Who We Are

Born and raised in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood, Colleston Morgan, Jr. was appointed Executive Director of City Forward Collective in 2023. Previously, he served as the organization’s Vice-President of Strategy & Policy. He began his career as a social studies teacher at G.W. Carver High School, where he was recognized as the school’s Teacher of the Year. Colleston then spent time working at the Louisiana Department of Education, and at New Orleans Public Schools, culminating in a Cabinet-level role as the district’s Chief Strategy Officer. While at the district, Colleston was a key leader in the development and implementation of the district’s plan to return to local governance of New Orleans’ system of public charter schools, after more than a decade of state control. Colleston has been recognized as a national leader in charter school authorizing practices and school accountability. Colleston earned an A.B. in Government from Harvard University, a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Chicago, and is an alum of the Pahara Institute, Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship, and the New Leaders Council. Outside of work, Colleston is the proud father of two school-aged daughters.

Robert Rauh is a Senior Advisor at City Forward Collective, where he sits on the Leadership Team and works to engage school leaders across Milwaukee. Previously, Robert was the CEO and former founding principal of Milwaukee College Prep, which opened in 1997 as a rigorous elementary school in a city that sorely needed high performing schools. Responding to the continued urgent need for uncompromising schools, Milwaukee College Prep grew to a four-campus network during Rauh’s tenure with schools deliberately situated in Milwaukee’s most underserved neighborhoods, eventually educating over 2,000 children in grades K3-8. Rauh began his teaching career as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, teaching at a school in West Los Angeles. He then served as a middle school teacher, athletic director and head basketball coach at his alma mater, Brookfield Academy and served as the principal of Urban Day School. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rauh earned his master’s degree in education leadership through the Klingenstein Fellowship at Columbia University.

Spencer Schien is the Director of Strategy and Operations at City Forward Collective. He started with PAVE in 2015, where he worked until that organization merged with Schools That Can Milwaukee to form City Forward Collective in 2019. A large part of Spencer’s role is managing the organization’s data and leading analytics, and he oversees operations as the #2 to the Executive Director. Originally from southern Illinois near St. Louis, Spencer has lived in Milwaukee since 2015. In his free time, you can find him reading his latest book club book or making interesting maps (data nerds rejoice). Spencer holds a BA in Political Science and French from the University of Illinois.

Makaila Silva is the Operations Coordinator at City Forward Collective. Beginning her career as a Teach For America corps member, Makaila continued to teach for a total of five years in both the North and South sides of Milwaukee. While originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Makaila is proud to call Milwaukee her home and loves learning about the local history and staying involved in the community. In her free time, you can find her perusing bookstores, catching a film at The Oriental, or sipping coffee at a local coffee shop. Makaila holds a B.S. in Sociology from Arizona State University and an M.A. in Education from Alverno College.

LaToya Woods is the Parent Engagement Coordinator at City Forward Collective, where she devotes her expertise to fostering meaningful connections between parents and schools. Born and raised in Milwaukee, LaToya remembers being a student in this city herself and has since had to navigate the educational system as a parent. With this background, LaToya’s professional journey has been deeply rooted in her commitment to improving educational outcomes within her community. Prior to joining the City Forward Collective team, LaToya was an Education Organizer for a local charter school. In this role, and in collaboration with City Forward Collective, LaToya sharpened her skills in mobilizing parents and advocating for equitable educational resources. Under her leadership, over 500 parents were successfully mobilized to advocate for this crucial funding increase, demonstrating LaToya’s exceptional ability to galvanize community support for educational reform. As LaToya continues her journey with City Forward Collective, her dedication to parent engagement and community empowerment inspires others and underscores the vital role that advocacy plays in shaping educational policy and practice.

Blaque Robinson is the Development Director at City Forward Collective. Beginning their career as a Coordinator for a Houston-based non-profit organization, Blaque has committed their career to supporting the fundraising infrastructure of non-profits. Blaque was born and raised in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood and attended New Testament Christian Academy, Golda Meir School for the Gifted and Talented, and University School of Milwaukee. In their free time, Blaque can be found watching the latest in the 90 Day Fiance universe, writing poetry about ancestors and nature, or reading a science fiction novel penned by a Black author. Blaque holds a B.A. in Sociology from Rice University and a M.A. in Sociology from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Chelsea Cross is the Director of Communications at City Forward Collective. A Milwaukee native, Chelsea began her career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching in public and private schools across Hawai’i. Her passion for systemic change led her to manage multiple political campaigns and later serve as Chief of Staff at Data for Black Lives, where she leveraged data and technology to influence policy and advance racial equity. Chelsea holds a B.A. in Public Health from Brown University and a Master of Education from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Milwaukee’s vibrant food scene, immersing herself in nature, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.