John R. McConnell is the Founder and President of Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School. Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School is an innovative model of college prep education that was formed because of a unique partnership of local educators, businesses and universities. Cristo Rey is designed and operated exclusively for students who could not otherwise afford a private education. The Cristo Rey curriculum combines rigorous academics with work internships in businesses where the students are mentored by college educated adults. The work-study program accelerates the students’ development and the wages they earn help pay for the cost of their education. McConnell retired from Deloitte Consulting in 2008, after 27 years with the Firm, in order to lead the founding of Cristo Rey Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Georgetown University (BSBA 1974) and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (MBA 1982). McConnell has served on nonprofit Boards in Philadelphia including Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Philadelphia, and The Rosemont School of the Holy Child and St. Joseph’s Prep, where he served as Chairman of the Board from 2008-2011.