As senior associate for special projects and special assistant to the CEO, Lanell is responsible for supporting the execution of strategic initiatives and leading the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Prior to Chiefs for Change, he was a program manager at EdReports and associate director of special projects at Aspire Public Schools in the Memphis area. At Aspire, Lanell led board and internal development efforts and managed a variety of partnerships and projects. Before that, he oversaw regional recruitment efforts for Education Pioneers, launched the CLOUD901 Learning Laboratory for the City of Memphis, and worked in Talent Operations at TNTP.

Lanell holds a doctorate in educational leadership from East Tennessee State University, a master’s in education from Northeastern University, and a bachelor’s in management and organizational development from Bethel University.