Our Team

Dr. Chaunise “Chaun” Powell is a respected leader, strategist, and disruptor of inequitable systems. Hailing from the Bay Area (“Yay Area”), she has dedicated her career to transforming education, health, and social service systems so that historically marginalized communities can thrive.

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A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, school social worker, and educational leader, Dr. Powell holds a Master’s in Social Work and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Social Justice. Her work sits at the intersection of policy, practice, and community impact.

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Dr. Powell is widely recognized for building systems that change how institutions serve young people and families. She has built Student Services departments at the county level from the ground up, designing infrastructure that integrates student wellness, mental health, and community-centered support systems. She launched the Student Services Division at the Alameda County Office of Education and the Youth Health & Wellness Department at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, creating innovative models for coordinated student support and cross-agency collaboration.

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In addition to building these systems, Dr. Powell has provided strategic coaching, technical assistance, and implementation support to districts across California, helping educational leaders translate equity-centered policy into actionable, sustainable practice.

Throughout her career, she has helped lead and support some of California’s most transformative statewide initiatives, including:

• The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP)

• The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative

• Transforming Together (T2)

• The California Disrupting Disparities Social Services Advisory Committee

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Dr. Powell also serves on multiple county and regional advisory boards focused on advancing equity, wellness, and opportunity for youth and families. Her experience spans the full educational ecosystem. She has served as a school site social worker, site administrator, district administrator, and county office administrator, while also bringing experience from child welfare, residential treatment, and gang intervention programs. This breadth allows her to help organizations move from vision to implementation in ways that are practical, culturally responsive, and sustainable.

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Deeply committed to developing the next generation of equity-driven leaders, Dr. Powell serves as adjunct faculty at San José State University and California State University, East Bay, where she mentors emerging practitioners and change-makers.

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When she’s not disrupting inequitable systems, Dr. Powell embraces the transformative power of rest and restoration. She enjoys spending time with her family and son, and can often be found on the open road riding her motorcycle to classic Yay Area tunes.