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Meet our
Leadership team

Dr. Nihat Guvercin

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Nihat Guvercin

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Dr. Nihat Guvercin is a highly regarded educational administrator with a strong commitment to improving public education through technology integration. He holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, a Master of Education in Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics, providing him with a unique combination of education and experience. Throughout his career, Dr. Guvercin has been recognized for his achievements, including being selected as the Administrator of the Year by the NJ Charter Schools Association in 2010. He is well-versed in the latest trends and best practices in education and has presented at many conferences on Ed-Tech and leadership.

As the CEO of iLearn Schools Inc since 2008, Dr. Guvercin has demonstrated his ability to take a visionary approach to education. He is dedicated to creating opportunities for students to succeed and believes in the power of education to transform lives. His passion for education is evident in all that he does, and he continues to strive for excellence in his field.

With his exceptional educational background, passion for improving education, and unwavering commitment to providing quality education to all students, Dr. Nihat Guvercin is a true leader in the education community. His dedication to creating opportunities for students to succeed and his belief in the power of education to transform lives make him a valuable asset to any educational organization or initiative. At iLearn Schools, we are proud to have Dr. Guvercin as our CEO. His vision and leadership drive our commitment to providing innovative education that prepares students for success in the digital age.

Dr. Gurkan Kose

Chief Academic Officer

Dr. Gurkan Kose

Chief Academic Officer (CAO)

Dr. Gurkan Kose is the Chief Academic Officer at iLearn Schools, working with K-12 teachers and administrators in New Jersey and New York. Before that, he was an AP Calculus Teacher, then Mathematics Program Director. Dr. Kose received his BS and MS in Mathematics Education from Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey. He earned his Ph.D. from Montclair State University with a dissertation on teachers' professional noticing of students’ mathematical thinking. He has taken various instructional and administrative roles in New York and New Jersey public schools since 2004. He also teaches mathematics content and methods courses to prospective teachers at Montclair State University. Dr. Kose loves making music and spending time in the nature with his family.

Yanivis Hage

Chief Talent Officer

Yanivis Hage

Chief Talent Officer

Mrs. Yanivis Hage serves as the Chief Talent Officer leading talent strategy, talent acquisition/development/management, and the Human Resources team to foster an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive and grow in support of students. Mrs. Hage began her career as a Title I Teacher in an urban charter school. She is passionate about school choice and has dedicated her career to working in charter school settings- as a Social Studies teacher, an English teacher, a founding teacher at Passaic Arts & Science Charter School, and a School Director.

Mrs. Hage earned a B.A. in American Studies from Ramapo College and a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Saint Peter's University. She also holds an Education Specialist Degree in K-12 Leadership from Grand Canyon University.

A daughter of immigrant parents from Colombia, Mrs. Hage believes in the life-changing power of education for all children. Mrs. Hage is happily married to a math charter school teacher and is the proud mother of a young son and two amazing bonus children.

Marjorie Renahan

Chief Special Programs Officer

Marjorie Renahan

Chief Special Programs Officer

Mrs. Marjorie Renahan began her educational career as a Pre-K 4 teacher. While working in Catholic schools she was a Spanish teacher, a 6th grade teacher, and a 7th grade teacher. At Bergen Arts & Science Charter School she was an ELA teacher, where she had the privilege of looping with her students from 6th grade to 9th grade. As a school administrator, she was a curriculum supervisor at the high school and middle school level, and was the founding school director of Hudson Arts & Science Charter School. She is now the Chief Special Programs & SEL Officer, where her focus is ensuring all students receive what they need to be successful academically and to be emotionally supported.

Mrs. Renahan earned her B.A. in English from Drew University, where she returned for her Master of Arts in Teaching. She also holds an Education Specialist Degree in K-12 Leadership from Grand Canyon University.

Mrs. Renahan is a first generation American who is thankful for all the opportunities her parents provided her, and she hopes she is able to provide these opportunities to other children. She is happily married to a fellow school leader and is the mother of two wonderful boys.

Fred Orcun

Chief Innovations Officer

Fred Orcun

Chief Innovations Officer

Fred Orcun, the Chief Innovation Officer at iLearn Schools, is a visionary leader at the intersection of education and technology. With a Master of Arts in Education and a focus on Educational Leadership, backed by a BS in Physics, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to iLearn Schools. Fred's educational journey began with a passion for physics and engineering, which he channeled into improving the efficiency of central office departments. He specializes in integrating technology into daily operations, utilizing improvement science principles to simplify complex tasks and enhance the organization's effectiveness.

Previously, Fred served as the Science Program Director at iLearn Schools, playing a pivotal role in fostering innovation in STEM and engineering. His dynamic approach and dedication to technology integration have significantly impacted the organization's educational landscape. Fred is renowned as the driving force behind the "Make Things Happen Festival," an initiative at iLearn Schools that inspires creativity and innovation among students. This groundbreaking event has become the motto of the Innovation Department.

