Dr. Contreras is passionate about providing a high-quality education to each child. She is a teacher at heart, a transformational leader and a passionate advocate for children and education. Growing up in Uniondale, New York, with nine brothers and sisters, she learned early to advocate for her right to an excellent education. Over the course of her 30-year education career, she has been the first woman of color to lead one of New York’s “Big 5” school systems in Syracuse, and the first woman and Latina to lead Guilford County Schools in North Carolina. She holds multiple degrees including: a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis and a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; a Master of Arts, English Literature; a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
Dr. Sharon Contreras, CEO of the Innovation Project, joins us with unparalleled experience as a public education leader and a passionate advocate for children. Her insights will help shape our market strategies and ensure our work aligns with the needs of educators and families.