Eugene Pinkard ’01

Eugene Pinkard is an experienced educator and policy leader who currently serves as director of practice and leadership, at the Aspen Institute’s Education and Society program. The Aspen Institute is an influential, global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just and equitable society. The Aspen Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the U.S. and the world. Gene Pinkard leads the Aspen Institute’s urban district networks, supporting superintendents, chief academic officers and other leaders as they deepen their learning and refine their improvement strategies.

Gene Pinkard was most recently the chief of school design and continuous improvement at D.C. Public Schools, where he led school improvement, innovation and strategic planning. Previously, he focused on equity initiatives and pedagogy in his roles as a principal supervisor for middle schools, and as a principal in traditional public and charter schools, including Marie Reed Elementary School and Maya Angelou Public Charter School in D.C.

Pinkard earned his master of science in administration from Trinity in 2001, with a focus on educational administration. He earned his bachelor’s degree in government and theology from Georgetown University. He currently serves on the boards of the Folger Shakespeare Library, of Honored, on the Community Action board of Children’s National Medical Center, and was an adjunct professor at the American University Graduate School of Education.