Meet our new executive director
Dr. Brittany Lopes
“It’s an honor to take the helm, guiding our fantastic team, engaging our supporters, and helping students walk in faith toward their bright futures.”
Dr. Brittany Lopes, Executive Director
Ed. D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Richmond
B.A. in History & Secondary Education, Randolph-Macon College
From the Rise Board
We’re delighted to announce that Dr. Brittany Lopes has been named Executive Director (and Head of School) for Rise Richmond. In this capacity, she will be serving as the leader for Rise Richmond, inclusive of Rise Academy. Dr. Lopes is an extraordinary educational leader with the experience, skills, and acumen to strengthen every aspect of Rise.
The search for our new leader was led by Fahrenheit Advisors, which sourced over 100 candidates from the leadership ranks of Richmond and central Virginia. Across more than four months and many stages, Dr. Lopes stood out as the clear person to lead Rise into this next chapter of growth and expansion.
Dr. Lopes has already served in leadership at Rise in her role as Rise Academy’s principal since July of 2023. In her new capacity as Executive Director, Dr. Lopes’ leadership responsibilities will expand to include fundraising to sustain and grow the financial strength of Rise, strategic planning to ensure Rise is at the forefront of best practices in education and youth development, representing Rise from a community engagement perspective, and inviting more students and families to join Rise Academy.
In the weeks ahead, Dr. Lopes and the entire Rise team will continue working together to support students in all the ways that make Rise special. We look forward to the bright futures God has planned for the students of our community.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to build upon a longstanding legacy of care and support for children in the East End of Richmond. With our renewed focus on high-quality educational experiences and spiritual formation for students from K–12th grade, it’s an honor to take the helm, guiding our fantastic team, engaging our supporters, and helping students walk in faith toward their bright futures. The students and families mean so much to me. I’ve never loved a school more than I love Rise.”
Dr. Brittany Lopes, Executive Director