Founder and Principal Advisor
Dr. Cristina Melendez
Strategy informed by how education systems actually work.
Dr. Cristina Melendez spent more than two decades working across classrooms, schools, government and large education systems, including serving as Deputy Chancellor of New York City Public Schools.
Today, she advises education companies and organizations on the strategy surrounding adoption: positioning, buyers, implementation, evidence, stakeholders and scale.
“I help leaders see the system around the problem, not just the problem in front of them.”
Beyond Limits works primarily with EdTech and education companies entering, repositioning or scaling in K–12. Cristina also advises nonprofits, philanthropic funders and public agencies; get in touch to discuss your work.
Credentials
- Former Deputy ChancellorNew York City Public Schools
- Ed.D., Educational LeadershipUniversity of Pennsylvania
- M.A., Organizational LeadershipColumbia University, Teachers College
- M.A., Bilingual/Bicultural EducationColumbia University, Teachers College
- B.S.Cornell University
Areas of expertise
- Strategic planning
- Education strategy
- Instructional program strategy
- Organizational change
- Implementation
- Family and community engagement
- Partnership strategy
- Public-private partnerships
- Policy and systems strategy
- Executive advisory