Following a planned transition led by Founder Abby Williams, United to Learn is poised to deepen its impact and strengthen partnerships across Dallas ISD Title I elementary schools.
United to Learn is proud to announce a meaningful leadership transition. Founder and CEO Abigail (Abby) Williams will step out of her executive role, passing the baton to education leader Timothy (Tim) Hise, who will serve as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer.
A Planned Transition
This transition comes as United to Learn celebrates a major milestone: under Abby’s leadership, the organization reached its long-standing goal of offering programs and resources to all Dallas ISD Title I elementary schools. With this accomplishment, Abby began working closely with the Board of Directors and the Committee on Leadership Transition on a vision for the next phase—one in which United to Learn launches from the leadership of its founder to stand as a fully mature, sustainable institution.
“As this milestone approached, I knew the best way to serve our mission was to prepare U2L to thrive beyond my leadership,” said Williams. “Much like a child growing into adulthood, an organization reaches a moment when it must take flight to fulfill its full potential.”
Board Chair Ben Leal affirmed this moment as a sign of strength: “Abby’s passion, courage, and commitment have built an extraordinary foundation. Her leadership has not only shaped a powerful movement for educational equity but also created the conditions for a strong and sustainable future.”
Abby’s Legacy of Impact
Since founding U2L, Abby has united schools, businesses, and community members in strategic collaboration. This year, United to Learn’s partnerships include more than 120 elementary schools that serve more than 60,000+ students.
Her leadership has delivered:
- Targeted literacy interventions that accelerate reading growth.
- Professional development and culture-building for educators.
- Campus improvements and community connections that strengthen school environments.
These investments are making measurable differences. In Spring 2025, U2L schools saw a 9.5-point increase in 3rd graders meeting grade-level expectations, and an 18-point gain for the same cohort one year later—outpacing district peers. You can read more about these and more positive outcomes in our blog, Driving Transformation and Achievement in Dallas Schools.
Welcoming Tim Hise
Incoming CEO Tim Hise brings more than two decades of experience as an educator, school leader, and nonprofit executive. He began his career as a teacher and quickly rose to become a principal, leading his school to significant gains in student achievement and earning recognition for building a strong campus culture.
As a district leader, Tim oversaw instructional strategy and educator development, designing programs that improved literacy outcomes and strengthened teacher retention. Most recently, as Chief Consulting Officer at TNTP, a nationally focused education nonprofit working to improve student outcomes, he guided school systems nationwide in transforming instructional practice, fostering equity, and improving student outcomes—impacting hundreds of thousands of students.
Known for his collaborative leadership style, data-driven decision-making, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child, Tim is well-positioned to guide United to Learn into its next chapter.
“My vision is to deepen U2L’s role as the most trusted community-driven partner to Dallas ISD elementary schools,” says Hise. “I look forward to continuing our trajectory toward becoming the most effective public-private education partnership model in the country, ultimately delivering on our promise to help create life-changing outcomes for Dallas ISD students.”
A Bright Future Ahead
With Abby’s foundation and Tim’s leadership, United to Learn is positioned to:
- Expand program impact across literacy, educator support, and school culture.
- Ensure organizational sustainability for decades to come.
- Strengthen community leadership to unlock every learner’s potential.
Abby remains a passionate advocate for U2L’s mission and will continue to champion the organization in its next chapter as an Advisory Council member. This planned, values-driven transition reflects an organization that is thriving—and ready for even greater impact.
Be part of this exciting new chapter! Welcome Tim, celebrate Abby’s legacy, and stay connected to what’s next for United to Learn. Follow us on social media @unitedtolearn and subscribe to our email updates.