Our Team

Keshema Davidson, Co-Founder & CEO

Keshema Davidson’s career spans education leadership, program development, and strategic partnerships. With more than a decade of experience in education administration, she co-led the foundation responsible for designing and completing the charter school application for ECPHL, designing Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s first public, open-enrollment early college secondary school, and the first new charter school approved in eight years.

Prior to co-founding ECPHL, Mrs. Davidson spent more than six years at Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School. She began as a work-study program coordinator and later served as manager of community affairs and director of strategic partnerships. In these positions, she founded an after-school and summer academic program serving students from North Philadelphia, led the implementation of a school-based health center, and managed development of the school’s college and career counseling team. Earlier in her career, Mrs. Davidson held the position of program director for LawMeets, a Philadelphia-based legal education company, and served as program assistant for Street Law Inc. and Kid Power Inc. 

Mrs. Davidson holds a master’s degree in public policy from Temple University and earned a bachelor’s degree in international area studies from Drexel University.

David Rad, Director of Operations

David Rad brings more than a decade of experience in classroom instruction, academic leadership and school operations to his role as director of operations at ECPHL. Prior to joining ECPHL, Mr. Rad served as a middle school math, science, and physical education teacher. Earlier in his career, he served as assistant principal at his Alma Mater, Roman Catholic High School, and assistant principal at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in North Carolina.

Mr. Rad oversaw academic programming, teacher coaching, curriculum development, athletic programs, technology initiatives, and day-to-day school operations.

Mr. Rad earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in middle grades math and science education, summa cum laude, from High Point University.

Molly Schmader, Enrollment Manager

Molly Schmader oversees student recruitment and enrollment, leading outreach and family engagement to help build and welcome families to the founding 6th and 9th grade classes. Ms. Schmader previously was project manager and analyst at Philadelphia Middle College Foundation, which designed and completed the charter school application for ECPHL, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s first public, open-enrollment early college secondary school, and the first new charter school approved in eight years. She produced research and data reports to underscore the need for this school model and supported all sections of the charter school application.

Ms. Schmader began her career at Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, serving as project manager and data analyst consultant. In this role, she conducted a feasibility study assessing the viability of opening a second campus. 

Ms. Schmader holds a bachelor’s degree in human geography, with a minor in Spanish, from Bucknell University.