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.

Shelli Luchs is an accomplished event and donor relations professional with nearly two decades of experience in fundraising, community engagement, and alumni relations. She most recently served as Senior Manager, Event and Donations for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, where she oversaw a $2 million budget, secured major gifts, and expanded donor and volunteer networks for key initiatives like Project Prom and the Holiday Project. Prior to her work in Pittsburgh, Shelli held leadership roles in alumni engagement at Barnard College of Columbia University and Marymount Manhattan College, where she developed and executed large-scale events, cultivated donor relationships, and managed volunteer networks. Shelli brings a proven ability to foster meaningful connections, design impactful programming, and steward resources that advance organizational missions.

Nancy Degenhardt is a CPA with 35 years of financial leadership experience across Higher Education, Manufacturing, and Retail. Most recently, she served as University Controller at Carlow University, where she managed comprehensive finance functions, including treasury, grants, and financial reporting.

Nancy began her career in audit at EY before spending a decade as Director of Continental Costs and Controls for Groupe SEB (All-Clad), overseeing a €400 million North American business segment. Her background also includes seven years at General Nutrition Franchising, managing a $575 million budget. A graduate of Mercyhurst University, Nancy lives in Pittsburgh and is an active volunteer with the Mario Lemieux Foundation and the University of Kentucky Parent and Family Association.

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.

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.