on-demand Chief People Officers, people strategists and implementation experts inside organizations - exactly where and how they need them. Their work supports organizations to create cultures where their people can thrive. Ms. Cover holds a bachelor’s degree in labor relations from Cornell University and a master's degree in public administration from Syracuse University. She is the mother of a Shaker Heights alumna and a Shaker Heights High School senior. Ms. Cover was elected as the Board's Vice President in 2023 and as President in 2024. Term ends 12/31/25. 

Email cover_l@shaker.org

Katherine Nielson

Kate Nielson is a policy expert who specializes in building relationships to support lawmakers. She analyzes, drafts, and advocates for the passage of legislation at the local, state and federal levels. Her issue expertise spans education, civil rights, economic security, and gender equity. Ms. Nielson’s experiences include directing leadership programming for state lawmakers at The States Project, serving as the chief lobbyist and policy strategist for the American Association of University Women, conducting research and analysis for governors with the National Governors Association, and organizing students with the Feminist Majority Foundation. Ms. Nielson is a proud Shaker Heights High School graduate and mother of two current Shaker students. She holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College. Term ends 12/31/29.

Email nielson_k@shaker.org

James Reed III

James Reed, III is a retired educator and longtime resident and graduate of Shaker Heights. He served as a principal at Cleveland Heights High School for 15 years after having taught for 11 years at the middle school in that District. After retiring, he became the interim principal at Shaker Heights High School in 2015. He later held assignments at Beachwood High School, St. Edward High School, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Campus International Baccalaureate (IB) School and was a building administrator at Chardon High School. Mr. Reed is an avid reader and proud father of four Shaker graduates. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in administration from Cleveland State University along with an education certificate. Term ends: 12/31/29.

Email reed_j@shaker.org

Pamela Scott

Pamela Scott has more than 25 years of experience in education and the nonprofit sector. Alongside her husband, Darnell, they raised four wonderful young men, all Shaker graduates. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Government Grants Administration at the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio, Ms. Scott previously served as a program manager at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District managing federal funds, programming, and external partnerships – there she designed and implemented a shared accountability system, fostering collaboration between partners and the school district to enhance educational outcomes for students and families. She has experience in direct practice and worked at a community development corporation managing programs tied to model block grants from the city of Cleveland. Beyond her professional roles, Pam has served many community initiatives, including the PTO, Shaker Boosters Club, and is currently a member of the high school athletic Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee. Ms. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Capital University and a master's degree of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. Term ends: 12/31/27.

Email scott_p@shaker.org

Douglas Wang

Douglas Wang has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a retired Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Bank in Cleveland. Prior to his time at Northern Trust, he was a partner in several investment management firms for 25 years. He is active in the nonprofit community in Cleveland, currently serving on the boards of Judson Services, Inc.; University Circle, Inc.; the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland; and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Earlier, he served on the board of the Shaker Schools Foundation and as a trustee of Kenyon College. A resident of Shaker Heights for over 35 years, Doug and his wife, Holly, raised four Shaker Heights High School graduates. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in management from M.I.T. Term ends 12/31/27.

Email wang_d@shaker.org