Gene Pinkard is the Director, K-12 Leadership for the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program. Gene’s 30-year career has focused on creating opportunities for students in urban systems. His current work entails convening, supporting, and developing resources for urban system leaders and policymakers. The team focuses on systemic coherence on key issues and research, including adolescent development, school leadership, and secondary transformation. He began as a teacher in rural South Africa and then Washington, DC. His nine years as principal included two schools, first turning around an alternative charter high school and later leading a dual language elementary school, taking both to top-five percentiles in academic growth while diversifying programming, improving climate, and increasing enrollment. As a district leader, Gene served as principal supervisor and cabinet member in DC Public Schools. His teams led multiple district transformation initiatives, including school turnaround, targeted support for young men and educators of color, the school innovation portfolio, redesigning data platforms for school leaders, and districtwide enrollment.
Gene has served on accreditation committees, regional education labs, and district contract negotiation teams. His service includes vice-chair of the board of the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Trinity University board, and several advisory boards for nonprofits and foundations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Theology from Georgetown University and a Master’s in School Administration from Trinity University. Born in Buffalo (Go Bills!) he lives in Takoma Park, MD, with his wife and pets. Their sons are around too, last seen in running a local restaurant, building a baja buggy at college, and getting ready to survive high school.
