Dilek Ulukaya-Ak, Managing Director of School Finance and Operations
Dilek Ulukaya-Ak serves as Managing Director of School Finance and Operations. In this role, she leads the Institute’s fiscal compliance efforts, ensuring schools adhere to rigorous financial reporting standards, facilities-related compliance, and facility financing regulations. With a deep commitment to educational excellence, Dilek drives strategic priorities and leads digital transformation efforts to enhance financial reporting and operational transparency. Through the development of robust fiscal monitoring programs, Dilek supports schools from the application phase to the pre-opening, renewal, and, when necessary, closure.
Dilek strives to build strong partnerships across the statewide and national charter school sector, and works closely with regulatory bodies, educational institutions, and financial service providers to uphold the highest standards of financial stewardship and operational excellence.
Before joining the Institute, Dilek served as Executive Director at the Chobani Foundation, where she led all operational and financial matters, oversaw the development of educational programs, and cultivated strategic nonprofit partnerships. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at Albany and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the City University of New York.
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Christopher Dutkiewicz, School Finance Analyst
Christopher Dutkiewicz is a School Finance Analyst for the Institute. In this role, Chris is responsible for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of fiscal performance of charter schools, including initial analysis of school financial data and conducting initial stages of financial reviews of proposed applications for new charter schools, charter renewals, and revisions.
Prior to joining the Institute, Chris served as the Project Staff Assistant for the SUNY Professional Development Program Finance Department.
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Matt Beditz, School Finance Analyst
Matt Beditz is a School Finance Analyst for the Institute. Matt is responsible for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of fiscal performance of charter schools, including initial analysis of school financial data and conducting initial stages of financial reviews of proposed applications for new charter schools, charter renewals, and revisions. He attended Siena College, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accounting.