Alison Avera
ALISON AVERA
The Broad Residency Class of 2007-2009
Current Organization: New York City Department of Education
M.B.A., Harvard Business School
B.A., History, Tulane University
“Teaching in one of New Orleans’ under-resourced schools helped me understand that funds, passionate people, and a worthy cause are important but not enough to make a successful organization. To ensure a quality education for all children, we can and must do more. This realization was enough to transform my two-year teaching commitment into a lifetime commitment to children, learning and education reform.”
Alison Avera currently serves as the chief of staff for the division of enterprise operations for the New York City Department of Education. She joined The Broad Residency as chief of staff for the Empowerment Schools Support Organization, a division of the New York City Department of Education. As a member of the senior leadership team, she helps develop strategy and provide operational support to 500 schools participating in the city’s landmark reforms to give more autonomy to principals. She also helped facilitate the process for over 1,400 schools to select a school support organization to provide operational and educational technical assistance. Previously, Avera served as vice president of alumni affairs for Teach For America, where she led development of a new national goal and strategies to leverage over 10,000 alumni as a force for change in public education. Avera discovered her interest in public education as a Teach For America corps member teaching biology in New Orleans, an experience that fueled her career working with and on behalf of children. Avera has also served as membership director with the Philadelphia area Girl Scouts, where she recruited and supported more than 7,000 volunteers to serve over 20,000 members. Avera participated in The Broad Residency in Urban Education Cohort 2007, serving her two-year Residency in the New York City Department of Education.