Michelle Rhee

Michelle Rhee began her impactful career in education as a Teach for America (TFA) corps member, serving three years at Harlem Park Elementary School in Baltimore City. This foundational experience underscored the critical role of effective teaching in student achievement and propelled her into deeper educational reform efforts. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Cornell University in 1992 and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Rhee founded The New Teacher Project (TNTP) in 1997.

She implemented rigorous reforms centered on accountability, teacher performance, and school management, laying the groundwork for sustained progress. Following her departure from DCPS in 2010, Rhee founded StudentsFirst, a national advocacy organization. Its mission was to mobilize stakeholders across the United States to champion meaningful education reform, influencing policy and practice nationwide. In 2013, Rhee further contributed to the national education dialogue with the publication of her book, ‘Radical: Fighting to Put Students First’.

In recent years, she has leveraged her extensive expertise in educational leadership as a Venture Partner at Equal Opportunity Ventures. In this role, Rhee actively invests in and supports companies dedicated to advancing social mobility, education, and workforce development, continuing her lifelong commitment to fostering innovative solutions and driving equitable outcomes across the educational landscape.