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Charting Change

The 2024 Election's Role in Shaping Education

Be prepared. Read the analysis.
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Surviving to Thriving

Funder collaboratives have the potential to deepen relationships, advance collective knowledge, activate more resources and accomplish more than when funders act alone.

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Focusing on what matters.

High quality education is the best way to improve the odds for every young person.

Solutions

Better FAFSA

Four Lessons From Better FAFSA to Reimagine Postsecondary Transitions

Read the Blog

Disrupting Philanthropy

Three ways to change for more equitable and system-level results.

Read the Blog

Education First is dedicated to improving education for all students, especially those furthest from opportunity.

We are a mission-driven strategy and policy organization dedicated to helping our clients navigate through complexity to create more people-focused, equitable and inclusive initiatives, strategies and organizations.

  • people discussing school challenges

    Today’s schools are challenged

    We live in a fast-moving world driven by knowledge, innovation and creativity. Our nation’s schools are adapting to these changes — but much remains to be done. We need a culture change in public education to transform the way we teach, lead and learn.

  • Group discussing how they can help

    Education First can help

    We are a mission-driven strategy and policy organization with deep expertise in education improvement. We help navigate through complexity to create more people-focused, equitable and inclusive initiatives, strategies and organizations.

Learn about Education First

Partnering with education stakeholders

We direct our time and talent to support clients that can achieve the greatest impact on education systems, teachers and students. Discover what we can do for your organization.

Learn about solutions

Strategies

We are inspired by the belief that a high-quality education is the best way to improve the odds for every young person and we are passionate about supporting all children, especially those farthest from opportunity.

Learn about strategies

Gain insights from our experience

Gain insights

Meet some of our experts

Education First is a seasoned team of trusted advisors to the leaders responsible for delivering what many Americans want most: public education that effectively prepares all students for success in college, careers and a world of constant change.

Ila Deshmukh Towery
Ila Deshmukh Towery
Partner
Expertise
  • Research for Action
  • Design Equitable Strategy
  • Invest with impact
  • Accelerate Academic Success
  • Cultivate Coherent and Thriving Systems
professional headshot for Kelly James
Kelly James
Partner
Expertise
  • Research for Action
  • Coach, Convene and Build Capacity
  • Design Equitable Strategy
  • Invest with impact
Kelly Kovacic Duran
Kelly Kovacic Duran
Principal Consultant
Expertise
  • Transform the Teaching Profession
  • Expand Postsecondary Options and Success
  • Design Equitable Strategy
Anand Vaishnav
Anand Vaishnav
Principal and Senior Director of Consulting Practice
Expertise
  • Research for Action
  • Coach, Convene and Build Capacity
  • Design Equitable Strategy
  • Invest with impact
Jenn Vranek professional headshot
Jenn Vranek
Founding Partner
Expertise
  • Accelerate Academic Success
  • Cultivate Coherent and Thriving Systems
  • Invest with impact
  • Design Equitable Strategy
  • Coach, Convene and Build Capacity
Rashidah Lopez Morgan professional headshot
Rashidah Lopez Morgan
Partner
Expertise
  • Transform the Teaching Profession
  • Cultivate Coherent and Thriving Organizations
  • Expand Postsecondary Options and Success
  • Design Equitable Strategy
Bill Porter
Bill Porter
Partner
Expertise
  • Accelerate Academic Success
  • Expand Postsecondary Options and Success
  • Invest with Impact
  • Design Equitable Strategy
John Luczak
John Luczak
Partner
Expertise
  • Expand Postsecondary Options and Success
  • Transform the Teaching Profession
  • Invest with Impact
  • Coach, Convene and Build Capacity
Ann Duffy
Ann Duffy
Principal Consultant
Expertise
  • Accelerate Academic Success
  • Transform the Teaching Profession
  • Design Equitable Strategy
  • Coach, Convene and Build Capacity
Sheila Briggs
Sheila Briggs
Principal Consultant
Expertise
  • Accelerate Academic Success
  • Transform the Teaching Profession
  • Research for Action
  • Systems coaching around HQIM implementation
Khaled Ismail
Khaled Ismail
Principal Consultant
Expertise
  • Accelerate Academic Success
  • Design Equitable Strategy
  • Expand Postsecondary Options and Success
Celena Siprajim
Celena Siprajim
Principal Consultant
Expertise
  • Transform the Teaching Profession
  • Design Equitable Strategy
  • Coach, Convene and Build Capacity
Roneeta Guha
Roneeta Guha
Principal Consultant
Expertise
  • Expand Postsecondary Options and Success
  • Accelerate Academic Success
  • Transform the Teaching Profession
  • Research for Action
  • Coach, Convene and Build Capacity

Learn about our people

Us at a glance

  • 85
    Seasoned staff members
  • 25
    States we call home
  • 18
    Languages spoken
  • 82
    Dogs, cats and more pets

Learn about our culture

Some of the organizations we work with


Learn about our clients