Eugene Pinkard, Jr.

Board of Governors Vice Chair since 2022, Member since 2020

Eugene “Gene” Pinkard, Jr. serves as Director, K-12 Leadership for the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program. A longtime educator and leader, he leads urban district network strategy, supporting superintendents and other education leaders as they deepen their learning and improvement strategies.

Gene was most recently the Chief of School Design and Continuous Improvement at DC Public Schools, where he led school improvement, innovation, and strategic planning. Previously, his work spanned the Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade continuum in private, charter, and traditional public schools. He has led alternative, dual language, elementary, middle, and secondary programs, emphasizing instructional systems, educational innovation, and equity initiatives. Gene began his career in rural South Africa as a volunteer teacher. His school communities have earned accreditation and top national percentiles in academic growth. Gene is a recent adjunct at the American University Graduate School of Education, on the board of Honored, and an advisor to the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. He lives in Maryland with his wife and three boys who land at home at various frequencies.