CPS Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Network and Central Office Appointments

CHICAGO- The Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday approved four key leadership appointments, strengthening Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) commitment to academic excellence, operational stability, and equitable opportunities for more than 315,000 students and their families.

These appointments place proven leaders in critical roles that directly influence District-wide operations and student achievement. Each leader has demonstrated a strong track record of advancing educational equity and brings a clear vision for improving outcomes across diverse school communities.

“CPS greatly benefits from the dedication and expertise of the outstanding professionals stepping into these critical leadership roles,” said Interim CPS CEO/Superintendent Dr. Macquline King. “Their leadership will strengthen support for our schools and staff to ensure our students have every opportunity to succeed in college, career and civic life.”

New Executive Appointments

• William R. Klee: Chief of the Office of Multilingual-Multicultural Education (OMME)
• Iris Millán: Chief of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA)
• Dr. Brigitte Swenson: Chief of Options Network
• Dr. Tiffany D. Brown: Chief of Network 5

William R. Klee: Chief of the Office of Multilingual-Multicultural Education (OMME)

The Chicago Board of Education has appointed William Klee as the Chief of the Office of Multilingual Multicultural Education. Klee, a dedicated Latino educational leader and former English Learner, is a product of CPS, where he graduated from Sullivan High School. With over 27 years in public education, he has focused on providing every student access to quality education.

Currently, Klee serves as the Deputy Chief of High Schools for CPS, overseeing academic and operational excellence across the District's high schools. His career includes roles as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Network Chief of Schools, and Deputy Chief, giving him a robust understanding of instructional leadership and organizational improvement.

Klee's experience spans Pre-K through 12th grade, allowing him to effectively address critical transitions that influence student success. He has led initiatives to enhance teaching and learning, build leadership capacity, and improve student outcomes across Chicago.

As a former English learner, Klee combines professional expertise with personal experience, fueling his commitment to multilingual education and educational equity. He creates supportive learning environments where all students can thrive.

Recognized as a collaborative and innovative leader, Klee advocates for distributive leadership and invests in empowering school and District leaders. He forms strong partnerships with educators, families, and community organizations to enhance student achievement and well-being.

Klee earned a bachelor of arts in history and secondary education from Northeastern Illinois University, followed by a Master’s in special education from the same institution. He then pursued a master’s in leadership at Concordia University and achieved an advanced certification from National Louis University. Additionally, he obtained his superintendent license from the University of Illinois in Chicago. Klee is also a proud parent of three children attending CPS.

Iris Millán: Chief of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA)

Iris Millán has dedicated her career to the intersection of education, government, philanthropy, and community engagement, transforming public policy into meaningful opportunities for students and families. A proud Mexican American immigrant, Millán moved to Chicago from Mexico at the age of eight and learned English as a CPS student. Her experiences influenced her commitment to expanding educational opportunities and creating pathways for economic mobility through public service.

As Associate Vice Chancellor of Government Affairs and Civic Engagement at City Colleges of Chicago, Millán advises executive leadership on legislative strategy, builds relationships with elected officials, coordinates multimillion-dollar funding requests across the seven colleges, and collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to secure significant funding and policy opportunities.

An active civic leader, Millán is a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and an alumna of the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership Training Academy. She serves on the advisory board of the National Immigrant Justice Center and the governing board of BUILD.

Millán, a proud mother of two, holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Arts in higher education leadership from Northeastern Illinois University.

Dr. Brigitte Swenson: Chief of Options Network

The Chicago Board of Education has appointed Dr. Brigitte Swenson as Chief of the Options Network, overseeing a diverse portfolio of 36 schools that includes district-run, contract, charter, and Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs, serving over 6,300 high school students in Chicago. The Options Network plays a critical role in driving districtwide success, focusing on student engagement, graduation rate improvement, and closing opportunity gaps.

With nearly 30 years in CPS, Dr. Swenson has extensive experience as an educator and school leader. She began her career as an English teacher in Omaha Public Schools and later became a founding teacher at Peace and Education Coalition High School. Dr. Swenson dedicated 24 years there, including 14 years as principal, where she enhanced instruction and promoted equitable outcomes.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Swenson served as deputy chief from 2022 to 2026, developing school leaders and strengthening practices in continuous improvement, culturally responsive curriculum, and social-emotional learning. Dr. Swenson participated in the inaugural Chicago Principal Fellows cohort and is Cambiar Catalyst Fellow, focusing on systemic transformation. Dr. Swenson earned her bachelors in English and literature from Knox College and has also earned a master’s in educational administration from St. Xavier and she was a principal fellow at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management. She holds a Doctor of Education in urban education leadership from the University of Illinois Chicago where her capstone research addressed strategies to dismantle inequity and enhance instruction across option schools.

Dr. Tiffany D. Brown: Chief of Network 5

Dr. Tiffany D. Brown currently serves as the Acting Chief of Schools for Chicago Public Schools, following her previous service as Deputy Chief of Schools. In these District leadership roles, she partnered closely with school leaders to accelerate student achievement, strengthen instructional leadership, cultivate positive school cultures, and advance equitable outcomes for every student. Dr. Brown demonstrates a strong commitment to developing high-performing leaders, building coherent systems of support, and creating the conditions that enable schools, educators, and students to thrive.

With more than two decades of experience in education, Dr. Brown has served in a variety of leadership and instructional roles, including principal, assistant principal, instructional coach, teacher leader, and classroom teacher. Throughout her career, she has led school improvement efforts, developed instructional leaders, and implemented strategies designed to strengthen teaching and learning. Her leadership is grounded in educational equity, organizational effectiveness, continuous improvement, and improved outcomes for students across diverse school communities.

In addition to her leadership role with CPS, Dr. Brown serves as an adjunct professor, educational consultant, mentor coach, and Cambiar Catalyst Fellow. Through these roles, she prepares, develops, and supports aspiring and current educational leaders, extending her impact beyond the schools and communities she directly serves.

Before entering the field of education, Dr. Brown began her professional career as a chemist, an experience that helped shape the analytical, strategic, and systems-based approach she brings to leadership and continuous improvement. A proud Chicago native and graduate of Chicago Public Schools, Dr. Brown remains deeply committed to giving back to the city and school system that helped shape her.

Dr. Brown earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Chicago State University and a master’s degree in general administration from the American College of Education. She also earned an Education Specialist degree in educational leadership and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from National Louis University. ###