Executive Director,
Education & Society Program

Dr. Janice K. Jackson is a nationally recognized education leader, speaker, and engagement champion with over 23+ years of educational leadership experience, dedicated to expanding access to high-quality education. As the CEO of Hope Chicago, she leads a transformative nonprofit committed to advancing economic mobility by providing students and their parents/guardians from under-resourced communities with debt-free college and workforce credentials. Under her leadership, the organization has raised approximately $80 million in just three years, securing vital resources to expand educational access and support services for over 4,000 families.

In addition to her groundbreaking work in education, Dr. Jackson has forged strategic partnerships with the business community, driving economic growth and innovation. Her visionary approach to building sustainable funding models and collaborative networks has transformed educational outcomes and stimulated local economic development.

Previously, Dr. Jackson served as CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), where she led the nation’s third-largest school district, overseeing 355,000 students, 38,000 employees, and a $7 billion budget. Under her leadership, CPS achieved record-high graduation rates, improved student outcomes across all demographics, and launched groundbreaking initiatives such as Learn. Plan. Succeed., ensuring every high school senior had a concrete postsecondary plan.

A sought-after national speaker, Dr. Jackson has testified before Congress on the impact of poverty and gun violence on students and has shaped education policy at local and federal levels. She has also been instrumental in creating equity-driven reforms, including establishing CPS’s first Equity Office.

Dr. Jackson holds a B.A. and M.A. from Chicago State University and an M.A. and Ed.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She serves on multiple national boards and contributes her expertise to drive systemic change in education.