Heidi Guarino Communications Consultant
Heidi has spent her professional career in and around public education, first as an education reporter for local and national media outlets, and later as a senior leader in the development and communication of education policy in Massachusetts. Since joining Education First she has worked on and managed a wide range of projects, including the development of marketing materials and research papers for the Washington STEM Center, Citizen Schools, the Efficacy Institute, EdVestors and Hope Street Group. She also works with advocates from 11 states to coordinate their network, facilitate ongoing conversations and produce a monthly newsletter for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Most recently Heidi served as chief of staff for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. As a chief adviser to the Commissioner of Education, she served as his primary liaison with school and district leaders, and with lead staff in the offices of the Governor and the Executive Office of Education. She oversaw major efforts including the development of public education policy, government relations, Board of Education initiatives and communication strategy for the public, school officials and the media. She played a key role in the development of the state's winning Race to the Top proposal, and managed high-profile efforts on global education, 21st century skills and closing the proficiency gap.
Earlier in her career, Heidi spent a decade as an education reporter, covering national and state education news for The Associated Press in Boston and for several regional newspapers in eastern Massachusetts.
Heidi earned her bachelor's degree in Professional Writing from Emerson College in Boston, and is an appointed member of the Salem Public Schools Innovation Committee. She lives with her husband and two school-aged sons in Salem, Massachusetts.