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.

Dr. Angela Anglin-Taylor is an instructional leader with more than 25 years of experience in K-12 education. She has served as an administrator and teacher leader focused on improving student achievement. Anglin-Taylor is an advocate for children, educational equity and healthy school cultures in the public and private sectors.

In 2015, she earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University in Atlanta. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Carlow University in Pittsburgh.

Anglin-Taylor began her teaching career as a literacy specialist in the Foster Grandparent Program while working for the American Red Cross. She later served as an elementary and middle school teacher and a K-8 curriculum coach for Pittsburgh Public Schools.

After moving to Georgia, she served as a high school teacher, special education department chair and administrator for the Newton County School System in Covington. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, she served as a principal and director of K-12 education. She is currently the senior director of academics at Propel Schools, a public charter school system.

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.