In his current role as the Chief Innovation Officer since 2019, Fred not only shapes the organization's innovative approach to education but also oversees key departments. This includes the Data and Reporting Department, excelling in data analysis, the Student Information System Department, where he leads software development and manages projects, and the IT Department, ensuring the smooth operation of IT services. Fred Orcun is a forward-thinking leader in Science, Engineering and Technology; dedicated to enhancing education through innovation. His extensive background and successful track record drive iLearn Schools' mission for transformative, digital-age education.

Yunus Kul

Chief Operations Officer

Yunus Kul

Chief Operations Officer

Mr. Yunus Kul is an inspirational and highly regarded educational leader and Chief Operations Officer (COO) at iLearn Schools. He served as School Director at Bergen Arts & Science Charter School (ASCS) middle school from 2013 to 2016, where he maintained a safe, healthy, and academically charged environment for students and staff. He developed personal relationships with families and ensured constant community outreach and communication with parents. Working with the Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), Mr. Kul ensured the daily operations of the school ran smoothly and worked to achieve a collegial school atmosphere where all members could express ideas and collaborate. Mr. Kul is known for his composure and reliability and earned the nickname "Mr. Kul" or "Cool" for his ability to remain calm under pressure. He has the leadership skills and capacity to facilitate successful teamwork toward achieving meaningful lifelong learning.

As COO, Mr. Kul is responsible for ensuring the daily operations of all 15 iLearn Schools are seamless. He oversees facility expansion, development, and renovations, disciplinary measures, and student behavior. He also oversees iLearn's 21st CCLC iLearn Academy program, provides guidance to school-home visit coordinators, orchestrates exclusive and daily substitute coverage, and oversees school events. Mr. Kul works with the security team to ensure staff is well-equipped to handle adverse situations and that all iLearn Schools remain culturally healthy, informed, and safe.

Before joining iLearn, Mr. Kul served as School Director at Pioneer Academy in Wayne, NJ, and Meridian International School in Warsaw, Poland. He earned his Educational Leadership degree from the American College of Education in Indianapolis, IN.

Mustafa Coban

Chief Financial Officer

Mustafa Coban

Chief Financial Officer

Mustafa Coban is a dynamic and experienced Chief Financial Officer with over a decade of experience in financial management and strategic planning. He is a business consultant and compliance specialist who has provided fiscal and human resources consultancy services to public charter schools on financial management and compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements.

Mr. Coban is a Certified Purchasing Agent with responsibility for purchasing activities in compliance with school policy and procedures. He has a demonstrated ability to manage the day-to-day business and finance operations of a school as a School Business Administrator.

In his current position as Chief Financial Officer for iLearn Schools, he is responsible for financial planning and budgeting for five different charter schools across New Jersey and New York. He also serves as a board member for Bronx Arts and Science Charter School and as a founding member for Bronx and Passaic Arts and Science Charter School. He is responsible for all financial, budgeting, fiscal reporting, and compliance duties for the organization, and serves as purchasing agent for the organization and coordinator of policy development.

Mr. Coban holds a Master of Business Administration and Managing Global Economy from Excelsior College, School of Business & Technology in Albany, NY. He is also an NJ School Business Administrator Certificate holder and a Qualified Purchasing Agent.

Beanne DeGuzman

Senior Director, Philanthropy and Marketing

Beanne DeGuzman

Director, Philanthropy and Marketing

Beanne DeGuzman is currently the Senior Director of Philanthropy and Marketing at iLearn Schools based in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. She leads the fundraising, community engagement, marketing, communications, advocacy, alumni relations and strategic partnerships of the organization. In her prior roles, she was responsible for setting the strategic direction to grow funding by cultivating dynamic relationships with corporate funders, managing a portfolio of more than 25 corporate partners, and interfacing with more than 100 nonprofit organizations through membership and support programs like SkillsLink and BoardLink. She also provided private sector companies with a path to fulfill their corporate responsibility by planning community projects that are aligned with their goals and objectives. Mrs. DeGuzman also oversaw and served as the primary contact for civic engagement program initiatives, collaborated with community and civic leaders, managed and organized "Fifth Friday" luncheons, and provided support for the coordination and administration of programs and projects. They also envisioned, created, and carried out key initiatives such as Mini LEADS, Expert Exchange, and Bergen Amazing Race.

Mrs. DeGuzman lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to work as a cabin crew for its kingdom's flag carrier. During her six-year stint as a flight attendant, she traveled to most countries and cities in the Australian, Asian, European, African, and North American continents.

Mrs. DeGuzman received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. She received her master’s degree in administrative science with a focus on global perspectives and international studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. She also went to Wroxton University in England for a semester on international corporate communications and is now currently taking her graduate certificate in nonprofit management at Harvard University in Boston.

Zouhkra Semenova

Senior Director, HR

Zouhkra Semenova

Senior Director, HR

Ms. Semenova serves as a Senior HR Director leading the Human Resources team and working alongside the Executive Team to ensure effective implementation of HR strategies that drive employee engagement, talent acquisition, and organizational development.

