Emily Masengale is the Assistant Executive Director of Christel House Indianapolis, a local innovative charter school network that has been serving the Indianapolis community for 20 years. She helps support long term strategic planning for the network, supports the principals at each school, and is spearheading the network’s DEI initiatives. She has been with the network for 11 years, prior to transitioning into the Assistant Executive Director role in 2020, she was the Founding Principal, writing the charter and designing the programming, of Christel House DORS, an adult school in Indianapolis serving students 18 and older that want to earn a high school diploma instead of a GED/HSE. The charter was approved and authorized in 2011 and started serving 175 students in 2012. In 2022 DORS has grown to three campuses serving over 700 students annually. Emily oversaw the growth and led all three campuses overseeing staff development, curriculum development, culture, DEI initiatives, staffing, community relations and student recruitment. She has also worked as an Internship Coach for Columbia University’s Summer Principals Academy during this time.
Emily was selected as the first Indianapolis Principal Fellow in 2010, a leadership pipeline that is a partnership with Teach for America Indianapolis and Columbia University where she earned her MEd. in Organization and Leadership. Prior to moving back to her hometown of Indianapolis, Emily was a Teach for America corps member in St. Louis and stayed for several years after her corps commitment was fulfilled, where she earned her first Master’s in Education Administration from Saint Louis University. Prior to joining Teach for America, she earned her BA in Secondary Special Education with a minor in Leadership, Ethics, and Social Action from Indiana University. She also holds a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University.
Emily is actively engaged in her community and has sat on several Boards and many advisory task forces. Her current involvement includes serving on the Boards of the Irsay Family YMCA at Cityway, Indy Maven, and an Advisory member for RISE Indy. She formerly sat on the Seconds Helpings Board of Directors, Teach for America Alumni Board, Purchased Board, to name a few. Her awards and accomplishments include:
“Distinguished Young Professional” by the National Urban League 2020
RISE Leadership Fellow 2021-2022
“WomanKind” feature in Kathy Davis Designs 2018
IU Health Foundation’s Inspiring Leaders 2016
Junior Achievement’s “Best and Brightest in Education and Nonprofit” Award 2015
One of twenty in Indianapolis to be a part of the first Advance 317 (Toronto) cohort through the Indy Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Exchange (LEX Glamour Magazine)
Indiana “Hometown Hero: 50 Phenomenal Women a Year Who are Making a Difference” 2014
Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series Class of 2014
Finalist for Junior Achievement Indianapolis’ Best and Brightest Award 2014
Indianapolis Business Journal “Forty Under 40” 2014
“Woman to Know” by the Indianapolis Star 2014
St. Louis Public Schools Teacher of the Year 2009
Missouri Teacher of the Year Top 5 Finalist 2009
She is the proud mom of 21 month old identical twin girls and loves to explore all things Indy (including trying new restaurants) with her friends and family. Travel is a passion that has subsided a bit since the pandemic and arrival of babies, but she hopes to be able to pick that up again soon as well!