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Deb Delisle, CEO of All4Ed, to Retire

For Release: Friday, April 14, 2023

Contact: Enrique A. Chaurand, 816-825-1072, echaurand@All4Ed.org

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, All4Ed announced that Deborah Delisle plans to retire from her role as chief executive officer (CEO) and is working with Dr. Delisle on a transition timeline. All4Ed’s board of directors will conduct a nationwide search for the organization’s next CEO.

“During her tenure, Deb has been an extraordinary leader and advocate for our mission to ensure that every student has access to an excellent education as a fundamental, human right. Under her leadership, All4Ed continues to be a leading voice in education policy, advocating for equitable access to high-quality education, and promoting innovative approaches to teaching and learning. We are grateful to her and for her many contributions to All4Ed and the field of education,” said Juan Sepúlveda, chair of the All4Ed board. 

Prior to her current position with All4Ed, Delisle served as executive director and CEO of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), a professional community of more than 120,000 education professionals around the world. She also served as U.S. assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education from 2012 to 2015 at the U.S. Department of Education. During that time, she played a pivotal role in policy and management issues affecting pre-kindergarten, elementary and secondary education, and oversaw eighty-six programs with a portfolio of nearly $26 billion.

During Delisle’s more than forty years in education, she has served in a variety of roles at the local, state, and federal levels. Delisle was a senior fellow at the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) where she worked to enhance educator performance systems and create transformative school and district cultures. She also served as Ohio’s thirty-fifth state superintendent of public instruction and was the superintendent of the Cleveland Heights–University Heights (Ohio) City School District. Delisle has served on several education-related boards and received numerous honors, including having a school named after her in honor of her lifetime of service to students. In July 2014 she was identified by the National Journal as one of five women in America who influence and shape national education policy.

“I am grateful for Deb’s service and wish her the very best,” said Dan Leeds, founding board member of All4Ed. “Under Deb’s leadership, during the pandemic, All4Ed advanced bipartisan legislation at the federal, state, and local levels, supported leading school districts through its Future Ready Schools program and served as an outspoken advocate for educational equity.  I look forward to All4Ed ‘s next chapter, and its aggressive support of all students to ensure they obtain the necessary skills for successful lives.” 

“It has been an honor to lead All4Ed and work alongside such a dedicated and talented team. I am proud of what we have accomplished together to ensure that all students – regardless of their zip code – have access to a world class education.” said Delisle. “I am grateful to amazing colleagues devoted to making a lasting impact on the lives of students across our country. I am confident the organization will continue to be a powerful force for change in education policy and practice. While I may be ending my time at All4Ed, I will continue to advocate on behalf of all students, especially those historically underserved.  Education has been such an important part of my life for over forty years, and I remain committed to the belief that our country’s future depends upon the quality of our education system.”  

With support and guidance from the All4Ed staff and board, Delisle’s many accomplishments at All4Ed include:

After stepping down as CEO of All4Ed, Delisle plans to remain active part-time in education endeavors. 

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