Caitlin Richard Named Nashville Schools CFO

The veteran educator has stepped into the chief financial officer role at Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Administration

Caitlin Richard Named Nashville Schools CFO

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Caitlin Richard has joined Metro Nashville Public Schools to replace outgoing chief financial officer Jorge Robles. Robles is departing the district next month to focus on family needs.

Why it matters

The leadership change marks a significant transition for the district, which manages a massive public budget representing 37 percent of the city's total fiscal plan. Maintaining stability in this high-level position is vital for the continued management of Nashville education funding.

The district manages a $1.4 billion budget, which saw a 13 percent increase in 2025 followed by a 4 percent rise in 2026. This financial oversight represents 37 percent of the total Nashville city budget.

The players

Caitlin Richard

She is the new chief financial officer for Metro Nashville Public Schools who previously held the same role in Hartford.

Jorge Robles

He has served as the chief financial officer for the school district since 2024 and is now stepping down for family reasons.

Maura Sullivan

She is departing her role as the district's chief operating officer next month.

Sarah Chin

She is the former chief strategy officer who concluded her tenure with the district earlier this year.

Jesse Tang

He is the new chief strategy officer who succeeded Sarah Chin.

The details

Caitlin Richard joins the district following a two-year tenure as the chief financial officer for Hartford Public Schools. Her appointment coincides with other leadership shifts in the district, including the upcoming departures of chief operating officer Maura Sullivan and the recent replacement of chief strategy officer Sarah Chin by Jesse Tang.

Jorge Robles joined the district in 2024.
Sarah Chin finished her term as chief strategy officer in the summer of 2026.
Caitlin Richard joined the school system in September 2026.
Jorge Robles and Maura Sullivan depart in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The recent wave of executive departures mirrors a broader trend of administrative churn currently impacting urban school districts nationwide. This shift forces local systems to rapidly adapt their internal hierarchy to maintain continuity during major budget cycles.

The shift in financial leadership could influence how the district communicates future budget updates and resource allocation to local families. Residents should monitor upcoming school board meetings for updates on how these new leadership roles will shape district priorities.

The takeaway

Large urban school districts often face significant leadership transitions as administrators rotate between major metropolitan systems. Understanding these personnel shifts helps community members identify who is responsible for managing taxpayer-funded educational resources.