Dr. Lisa N. Herring is a nationally recognized education leader with over 25 years of experience driving innovation and equity across America’s public school systems. She currently serves as chief executive officer of New Leaders, where she leads the organization’s mission to deliver educational excellence for every student, expand opportunity for every educator, and drive lasting impact in every community.

Lisa most recently served as president of PROPEL, the national innovation and learning hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In 2023, she was appointed as a strategic advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education, bringing her perspective as a district leader to inform federal policy and practice.

Prior to her national leadership roles, Dr. Herring served as superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools (APS), guiding the district of more than 50,000 students through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before joining APS, Dr. Herring was superintendent of Birmingham City Schools (Alabama), where she led the system out-of-state takeover and restored full district accreditation for the first time in decades.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Herring held senior leadership roles as chief academic officer for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, and deputy superintendent of academics for Charleston County School District in South Carolina. She began her career as a high school English teacher and guidance counselor.

Dr. Herring holds a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College, a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina, and a doctorate in education from Georgia Southern University. She has also completed advanced leadership training through the Harvard Superintendents Institute and other national programs.