Ann Duffy is a Principal Consultant at Education First, where she advises state education agencies and their partners on designing and implementing system-level strategies to improve student outcomes. Her work focuses on literacy, high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), educator quality, and assessment—helping states align policy, practice, and implementation so reforms actually take hold.

Ann brings deep experience working alongside state leaders to translate policy goals into coherent, field-facing strategies. She regularly leads complex initiatives that require cross-agency coordination, stakeholder engagement, and sustained implementation support. Current and recent work includes key roles designing and supporting statewide initiatives such as the Midwest Literacy Collective and Transforming Together, as well as deep partnership with state education agencies in Nebraska, Georgia, and Arkansas to advance literacy, HQIM, educator quality, and system coherence initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Ann served in senior roles in state education agencies in Massachusetts and Georgia and as the Policy Director for the Abu Dhabi Education Council. She began her work in education with Teach for America and as a community organizer for Parents for Public Schools, experiences that continue to ground her commitment to improving public systems so they better serve students, families and educators.

Ann serves on the board of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. She holds a doctorate in education policy from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Millsaps College. She lives in Georgia and enjoys traveling, geocaching, and spending time with her adult children.