DALLAS, Texas – The Community Foundation of Texas announced the selection of Kelly Briggs as the new executive director of Educate Texas.
Educate Texas oversees the work of RGV FOCUS, a collective impact initiative in the Rio Grande Valley.
Mr. Briggs will also serve on CFT’s executive leadership team.
CFT announced an extensive five-month search following the resignation of longtime Educate Texas executive director John Fitzpatrick.
Mr. Briggs will join CFT on December 2 and will be based at CFT’s headquarters in Dallas.
As executive director, Briggs will lead the transformation of Texas’ public and higher education systems to help students succeed in school, the workforce, and life, said Wayne White, president and CEO of CFT. He said he will provide strategic vision and operational management for Educate Texas as it prepares to move forward. .
“Building partnerships as a vehicle for success has been a focus of Kelly’s career, and this role brings together a combination of strategic organizational and financial leadership, external relations, and a deep understanding of the Texas system,” White said. will benefit from the strengths of “Her experience working with educators, stakeholders, donors, policy makers, and elected leaders makes her an excellent candidate for this role.” and has the right experience to lead Educate Texas now and into the future.”
According to a CFT press release, Mr. Briggs is an experienced professional with extensive expertise in federal and state government, K-12 education, higher education, and corporate social responsibility. Most recently, she served as chief of staff for Houston ISD, the largest district in Texas and the eighth largest in the United States.
Prior to joining the HISD team, Mr. Briggs was a partner at Cicero Group, where he led industry-wide projects in the social impact and K-12 sectors. There, she worked with partners to measure, evaluate, and implement strategies to make change happen.
“I am truly honored to join Educate Texas and the Texas Community Foundation.The opportunity to improve the public education system that is so important to students in my home state is why I pursued this role. ,” Briggs said. “Schools and public education are the promise and investment our nation makes in our young people and their futures, and we must get it right. I look forward to continuing to build on Educate Texas’ strong history and reputation. I look forward to bringing new perspectives to our efforts to support education locally and across the state.”
Texas Education Commission Chair Matrice Ellis Kirk also commented on the appointment. She said:
“Kelly has not only had an impressive career, but has been actively involved in education policy as well as local and national committees dedicated to improving community and social outcomes. Educate Texas by Kerri What she has accomplished so far in her career is truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing what it can do for Texas students and their families.”
Kelly Briggs Biography Details:
Prior to joining Cicero Group, Briggs served as Director of Education Programs and Policy at ExxonMobil, where he managed a portfolio of education grants and provided policy advice on teacher quality, state standards, and federal policy issues. provided. Her previous role as director of education reform at the George W. Bush Institute led her to return to Texas after nine years in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Briggs also served as State Superintendent of Education in Washington, D.C., where he led state systems including early childhood education, school food services, federal K-12 policy and financing, and higher education programs. In this role, she managed $100 million in local funds and $550 million in federal funds, and served as a liaison with the State Board of Education, the D.C. City Council, and the Mayor’s Office.
Mr. Briggs was appointed by President George W. Bush as Assistant Secretary of State for Elementary and Secondary Education and confirmed in June 2007, playing a central role in policy and administrative issues affecting students. This role caps off nearly eight years at the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), where she was involved in policy development and implementation, state engagement, regulatory development, and budget development and management.
In addition to her role in USDE’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, she held positions in the Office of the Deputy Administrator, Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development.
Briggs received his Ph.D. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education policy and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Southern California. She received her bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.
About Community Foundation of Texas:
The mission of the Community Foundation of Texas is to improve the lives of all people in our communities by investing in their health, wealth, lives, and learning. The Community Foundation works to accomplish this by increasing community giving, expanding community impact, and promoting community equity. With a vision of building thriving communities for all, the Community Foundation supports thousands of individuals, families, businesses, foundations, and nonprofit organizations locally and across the state through a variety of philanthropic and strategic grant initiatives. We are collaborating with The Community Foundation expertly manages more than 1,300 philanthropic foundations and has awarded more than $2.5 billion in grants since its founding in 1953.
In addition to strengthening several initiatives, including the WW Carruth Jr. Fund and the Business Impact Center, the Community Foundation will respond to and understand the needs of donors, expertly handle complex gifts, and improve the management of philanthropic funds wisely. We are committed to managing and leveraging community knowledge to improve the effectiveness of our philanthropic efforts. , Educating Texas, Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy, GiveWisely, and North Texas Giving Day. For more information, visit CFTexas.org.
About Educate Texas
Educate Texas, an initiative of the Community Foundation of Texas, is a trusted change agent in Texas education, developing programs and policies to ensure all Texas students are prepared for school, the workforce, and life. We are working through this. Since 2003, Educate Texas has partnered with school districts, higher education institutions, businesses, community and civic organizations, state agencies, and policymakers to strengthen the public and higher education system for all Texas students. Ta.
