Lindsay Malanga
Executive Director of the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School
Lindsay Malanga is a New York City educator with over twenty years of experience in public education. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, where she works to improve student outcomes while addressing broader community needs in the South Bronx.
Early Steps in Education
Lindsay Malanga began her career as a HEAD START teacher at the Montclair Child Development Center in New Jersey. This early role introduced her to the challenges and opportunities of early childhood education, setting the stage for her long-term focus on equity and access.
She later transitioned to the New York City public school system in 2001, taking a position at an elementary school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The school was under state review due to its performance, and this experience influenced her decision to pursue educational leadership to create system-wide improvements.
Academic Foundation and Graduate Study
As the first member of her family to attend college, Lindsay Malanga graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University. She earned the Founder’s Day Award, which recognized her academic performance among the top graduates of her class.
Motivated to expand her impact beyond the classroom, she earned a Master’s degree in School Leadership from Harvard University in 2004. Her graduate training focused on leadership development, school systems, and effective practices for managing change in educational settings.
Transformational School Leadership
In 2011, she took on the role of Principal at a Harlem charter school that had been struggling for years. In just one year, she led the school to notable academic gains—rising from the 3rd percentile to the 96th percentile on the Chancellor’s Report Card. The school ranked first in English Language Arts growth and fourth in Math in New York State under her leadership. She managed a staff of 40 and supported 270 students, fostering an environment centered on student growth and staff collaboration.
Roles Across the Charter Sector
Following that success, Lindsay Malanga held leadership roles across several charter networks in New York City. She worked as a teacher, Dean of Students, and School Director and eventually served as Superintendent for a network of eighteen schools operating across four states. In these roles, she was responsible for school oversight, instructional strategy, and leadership support.
She later became Head of School at a Harlem-based language-focused charter school and served as Managing Director at a Brooklyn charter network. Her responsibilities in these roles included hiring, teacher development, school operations, and student support services.
Executive Leadership and Organizational Impact
In 2021, Lindsay Malanga became Executive Director of a charter network serving approximately 1,000 students, 15% of whom were on the Autism spectrum. She oversaw all aspects of the organization, including finance, operations, instruction, human resources, and services for special populations. With a $32 million budget, she worked to ensure the continuity of services during a time of recovery and transition for schools.
Now, in her role at the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, she focuses on rebuilding school culture, enhancing academic programs, and guiding the school through a period of renewal. She manages curriculum planning, principal supervision, and professional development. Under her leadership, the school has improved in student achievement, staff retention, and enrollment efforts.
Life Beyond Education
Outside of her professional work, Lindsay Malanga lives in East Harlem and is a mother to two teenage sons. She encourages them to pursue higher education and build meaningful futures. In her time, she writes poetry, performs improv, and participates in storytelling events, using these creative outlets to reflect and recharge.
Lindsay Malanga brings a grounded and student-centered approach to her leadership. Her career reflects a consistent commitment to school improvement and educational access. Through each role, she has focused on building systems that serve both students and educators. Lindsay Malanga remains a steadfast advocate for public education and community-driven school success.
Early Steps in Education
Lindsay Malanga began her career as a HEAD START teacher at the Montclair Child Development Center in New Jersey. This early role introduced her to the challenges and opportunities of early childhood education, setting the stage for her long-term focus on equity and access.
She later transitioned to the New York City public school system in 2001, taking a position at an elementary school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The school was under state review due to its performance, and this experience influenced her decision to pursue educational leadership to create system-wide improvements.
Academic Foundation and Graduate Study
As the first member of her family to attend college, Lindsay Malanga graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University. She earned the Founder’s Day Award, which recognized her academic performance among the top graduates of her class.
Motivated to expand her impact beyond the classroom, she earned a Master’s degree in School Leadership from Harvard University in 2004. Her graduate training focused on leadership development, school systems, and effective practices for managing change in educational settings.
Transformational School Leadership
In 2011, she took on the role of Principal at a Harlem charter school that had been struggling for years. In just one year, she led the school to notable academic gains—rising from the 3rd percentile to the 96th percentile on the Chancellor’s Report Card. The school ranked first in English Language Arts growth and fourth in Math in New York State under her leadership. She managed a staff of 40 and supported 270 students, fostering an environment centered on student growth and staff collaboration.
Roles Across the Charter Sector
Following that success, Lindsay Malanga held leadership roles across several charter networks in New York City. She worked as a teacher, Dean of Students, and School Director and eventually served as Superintendent for a network of eighteen schools operating across four states. In these roles, she was responsible for school oversight, instructional strategy, and leadership support.
She later became Head of School at a Harlem-based language-focused charter school and served as Managing Director at a Brooklyn charter network. Her responsibilities in these roles included hiring, teacher development, school operations, and student support services.
Executive Leadership and Organizational Impact
In 2021, Lindsay Malanga became Executive Director of a charter network serving approximately 1,000 students, 15% of whom were on the Autism spectrum. She oversaw all aspects of the organization, including finance, operations, instruction, human resources, and services for special populations. With a $32 million budget, she worked to ensure the continuity of services during a time of recovery and transition for schools.
Now, in her role at the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, she focuses on rebuilding school culture, enhancing academic programs, and guiding the school through a period of renewal. She manages curriculum planning, principal supervision, and professional development. Under her leadership, the school has improved in student achievement, staff retention, and enrollment efforts.
Life Beyond Education
Outside of her professional work, Lindsay Malanga lives in East Harlem and is a mother to two teenage sons. She encourages them to pursue higher education and build meaningful futures. In her time, she writes poetry, performs improv, and participates in storytelling events, using these creative outlets to reflect and recharge.
Lindsay Malanga brings a grounded and student-centered approach to her leadership. Her career reflects a consistent commitment to school improvement and educational access. Through each role, she has focused on building systems that serve both students and educators. Lindsay Malanga remains a steadfast advocate for public education and community-driven school success.
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