Dr. Lisa Herring is a visionary education leader dedicated to transforming learning experiences and workforce access for students nationwide. She is the president of the PROPEL Center, the country’s first innovation technology hub designed to upskill students and faculty, and is a former K–12 superintendent and strategic advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Lisa recently served as superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools (APS), where her work propelled academic success and student outcomes by embracing innovation and technology in the classroom; enhancing student-parent support services; and creating an environment of collaboration and ingenuity among teachers, school leaders, and corporate partners. Prior to leading APS through the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as superintendent of Birmingham City Schools in Alabama; chief academic officer for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky; and deputy superintendent of academics for the Charleston County School District in South Carolina. She also served in leadership positions in Atlanta’s DeKalb County Schools, Macon, Georgia, and private schools in Pittsburgh. In several of these roles, she established national models for creating long-term student achievement and expanded career pathways through corporate and community partnerships.

During her 20 plus years in K–12 education, Lisa has embraced the ideas of service and community through her many activities aimed at inspiring young scholars, empowering educational leaders, and improving outcomes for students nationwide.

Lisa holds a BA from Spelman College, master’s and specialist degrees from the University of South Carolina, and a PhD from Georgia Southern University. She has leadership certification from the University of Georgia and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.