Jean-Claude Brizard

Jean-Claude Brizard is the President and CEO of Digital Promise. He is former Senior Advisor and Deputy Director in US Programs at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Brizard’s thirty plus years in education includes serving as Chief Executive of Chicago Public Schools, and Superintendent of Schools for the Rochester, NY School District. Under Mr. Brizard’s leadership, both Chicago Public Schools and the Rochester City School District saw substantial improvements in student performance. Mr. Brizard’s experience also includes a 21-year career as an educator and administrator with the NYC Department of Education. He served as a Regional Superintendent, supervising more than 100 schools in the Borough of Brooklyn and he also served as the system’s Executive Director for its 400 secondary schools. He is a Fellow of the Broad Center, a Fellow of the Pahara-Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Institute Global Leadership Network.

“My experience over three decades in education has taught me that complex issues require comprehensive solutions. The Primary School widens the aperture to better support our students. Creating and demonstrating what is possible is why I joined The Primary School’s board.”