Katie Roy, Founder of Organization, Leaving Effective Nov. 7; Lisa Hammersley Named New Executive Director

It is with bittersweet emotions that we announce our founder and executive director, Katie Roy, will be leaving the School and State Finance Project effective November 7.

Since founding the School and State Finance Project in 2015, Katie has worked tirelessly to improve equitable education funding for Connecticut’s public school students and develop fair solutions for some of the state’s toughest fiscal challenges. In the process, she has overseen the growth of our organization, from three staff members to 13, and the expansion of our mission.

To say Katie’s leadership, mentorship, determination, and vision will be deeply missed would be an understatement, but we are excited for her and her family as she begins the next chapter of her career and departs our organization to serve as general counsel for TSNE MissionWorks in Boston.

“Starting the School and State Finance Project has been the greatest privilege of my life,” Katie said. “I will miss each member of this talented, devoted staff, but I truly believe it is time for me to move on and for the organization to begin the next chapter of its life. I know I am leaving the organization in the hands of an incredible group of people who will take it further than I ever could have dreamed.”

We are proud to announce that succeeding Katie as executive director for the School and State Finance Project will be Lisa Hammersley, who has served as the organization’s deputy executive director since December 2018.

A veteran Connecticut budget and policy advisor with more than a decade of experience, Lisa is highly-respected throughout the executive and legislative branches, and across the political spectrum, for her knowledge and leadership in state budget analysis, policymaking, and legislative affairs.

“Working for the School and State Finance Project has been a joy and a privilege, and I am honored to lead the organization and its outstanding team into the future,” Lisa said. “I am forever grateful for Katie’s guidance and leadership, and for her trust and confidence in me to carry on the high-quality, independent, and nonpartisan work the School and State Finance Project is known for.”

Before joining the School and State Finance Project, Lisa served as a senior staff member for the Republican Caucus of the Connecticut State Senate for over eight years, including four years overseeing all of the Caucus’ budget and policy work as its budget director and chief legislative analyst. Lisa also previously worked for Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management, where she served as a budget specialist and analyst.