SOCNN Welcomes Kristen McNeill

Kristen McNeill, Ed.D. Joins Strengthen our Community

Reno, Nev. – Kristen M. McNeill, Ed.D., has joined the team of Strengthen our Community (SoC), serving as a strategic advisor on K-12 education to the nonprofit organization and as the primary liaison between SoC and the Washoe County School District’s board and leadership.

Dr. McNeill served as superintendent of schools for the Washoe County School District (WCSD) between 2020 and 2022, and again as interim superintendent between 2023 and 2024. She brings more than 20 years of K-12 education leadership experience to her work with SoC.

Dr. McNeill joins SoC at a time when the organization is focused on reducing chronic absenteeism, expanding access to Pre-Kindergarten and childcare, strengthening student and family support, and expanding physical and mental health resources for youth. SoC builds collaborative teams to address these issues by aligning partners around a community plan with measurable outcomes.

Katy Simon Holland, Dr. McNeill’s predecessor, is retiring and SoC Executive Director Mike Kazmierski indicated that “the WCSD liaison and strategic advisor role has been critical to SoC’s efforts over the past few years.” Kazmierski stressed that “SoC’s successes are due in large part to Katy’s passion for the students in WCSD and her innovative solutions to the complex challenges they face.”

Additionally, Kazmierski said, “Katy brought tremendous insights to SoC with her deep knowledge of the district and her longstanding relationships with WCSD’s board and leadership. We are grateful for her service to SoC and to the community and wish her the very best in retirement.”

Said Kazmierski, “SoC is excited to welcome Dr. McNeill to the team. Her extensive experience at WCSD and longstanding relationships throughout the community are critical to the organization’s continued success. While it is nearly impossible to find someone as talented and passionate as Katy Simon Holland to guide SoC’s efforts going forward, Dr. McNeill is the perfect candidate as we work to address the region’s most urgent family and education priorities.”

About SoC:

SoC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) committed to developing cooperative, caring solutions to regional needs, with a special emphasis on education, families, good governance, and environmental sustainability.