About

About Lindsay Malanga

Lindsay Malanga is a New York City educator with over two decades of experience in public education. Malanga is currently the Executive Director of the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, an institution dedicated to providing a challenging educational experience to develop students’ abilities and address the health and economic disparities in the South Bronx Community. Lindsay obtained her Master of Education in School Leadership from Harvard University, and she has been purposeful in ensuring that she gained hands-on classroom experience in a multitude of educational settings.

From teaching at a HEAD START at the Montclair Child Development Center in New Jersey, her birth state, to being pivotal in turning around Harlem Prep (formerly Harlem Village Academies Charter School) to rise from an under-performing NYC school to #1 in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency growth and #4 in Math. As Principal, Malanga led a staff of 40 that served 270 scholars, advancing the school from the 3rd percentile on the Chancellor’s Report Card to the 96th percentile among New York City schools in under one year. Lindsay’s unwavering dedication and commitment to her students’ futures, evident in her fostering of a positive and inclusive learning environment, are truly inspiring.

Malanga is not just an educator but also an expert in educational and institutional change management. Her multiple roles in the public sector include overseeing areas such as operations, special populations, human resources, finance, and talent. As Executive Director of Neighborhood Charter Schools, Ms. Malanga led the school in the post-pandemic Harlem and Bronx school systems. Her dedication and expertise in this area make her a trusted figure in the education sector. 

Education and Early Career

Lindsay Malanga’s early education experience was marked by excellent teachers who instilled in her a passion for learning and inspired her to consider a career in education. She is proud to be the first person in her family to attend university, graduating Magna Cum Laude from New York University. She was also the recipient of the Founder’s Day Award, a recognition for graduating seniors who have met high GPA criteria, placing them among the top-ranking Baccalaureate candidates. 

Malanga began her career as a HEAD START teacher in New Jersey and subsequently became an elementary school teacher for the NYC DOE in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Still, Lindsay desired to expand her reach and do more to improve schools for students in underserved communities. Malanga decided to continue her education and went on to graduate from Harvard University.

Malanga made a critical career move in 2004 and pivoted into charter schools, serving in distinct roles across New York City. She has served as a School Director and Dean of Students at Bronx Charter School for Children and as Superintendent for Democracy Prep Public Schools, where she oversaw eighteen schools across four states. She then took on the role of Head of School for the Harlem Hebrew Language Academy Charter School, followed by a stint as Managing Director for Explore Schools, a network of public charter schools.

Executive Director in Education

In 2021, Malanga’s hard-won success as an educator paid off, and she became the Executive Director of Neighborhood Charter Schools, where she was responsible for creating a vision and direction for a network of schools that served nearly 1,000 students with a $32 million budget. Lindsay was responsible for HR and talent management, finance, operations, and implementing updated technology to provide a more engaging and personalized learning experience.  

Currently, Lindsay Malanga serves as the Executive Director of the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School. In this role, she is tasked with leading the turnaround of the school’s culture, systems, and academics, in addition to supervising the Principals and directing the curriculum. She has been noted for her design and implementation of initiatives that have benefited the school’s talent recruitment, student enrollment, and teacher development. Under her leadership, the school has seen significant improvements in student performance and a more inclusive and engaging learning environment.

Personal Life

Outside of her professional life, Lindsay Malanga is a resident of East Harlem and the proud mother of two teenage boys, whom she is confident will continue to change the family narrative by pursuing success in higher education and professional careers. She enjoys writing, performing improv, and storytelling, as well as being passionate about poetry. These personal interests give a glimpse into the multifaceted personality of this dedicated educator.