LAS VEGAS, NEV. (May 4, 2026) – Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS of Nevada), among the largest affiliates of the nation’s leading evidence-based dropout prevention nonprofit organization, today announced a planned leadership transition effective July 13, 2026. After nearly a decade of transformative leadership, CEO and state director Tami Hance-Lehr will retire. Succeeding her, Alex Bybee — a familiar face within the organization after seven years — has been named the next CEO and state director. Bybee’s deep familiarity with CIS of Nevada’s mission, first as a full-time team member and later as a strategic affairs consultant, positions him to sustain the organization’s momentum and advance its priorities.
Hance-Lehr’s tenure marks a period of unprecedented growth and impact for the nonprofit. Under her leadership, CIS of Nevada has become one of Nevada’s most far-reaching nonprofits, now in 117 schools across Nevada, and serving nearly 100,000 students.
“Tami’s leadership, not only across Nevada, but throughout the Communities In Schools national network is marked with incredible success,” said Raymond Specht, board chair of CIS of Nevada. “What she has demonstrated when student supports are prioritized, along with her vision to strengthen partnerships, advance policy and expand access to wraparound evidence-based support is leaving a legacy for the over two-decade strong organization.”
During her tenure, Hance-Lehr led several landmark initiatives and achievements with her team, including:
- Leading the Connecting Kids in Nevada Family Support Center during the pandemic, mobilizing more than 150 staff, fielding over 45,000 calls, and connecting nearly 18,000 families to reliable internet access and devices.
- Advancing the passage of the bipartisan Senate Bill SB189, Keeping Kids in Schools Act, securing critical state funding for CIS’ evidence-based Integrated Student Supports model.
- Securing an $11.8 million federal Full-Service Community Schools grant, positioning CIS of Nevada as the only Nevada-based recipient among 30 national awardees and expanding integrated, school-based supports across multiple districts through strong community partnerships.
- Achieving a record-breaking 97 percent graduation rate for case-managed students statewide for two consecutive school years, in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
- Cultivating 120-plus partner agencies, state legislators, and national collaborators—all united under the shared purpose of bringing “community into the schools” while keenly understanding the unique challenges students face.
- Expanding CIS of Nevada’s role in national CIS initiatives, including participation in CIS’ “Being Present Matters” campaign addressing chronic absenteeism.
- Helping lay the groundwork for the nation’s first CIS Alumni Center within the Shaquille O’Neal Youth Complex expected to open in 2027, in partnership with the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada.
“This organization has always been about relationships and belief in students — and that will never change. Alex has been a trusted partner in building what CIS of Nevada has become, and I have every confidence he will take it even further. It has been the honor of my career to serve alongside this team, and I will always be, all in.” said Tami Hance-Lehr.
“Tami has built an organization that is deeply rooted in community and driven by a powerful vision to empower students,” said Punam Mathur, vice chair for CIS of Nevada. “Because of her leadership, the organization is stronger, more connected and well-positioned in continuing to do whatever it takes for students.”
Bybee brings deep institutional knowledge and a proven track record of securing resources and driving impact for Nevada’s public schools. During his tenure as chief strategy officer at CIS of Nevada, he helped secure $25 million across local, state and federal sources, tripling the organization’s budget and expanding evidence-based supports to more high-needs schools. He has built bipartisan coalitions to advance policy across the state. Prior to CIS, Bybee served as Nevada state director for Teach Plus and senior director of development and community relations for The Public Education Foundation, and earlier in his career led the successful WC-1 campaign that unlocked $3 billion in school infrastructure funding for Washoe County schools.
Bybee returns to CIS of Nevada after founding and leading Bybee Co., a consulting practice focused on cross-sector strategies for social impact. Through that work — advising organizations across Nevada’s civic, philanthropic and public sectors — he sharpened his expertise in public-private partnerships and deepened the statewide relationships he will now bring to bear as CEO and state director.
Bybee is known for strong, trust-based partnerships with staff, school districts, funders, elected officials and community partners statewide — and for a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges within Nevada’s education landscape.
“At CIS, relationships and trust are paramount,” Specht added. “By choosing Alex as our next CEO and state director, we are reinforcing a culture of genuine leadership and positioning the organization for continued success.”
“Tami has set an extraordinary standard, and I don’t take lightly the responsibility of following her leadership. CIS of Nevada’s work is as important as ever, and I am committed to building on the foundation she and this team have created — deepening our relationships, expanding our reach and doing whatever it takes for students,” said Alex Bybee, incoming CEO and state director of CIS of Nevada.
As CIS of Nevada looks ahead, the organization remains committed to its mission of surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
About Communities In Schools of Nevada
Communities In Schools (CIS) of Nevada places full-time, professionally trained site coordinators in 117 Title I and high-needs schools to support nearly 100,000 K-12 students. By leveraging a statewide network of more than 120 community nonprofits and partners, CIS brings essential community resources directly into schools to remove barriers to student success. Whether providing access to healthcare, professional counseling, or basic necessities like food and housing, CIS closes the opportunity gaps students face daily. Recent Harvard research confirms that CIS’ relationship-driven approach leads to higher test scores, increased college attendance, and higher adult earnings. In the 2024-2025 school year, CIS case-managed seniors in Nevada achieved a 97 percent graduation rate. Learn more at cisnevada.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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