The Rozie Lee Group Team
Our team of consultants have a more than 75 years combined experience in School improvement, financial services and student belonging.
Biography
Dr. Douglas L Maclin, EdD, MBA, MS is an accomplished educational leader with nearly 30 years of experience in Chicago Public Schools, including 24 years as a high school principal. Throughout his career, he has led innovative school improvement efforts focused on strengthening attendance, academic performance, and student behavior. Under his leadership, schools implemented these strategies achieved significant gains in attendance, reduction in disciplinary incidents, and measurable academic improvements. Dr. Maclin now advises schools and districts on building systems that improve school culture and stunned outcomes.
29 years
CPS leadership
24 years
High school principal
$75M+
Funds raised
CTE
Pathways expansion
* PBS (2022) - CVS school year, curriculum, and leadership
* Chicago Vocational School (2022) - Importance of school initiatives and programs
* Chicago Reporter (2012) - The Turnaround Test
* Chicago Reporter (2005) - School of the Arts Finding a Way
Media Coverage
Leadership Highlights
* Principal Development Coach for Chicago Public Schools leaders
* Special Advisor to the Superintendent - Proviso Township Hight Schools
* Board Member - La Casa Norte
* Marquis Who's Who in America inductee as one of the country's Top Educators (2025)
* City of Chicago's Kathy Osterman Award (2022)
*Chicago Public Schools Principal Leadership Excellence - Principal of the Year (2022)
* CVS Alumni Association for Leadership and service to student community (2025)
Awards & Recognitions
Biography
Manuel Hernández-Nuñez, MPP is a school culture and belonging strategist specializing in creating inclusive environments that support LGBTQ+ and newly arrived immigrant students. With over a decade of experience across education, nonprofit, and policy spaces, he brings a comprehensive approach to strengthening school climate, student engagement, and sense of belonging.
Manuel began his career as a math educator in Holyoke Public Schools in Massachusetts, later advancing into leadership roles focused on student development, including serving as Associate Director of Enrichment and Extended Learning with a focus on social-emotional learning. His work has centered on designing programs and systems that support the holistic development of students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.
In addition to his work in schools, Manuel has partnered with community-based organizations and worked with elected officials at the local, state, and national levels to advance policies that create safer, more inclusive environments for students and families. As a consultant, he advises schools and organizations on building cultures of belonging that improve student outcomes and strengthen community trust.
Biography
Patricia Wetherspoon is an experienced school finance and operations leader with more than 36 years of service in Chicago Public Schools, including over 11 years as an Operations Manager. Throughout her career, she has held key roles including School Clerk, Business Manager, and Premium Financial Specialist, where she developed deep expertise in school budgeting, financial oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Ms. Wetherspoon is recognized for leading budgeting processes that ensure both fiscal responsibility and strategic alignment with school priorities. As a Premium Financial Specialist, she achieved 100% audit-ready compliance across all assigned schools while also training principals and business managers on financial systems, internal controls, and effective resource management.
Her work has consistently focused on strengthening financial operations to better support school improvement efforts. She has also served as a liaison between district leadership and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), ensuring schools remain compliant while maximizing available resources.
At Rozie Lee Educational and Economic Advancement Group, she advises schools on aligning budgets with improvement plans to drive sustainable, student-centered outcomes.