Phyllis Lockett

Phyllis Lockett is CEO of LEAP Innovations. LEAP Innovations will create an education technology hub for the country that connects tech companies and educators to pilot and help scale the best teaching and learning tools to advance education – in and out of school. Previously, Phyllis was the founding President and CEO of New Schools for Chicago, a venture philanthropy organization that invests in the growth of top-performing charter schools and next-generation school models. Originally established as The Renaissance Schools Fund by Chicago’s business and civic leadership to launch 100 new public schools of exceptional quality in underserved communities, RSF raised $50 million, started 70 new public schools, helped create 13 charter networks and tripled the number of charter schools in Chicago. In April 2011, Phyllis announced a new $60 million fund to open 50 additional top-performing charter schools in the next five years. The organization will also cultivate next-generation school models and drive a public information campaign so parents and communities can demand and obtain the best education for their children, as well as report on performance and advocate for accountability so only schools delivering results serve students. Phyllis is the former Executive Director of the Civic Consulting Alliance (CCA), a pro bono consulting firm for government agencies. She previously held marketing, sales and business development roles with Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, Kraft Foods and General Mills. Phyllis earned a Master of Management degree from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. She is a 2006 Henry Crown Fellow of The Aspen Institute and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.