The Mind Trust hires two new staffers and promotes an additional five
INDIANAPOLIS – (July 25, 2025) – The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, today announced the hiring of two new roles: Senior Director of Talent Operations, Brian Laskey, and BriAnn Gibson, Director of Talent Recruitment and Selection. Additionally, five staff members received promotions. Corrie Lapp has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer; Rob Evans has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Impact; Kateri Whitley has been promoted to Vice President of Communications; Luke Lennon has been promoted to Vice President of Talent and School Growth; and Dr. Tianay Perrault has been promoted to Senior Director of Indiana Fellowships.
“I’m thrilled to have Brian Laskey and BriAnn Gibson join The Mind Trust. Their unique talents and strategic leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our team and culture as we work toward our mission of high-quality educational outcomes for all students,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust.
“I’m also incredibly proud to celebrate these promotions. Each of these team members brings deep commitment and leadership to our work. In their expanded roles, they’ll help drive even greater impact for the students and communities we serve,” said Brown.
Each of these professionals will support The Mind Trust’s work to manage student-centered programming, grow new high-quality public charter schools, support existing schools and educators, and engage the community across the Indianapolis, Indiana, and Connecticut educational landscapes. Since 2006, The Mind Trust has supported the launch of more than 50 schools, 15 education nonprofit organizations, and has helped place over 1,800 teachers and school leaders.
New Hires
Brian Laskey, Senior Director of Talent Operations
As Senior Director of Talent Operations, Brian Laskey will lead HR functions, new employee onboarding, and employee performance management for The Mind Trust. He will also manage
the staff’s professional development efforts.
Laskey is a dedicated nonprofit leader and accomplished human resources executive with a deep commitment to advancing educational opportunities and strengthening communities. Prior to working at The Mind Trust, he was Vice President of Human Resources at The Villages of Indiana, where he drove transformative change. His career spans over a decade in human resources leadership, with extensive experience in multi-site management, employee relations, and strategic talent development.
Click here to learn more about Brian Laskey.
BriAnn Gibson, Director of Talent Recruitment and Selection
As Director of Talent Recruitment and Selection, BriAnn Gibson leads the recruitment and selection strategy for The Mind Trust’s city and statewide fellowship programs in Indiana, Connecticut, and beyond. In this role, she identifies exceptional leaders to launch or grow transformational public schools across Indiana and oversees rigorous, equity-centered selection processes across programs.
Gibson is a seasoned talent acquisition professional with a decade of experience in the education and social impact sectors. She has led recruitment and talent strategy work for national nonprofits, public school systems, and mission-driven organizations, with a focus on increasing diversity, strengthening candidate experience, and aligning hiring with organizational goals. Prior to joining The Mind Trust, she served as a consultant with Stronger Consulting, advising education-focused organizations on strategic hiring and operational efficiency. Gibson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Memphis.
Click here to learn more about BriAnn Gibson.
Promotions
Corrie Lapp, Chief Financial Officer
Corrie Lapp has been an integral part of The Mind Trust since its founding in 2006. As one of the founding members of the team, Corrie’s institutional context and extensive financial expertise have continuously aided in the organization’s impact. Prior to joining The Mind Trust, Corrie held various roles in education, including leading the Chicago Charter School Foundation and serving as Indianapolis Charter Schools’ Assistant Director during Mayor Bart Peterson’s administration.
In her expanded capacity as Chief Financial Officer, Corrie will use her strategic mindset and fiscal acuity to develop and oversee the organization’s financial strategy, annual budget, financial controls, operations, and human resources.
Corrie began her work with The Mind Trust in 2006 when David Harris launched the organization. As the staff member with the longest tenure, she has been an integral leader and is well-positioned to expand her impact further as we look to the future. In this new role, Corrie Lapp will give increased attention to strategic financial stewardship and The Mind Trust’s financial sustainability while continuing to oversee all aspects of our growing organization’s finance, operations, and HR functions.
Click here to learn more about Corrie Lapp.
Rob Evans, Senior Vice President of Impact
Formerly The Mind Trust’s Vice President of Impact, Rob Evans has a new role as Senior Vice President of Impact. Rob’s extensive leadership experience and systemic approach to organizational priorities will serve the organization well as he oversees the Advocacy & Community Engagement, Communications, and Development teams.
Previously, Rob served as Executive Vice President of Government and Community Affairs for the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, an organization that creates affordable housing solutions for people with low and moderate incomes.
Click here to learn more about Rob Evans.
Kateri Whitley, Vice President of Communications
Kateri Whitley has been with The Mind Trust for six years, during which time she has built comprehensive communications strategies that have proven beneficial for the education ecosystem. In her new role as Vice President of Communications, Whitley will continue to develop innovative internal and external strategies for The Mind Trust and its partners locally and nationally.
Prior to joining The Mind Trust, Whitley spent eight years at Providence Cristo Rey, where she held multiple positions, including Director of Marketing and Alumni Outreach.
Click here to learn more about Kateri Whitley.
Luke Lennon, Vice President of Talent and School Growth
Luke Lennon has been with The Mind Trust for three years, during which he has been instrumental in developing The Mind Trust’s Indiana Charter School Fellowship and Emerging Leaders Fellowship and multiple cohorts of fellows. In this new role, Lennon will lead The Mind Trust’s Indianapolis and Indiana School Growth efforts, manage Talent investments and pipelines for Indiana, while also leading recruitment and selection across all The Mind Trust fellowships..
Before joining The Mind Trust, Lennon was the Founding Assistant Principal at KIPP Indy Legacy High, having also served as Principal at Tindley Preparatory Academy and a Building Excellent Schools Fellow before that.
Click here to learn more about Luke Lennon.
Dr. Tianay Perrault, Senior Director of Indiana Fellowships
Dr. Tianay Perrault has been with The Mind Trust for over a year, playing a pivotal role in the Indiana Charter School and Emerging Leaders Fellowships. In this new role, Dr. Perrault will now take senior responsibility for designing and leading all fellowship programming in Indianapolis and Indiana, across both the Indiana Charter School Fellowship and the Indianapolis-focused Emerging Leadership Fellowship.
Prior to her time at The Mind Trust, Dr. Perrault has two decades of experience in education spanning districts and charter schools in Atlanta, GA, San Jose, CA, and Nashville, TN, most recently serving as Elementary Principal for East End Prep in Nashville.