Skip To Main Content
Gwinnett County Public Schools

Gwinnett BOE approves school and district leaders

At its regularly scheduled business meeting on December 15, 2022, the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) approved the appointment of a new principal at Shiloh Elementary School as well as a new Chief Financial Officer and a new Executive Director of Leadership Development.

  • Ms. Jennifer L. Mercedes has been named the new Principal at Shiloh Elementary. Ms. Mercedes currently serves as Assistant Principal at Shiloh Elementary. She replaces Thomas Trippany who is retiring.
  • Ms. Masana L. Mailliard has been named the new Chief Financial Officer. She replaces Joe Heffron who is retiring.
  • Dr. Chandra Walker has been named Executive Director of Leadership Development. She replaces Dr. Kendra Washington-Bass who is no longer with the district.

Jennifer L. Mercedes, Shiloh Elementary School:

GCPS Employment:Jennifer Mercedes

2018-Present        Assistant Principal, Shiloh Elementary School

2014-2018            ESOL/EIP Lead Teacher, Baggett Elementary School

2009-2009            Kinder Camp Director, Hopkins Elementary School

Other Employment:

2003-2004            Assistant Director, Alison Bixby Stone School

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education—University of Georgia

Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Policy—University of Georgia

Ms. Mercedes is a member of the 2023 Quality Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 16, and a graduate of the 2018 Quality Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, Cohort 9.

Masana L. Mailliard, Chief Financial Officer
Masana Mailliard
Employment:

2020-Present        Deputy Chief Financial Officer, DeKalb County School District

2017-2020            Budget Manager III, DeKalb County School District

2011-2017            Assistant Director of Audits, DeKalb County School District

2009-2011            Fiscal Management Compliance Specialists, Federal Programs and ARRA, Georgia Department of Education

2006-2008            Financial Analyst and Internal Auditor, City of Gainesville, Florida

2004-2006            Accountant III, School Board of Broward County, Florida                                                                                    

1994-2004            Confidential Grant Accounting/Audit Specialist, School Board of Broward Country
 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management—University of Phoenix

Dr. Chandra Y. Walker, Executive Director of Leadership DevelopmentDr. Chandra Walker

GCPS Employment:

2013-Present       Director, Leadership Development, Gwinnett County Public Schools

2010-2013            Principal, Simonton Elementary School

2006-2010            Assistant Principal, Stripling Elementary School

2003-2006            School Counselor, Norcross Elementary School

Other Employment:

2001-2003            School Counselor, Park Street Elementary School, Marietta City Schools

1997-2001            Teacher, Cook Elementary School & Humphries Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education—Florida A&M University

Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling—State University of West Georgia

Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership—Clark Atlanta University

Dr. Walker is a graduate of the 2009 Quality Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 3.