Ms. Semenova earned a B. A. in Public Administration from PSLU University of Russia and a Master of Science in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Ms. Semenova began her career with iLearn Schools in a role of Grants and Accounts Receivable Specialist, which gave her deep understanding of the financial intricacies that underpin effective HR management.

Ms. Semenova is a mother of three children, and approaches her professional responsibilities with a holistic perspective, recognizing the importance of work-life balance and the impact it has on both employee well-being and organizational success.

Gregory DelRusso

Director of Grants Development

Gregory DelRusso

Director of Grants Development

With over 11 years of experience in charter schools, Greg Del Russo is an inspired school leader at iLearn Schools, currently serving as iLearn's Director of Grants Development and Executive Secretary. Before stepping into this role, Greg worked closely with ELA teachers in lesson planning, unit design, and lesson implementation and reflection as a District HS ELA Coach across all three fully-expanded iLearn high schools, and led all high school ELA PLCs and Professional Development. Serving as Chief Editor, too, Greg has crafted and revised a wide range of written works, while communicating critical information and direction between iLearn's CEO and schools as Executive Secretary. Greg has helped iLearn win and pursue several federal and state grant opportunities as Director of Grants Development, too, while guiding schools in school improvement projects through discovery work and strategic planning alongside Lumen Impact Group. Since beginning his career in education as an ELA teacher, Greg worked closely with teachers around best classroom practices as the Assistant Director of Academics at Bergen Arts & Science Charter High School for 3 years. Always striving to facilitate improvement through effective modeling and communication, Greg has also motivated student-athletes as a cross-country coach and continued to teach an AP and elective course alongside his administrative duties for several years. His teaching experience ranges from 7th, 10th, and 11th grade ELA to AP English Language & Composition, while his teaching strengths include: higher-order questioning and assessment, building morals and character through education, connecting lessons with the larger world, and providing specific and meaningful feedback for reflection and growth.

Greg earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Writing from Drew University before completing an accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Drew too. He was Drew's 41st annual Johnson Prize recipient for Shakespeare Studies. He was also a member of a Drew a cappella group. Greg has an extensive background in sports journalism, with many stories published in The Drew Acorn, Wyckoff Patch, and Morris County's Daily Record. Greg even worked in the MAT program for his alma mater, Drew, coaching aspiring teachers and giving back as much as possible to his former university. Outside of education, Greg is an avid singer and a semi-professional tournament bass angler sponsored by Riot Baits and Denali Rods.

Munibe Bahar

Senior Director, Business Operations

Munibe Bahar

Senior Director, Business Operations

Munibe Bahar serves as a Senior Director of Business Operations and joined the iLearn Schools in 2012. In her current role, she oversees the Purchasing, Payable, Receivable, and Food Service teams. In Business Operations, specializes Audit, Compliance, and Food Services. Before becoming the Senior Director, she was part of the Business Office team in various assignments. She has served school finance as Assistant SBA, Purchasing & Accounts Payable Manager, and Accounts Payable Specialist. Prior to entering the school administration field, Munibe was an Accounting Manager with an international trading company. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Master of Business Administration, and a School Business Administrator Certificate. Also, her Qualified Purchasing Agent Certificate is in process. She enjoys working in the community and serving in the education sector.

Turan Balik

Executive Director, Bronx Arts and Science Charter School

Turan Balik

Executive Director, Bronx ASCS

Mr. Turan Balik is a highly accomplished educator and administrator, currently serving as the Executive Director of The Bronx Arts and Science Charter School. With an impressive career spanning over 17 years in the field of charter schools, Turan has dedicated his expertise to cultivating a welcoming and inclusive educational environment for all stakeholders.

Mr. Balik's extensive knowledge and diverse skill set encompass various areas crucial to the success of educational institutions. His proficiency lies in educational administration, parent engagement, teaching, technology integration, social-emotional learning (specifically emotion coaching), character education, and public outreach. Turan's educational qualifications further exemplify his commitment to excellence. He holds a Master of Education degree in English as a Second Language and is a proud recipient of the American Board for Certification of Teaching Excellence.

Furthermore, Mr. Balikhas honed his expertise in character education, earning a Character Education Development Certificate from San Diego University. His dedication to implementing comprehensive educational programs is evident through his acquisition of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Design Certificate at Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Charter School. Turan played an instrumental role in initiating and successfully implementing school-wide programs such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Character Education Program, and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.

Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Balik has gained invaluable experience teaching students across various grade levels, ranging from Kindergarten to 8th grade. His roles have encompassed leadership positions such as 4th/5th-grade Lead Teacher, Physical Education instructor, Character Education Teacher, and MYP Design & Technology Teacher. Turan's expertise in English as a Second Language (ESL) education further enhances his ability to cater to the diverse needs of students.

As the Executive Director of The Bronx Arts and Science Charter School, Mr. Balik continues to exemplify exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to educational excellence. His visionary approach and extensive experience empower him to drive positive change, ensuring the school's continued success in providing a well-rounded education to its students.
We are currently working with a curriculum mapping company to host all K-12 curricula. This project will be finalized by Fall, 2023.
In the meantime, if you have any specific questions about our curricula, please reach out to your school administration​