The Faces of Leona
Carmen Willingham, PreK-12 school leader
Carmen Willingham has been with The Leona Group for eight years, serving in a wide array of leadership roles. Prior to joining Highland Park Renaissance Academy as school leader in 2012, Ms. Willingham worked at a Leona Group sister school, Academy for Business & Technology in Melvindale, as dean of students and as assistant school leader. Ms. Willingham is a Detroit-native, and enjoys spending her free time singing, reading, shopping, traveling and spending time with her children. She received her B.A. in English from Michigan State University, and received her elementary education teaching certificate as well as her M.A. in education administration and her K-12 administrator certificate from the University of Detroit Mercy. She is delighted to work in Highland Park, getting to know the community and working with so many of the great students and their families. If you haven't met Ms. Willingham, be sure to come by and say hi!
Georgia Rodgers • Executive Vice President of Midwest Operations
Georgia Rodgers serves as executive vice president for The Leona Group’s Midwest operations. This position is directly responsible for ensuring strong leadership and execution of The Leona Group’s vision and mission and the supporting operational plans.
In her role, Ms. Rodgers manages effective coordination and communication among The Leona Group’s schools, corporate office, regional leadership team and other high priority stakeholders.
Prior to joining The Leona Group’s corporate team, Ms. Rodgers was school leader at Allen Academy
in Detroit and has been with the organization since 2003. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from University of Detroit Mercy.
Georgia Rodgers serves as executive vice president for The Leona Group’s Midwest operations. This position is directly responsible for ensuring strong leadership and execution of The Leona Group’s vision and mission and the supporting operational plans.
In her role, Ms. Rodgers manages effective coordination and communication among The Leona Group’s schools, corporate office, regional leadership team and other high priority stakeholders.
Prior to joining The Leona Group’s corporate team, Ms. Rodgers was school leader at Allen Academy
in Detroit and has been with the organization since 2003. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from University of Detroit Mercy.
Dr. William Coats, CEO
William (Bill) Coats, Ph.D., has worked to improve public education throughout his career as a school superintendent, university professor, foundation director and now Chief Executive Officer of The Leona Group, L.L.C.
As superintendent of public school districts across the nation, he worked within the system to allow parents freedom and choice within the schools, empower teachers and staff, and promote the idea that all children can learn. Bill has worked with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as coordinator for youth programs, and as public schools superintendent in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Anchorage, Alaska; Grosse Pointe, Michigan; and Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was chairman of the Department of Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University and served as full professor in the College of Education at the University of Michigan.
Bill holds a master's degree in educational psychology, and a doctorate in research design and data analysis in education from the University of Michigan. He has served as a consultant for educational systems and businesses and has published extensively in journals, trade publications and newspapers.
As superintendent of public school districts across the nation, he worked within the system to allow parents freedom and choice within the schools, empower teachers and staff, and promote the idea that all children can learn. Bill has worked with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as coordinator for youth programs, and as public schools superintendent in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Anchorage, Alaska; Grosse Pointe, Michigan; and Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was chairman of the Department of Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University and served as full professor in the College of Education at the University of Michigan.
Bill holds a master's degree in educational psychology, and a doctorate in research design and data analysis in education from the University of Michigan. He has served as a consultant for educational systems and businesses and has published extensively in journals, trade publications and newspapers.
