Senior Leadership

Dr. Tina Chekan serves as the CEO/Superintendent of Propel Schools and Propel Schools Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Ball State University, a Master of Education in Deaf Education from the University of Pittsburgh, and a K-12 Principal Certification from Gannon University. She recently earned her doctorate in Administration and Policy at the University of Pittsburgh. She began her career with Propel Schools in 2003 as a kindergarten teacher at the Propel Homestead site. Since then, she has served as a Literacy Coach, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent. Under her leadership as Principal of Propel McKeesport, she received three Effective Practice Incentive Community Awards from the national organization, New Leaders for New Schools. Prior to her career at Propel, she was a teacher in the Wilkinsburg School District and Behavioral Therapist at Pressley Ridge.

Teresa O’Neill joined the Propel team in 2005 and served as an educator, literacy coach, coordinator of curriculum and instruction, pod director, and senior director of K-8 Schools. While serving as the literacy coach at Propel McKeesport, Ms. O’Neill’s team won the Effective Practice Incentive Community (EPIC) Award for three consecutive years for improving student achievement. She received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, her Masters of Education from California University of Pennsylvania, and her district-wide supervisory certificate from the University of Pittsburgh.

Constance Murray is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 25 years of progressive experience in leadership and development. Before joining the Propel Schools Foundation, Ms. Murray served as Executive Director of Development for Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, where she developed, executed, and evaluated strategies and programs to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation, corporate, and individual gift prospects. She held positions as Director of Development at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Director of Special Events at the American Cancer Society. Ms. Murray has successfully completed capital campaigns, which raised $46 million for the Hillman Cancer Center, $5 million for the Pittsburgh Mercy Family Health Center, and $3 million for the Mercy Burn Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chatham University, majoring in Economics and minoring in Marketing.

Jen joined Propel in January 2024 and manages the Data, Compliance and Reporting team.  She has extensive experience working with data in research and evaluation across the Pittsburgh area for more than 25 years. Prior to Propel, she spent 10 years at the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, first as Project Evaluator and then the Business Systems Analyst. Prior to the YMCA, she worked with a small, woman-owned company that focused on evaluation and performance measurement in the government and non-profit arenas. Jen earned a Bachelor of Science in English Writing with a minor in Communications from Slippery Rock University. She received her Master’s Degree in Research Methodology from the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh.

Jaclyn Hoover, a member of the Propel team since 2015, oversees a range of human resources duties in her role as Senior Director of Human Resources, including benefits, employee relations, and support, implementing new HR information systems, HR-related training and FMLA administration. Prior to Propel, she worked for Education Management Corporation. Ms. Hoover graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in business with a minor in human resources. She holds an MBA and Juris Doctor from Duquesne University.

Ryann Bradley is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Propel Schools and the Propel Schools Foundation. With a rich educational background, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management and Economics from Bethany College, an MBA from Seton Hill University, and a Master of Accounting from Chatham University. Over the past 15 years, Ryann has provided financial leadership to both for-profit and non-profit organizations in the Pittsburgh area. Outside of his professional career, Ryann enjoys traveling with his partner Krista and coaching soccer with the Riverhounds Development Academy.

Sonya Meadows joined the Propel team in January 2018. She works to position Propel as an innovative leader in public education. Before Propel, Ms. Meadows was the spokesperson for the City of Pittsburgh Public Safety Department, the Communication Director for the successful campaign of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto, Executive Director of Governor Ed Rendell’s African American Advisory Commission, and Communications Director for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Ms. Meadows has numerous awards from her time as a Pittsburgh-based journalist. She earned a BA in Journalism and Communications at Point Park University and continues her education at Smartly Institute.

Since 2008, Rich has been part of the Propel team. Propel Schools' Building Operations, Technology, Food Services and Athletic departments are under his supervision. During his tenure at Propel, he coordinated the opening of eight schools and completed over $32 million in acquisitions, build-outs and renovations. Before joining Propel Schools, Rich served as Regional Administrator for Allegheny Valley Schools in Philadelphia. There, he was responsible for the development, opening and operations of 16 intermediate health care facilities. He also worked in the restaurant industry as a General Manager and Project Manager on several remodeling projects in Pittsburgh and along the East Coast. Rich earned a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.