Lisa Karmacharya
- When she started, the Board oversaw four charter schools with a fifth planning to open. Today, MCSAB’s portfolio has more than doubled in both the number of schools and students served.
Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board (MCSAB) Executive Director Dr. Lisa Karmacharya is retiring from her post, effective January 1, 2027, following nearly eight years of service to Mississippi’s public charter schools.
MCSAB made the announcement on Tuesday, saying additional information regarding the leadership transition will be announced by the Board at a later date.
Karmacharya joined MCSAB as Executive Director in February 2019. When she started, the Board oversaw four charter schools with a fifth planning to open. Today, MCSAB’s portfolio has more than doubled in both the number of schools and students served.
The outgoing executive director is credited with helping the organization strengthen its performance frameworks, policies and authorizing practices while expanding technical assistance and resources available to its charter schools.
During her tenure, Karmacharya and the Board developed a new Charter School Financial Handbook, increased access to national training opportunities, and established additional resources for Board members, schools and the public.
Notably, in 2025, the Mississippi Legislature’s Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) issued no recommendations to the Board for improvement, the first such endorsement of their efforts since 2017. MCSAB’s performance frameworks, policies and established practices have also received positive review from the National Charter School Institute and Basis Policy Research.
“Dr. Karmacharya’s leadership has helped shape MCSAB into the organization it is today. The Board is grateful for her years of dedicated public service and for the systems, standards and foundation she leaves in place for the future,” said MCSAB Board Chair Candace Hunt.
