Michael Gaal is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of service-centered experience across multiple sectors and disciplines. Before coming to D11, Michael served as Deputy Chancellor, DC Public Schools; Chief of Staff, Oakland Unified School District; and Chief Operations Officer and Elementary Superintendent, Education Achievement Authority of Michigan. His private sector experience includes President of Sales for an education technology company, and Chief Operations Officer and later President of an energy management company, primarily supporting school districts and universities. Michael is a retired Air Force Colonel with deep experience in in-flight instruction, mobility operations, and national strategic policy development. Michael's student's first mantra and understanding of the needs of schools and students drive his urgency and passion for ensuring all students are loved.

The CRO leads the district's resource-related efforts. This includes short and long-term financial forecasts, developing and implementing strategies to find efficiencies within budgets and staffing allocations. The CRO will connect ideas, think strategically, and develop and implement innovative solutions to complex problems while keeping schools at the center of our focus.

David Khaliqi, Ph.D. is the Executive Director for Education Insights. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Colorado State University. After receiving his undergraduate degree David taught science and math for 12 years in a variety of locations from rural Colorado, South America, and Colorado Springs. David moved into higher education in 2007 as the founding director of the Center for STEM Education at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) where he worked with over 200 teachers and thousands of K12 students in STEM activities and workshops. In 2014 he became the Executive Director over the Pre-Collegiate Support and Success Center at UCCS working with first-generation and military families related to college readiness and concurrent enrollment opportunities. In 2014, David earned his doctorate from UCCS in Educational Leadership, Research, and Foundations studying the effect of physics education on math performance. He has presented and published on a variety of topics related to STEM education including scenario-based learning, early physics curricula, and effective teacher professional development. David has a passion for using data to inform high-quality teaching and learning practices.

Kris is a Colorado native from Pueblo who retired from the Air Force after serving 21 years.  Kris joined the D11 Team in 2006. She worked with charter schools, construction projects, and various real estate transactions while she served as the Executive Director Procurement and Contracting for over a decade before her selection as the Chief Operations Officer (COO). She leads with improving student support outcomes and collaborates to develop forward thinking processes to guide the operations team.

The COO is responsible for the overall operations of the district, including facilities operations and maintenance, transportation, food service, procurement and contracting, and security. As the COO, she develops and implements strategies to improve the district's efficiency and effectiveness in student support operations. Kris finds ways to make strategic change to transform traditional methodology to innovative processes throughout the Operations Division.

Other D11 connections include CSASE Board, Mill Levy Override Oversight Committee Liaison, Legislative Liaison, Policy Sub-Committee Member, Procurement Ethics Official and Charter School Administrative Team.

Kris’ professional affiliations include Colorado Association of Business School Officials (CASBO), National Institute Governmental Purchasing and Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association where she holds her Certified Public Procurement Officer certification.

Kris has a passion for watching football, gardening, playing golf and most importantly spending time with her family.
 

With over a decade of experience in teaching, special education, and library technology, Nicole has also served as our Personalized Learning Systems Coordinator and Senior Strategic Advisor.  Her leadership will drive positive change and continuous improvement in our PK-14 system.