OneGoal Announces the Appointment of Ron Sonenthal as National Board Chair
Business leader and education advocate to guide OneGoal’s national board in expanding postsecondary opportunities for students.
CHICAGO, October 8, 2025—OneGoal, a leading national postsecondary advising and support organization, announced that Ron Sonenthal was elected as the new National Board Chair during the October Board of Directors meeting. Sonenthal, who has been a member of the Board since 2024, succeeds interim Chair Aimée Eubanks Davis, who will continue to serve as a national Board member.
“Ron brings an incredible depth of leadership experience, a proven track record of strong management of financial resources, and a lifelong passion for education and opportunity,” said OneGoal CEO Melissa Connelly. “His values and vision align powerfully with OneGoal’s mission, and I’m thrilled to partner with him as our new National Board Chair to expand what’s possible for the students and school partners we serve.”
Sonenthal is a recently retired Deloitte partner with more than 40 years of experience leading large-scale global operations, governance, and restructuring initiatives. As Founder and Leader of Deloitte’s Member Firm Restructuring practice, he oversaw international teams that resolved brand-critical challenges and drove more than $1 billion in profitability and quality improvements across Europe, Asia, and Africa. He also led the Global Member Firm Standards Initiative, strengthening operational integration and safeguarding Deloitte’s reputation worldwide, and held multiple leadership roles within Deloitte Tax LLP, including Chief Operating Officer. A former member of the Deloitte U.S. Firm Board of Directors, Ron has also served in significant nonprofit leadership roles and is deeply committed to advancing equity in education and employment opportunities. In 2011, he was recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Advancing Diversity Award from the Illinois CPA Society.
Over the past several years, OneGoal has expanded beyond its flagship classroom-based model, which supports cohorts of students directly through a three-year, credit-bearing course beginning in high school, to a more flexible approach that can reach entire school systems. Through the OneGoal Leadership Network, the organization now partners with districts to strengthen postsecondary advising and support structures at scale—ensuring thousands more students have equitable opportunities to pursue a college degree, technical credential, or other pathway that aligns with their ambitions. This evolution allows OneGoal to drive both deep student-level impact and systemic change, positioning the organization for its next chapter of national growth.
“I am honored to serve as OneGoal’s National Board Chair at such a pivotal time for the organization,” said Sonenthal. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen the transformative impact that access, opportunity, and high standards can have—and I believe every young person deserves that chance. I look forward to working alongside Melissa, the Board, and the entire OneGoal team to ensure more students can define and achieve their greatest postsecondary aspirations.”
Today, OneGoal partners with schools and districts nationwide to transform postsecondary advising and support so that every student can pursue a path aligned to their ambitions—whether a four-year or two-year college, technical training, or an industry-recognized credential. With partners across 10 states, OneGoal has reached over 150,000 students since its inception, and is effecting system-level change across districts. Eighty percent of OneGoal high school graduates enroll in a postsecondary institution, and they persist and graduate at significantly higher rates than peers from similar backgrounds. By equipping educators and system leaders with effective tools, data, and strategies, OneGoal is building a future where all students have an opportunity to achieve their greatest aspirations. To learn more, visit onegoal.org.
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OneGoal transforms postsecondary advising and support so that every student can define their own future. We’re building a movement with our partners to close the opportunity gap. We work with partner schools and districts to build their knowledge and capacity. The result is more equitable and effective support for all students. Since our inception, OneGoal has reached over 150,000 students with our unique approach, honed over 15 years, prioritizing strong human relationships. And it’s proven to deliver real student impact. 80% of OneGoal high school graduates enroll in a postsecondary institution, and 72% of those who enroll persist one year after high school. An independent study by the University of Chicago found that OneGoal students are up to 40% more likely to earn their postsecondary degrees than students from similar backgrounds. For more information, visit onegoal.org.
For more information on OneGoal, contact Stephen Barker, Communications Director, at stephen.barker@onegoalgraduation.org or 316-734-1042.