October 28, 2016 — Katherine A. Coyle, a longtime Peorian with extensive experience building collaborative programs among public, private and not-for-profit sectors will become the first Executive Director of Alignment Peoria. The appointment was announced by the Alignment Peoria Governing Board Chairman, Mr. Tom Hammerton, at the regular meeting on October 28, 2016, following a three-month search process.
Although she does not officially begin her new position until November 14, Coyle, currently an adjunct political science instructor at Bradley University, recently accompanied Peoria Public Schools superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat to an Alignment USA training conference in Nashville.
“Alignment Peoria has the potential to be the most transformational educational initiative implemented in our community in many years,” said Coyle. “After immersing myself in the Alignment model in Nashville, I am looking forward to begin building Alignment Peoria.” The Alignment USA Network, a national network of shared practice, made up of communities committed to Alignment Principles, Structure, Process, and Technology. Alignment organizations are forming in communities throughout the nation from local, grassroots efforts searching for solutions.
Alignment USA evolved from Alignment Nashville in response to growing nationwide interest in the model of a coordinated support framework for youth empowerment and success.
Within the Alignment model, work is performed by teams comprised of school district leaders and community leaders. Teams are charged with addressing specific goals in the school district’s strategic plan. Many school districts adopting the Alignment process face extraordinarily complex issues which often are addressed independently by a myriad of agencies. Alignment provides a tool set to build collaboration among schools, agencies and businesses and that collaboration produces a greater return on investment.
“Katherine Coyle’s background is uniquely suited to the Alignment model,” explained Dr. Desmoulin- Kherat. “She has worked as an elected official, board member, staff member or volunteer, for a variety of central Illinois organizations including Illinois Central College (ICC), the City of Peoria, the Illinois 92nd House District, The Children’s Home Association of Illinois, the Peoria Public Schools and Easter Seals. This broad exposure will enable Katherine to build the collaborative relationships Alignment requires.”
According to Alignment Peoria governing board chair Tom Hammerton, Alignment is a way of working, using principles, structure, process and technology. “There needs to be strategic alignment, identification of resources, coordination of resources, collaboration among partners, alignment of resources and systemic change,” Hammerton said. “The executive director must be adept at working with a governing board and operating board, each with distinct responsibilities while building and coordinating the work of teams of community volunteers. It is a challenging undertaking and we believe Katherine Coyle is the right person to lead our efforts. We are excited to get started.”
