Learning Policy Institute appoints Elena Silva as new president and CEO

The Learning Policy Institute (LPI) has announced the appointment of Elena Silva as its new President and CEO, effective April 28, 2025. Silva is recognized nationally for her leadership in education policy and brings over 25 years of experience in research, policy, and organizational leadership with a focus on educational equity.

Silva will succeed Linda Darling-Hammond, who founded LPI in 2015 and has led it for the past decade. Darling-Hammond will transition to Chief Knowledge Officer, concentrating on research and policy initiatives while collaborating closely with Silva and leading LPI researchers. Under Darling-Hammond's leadership, LPI has become influential in education policy, delivering research that has impacted policies at various levels to enhance equitable education systems.

Silva joins LPI from New America, where she served as Senior Director of Education. She led strategic planning and policy initiatives there, growing the birth through 12th-grade education program into a hub for research and innovation. Her work focused on areas such as teacher preparation and school finance equity.

Barbara Chow, Chair of the LPI Board of Directors, said: "Elena’s extensive experience bridging research, policy, and practice makes her the ideal leader to guide LPI into its next chapter." Silva previously held roles at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Association of University Women. She began her career managing youth programs at ASPIRA Association and served on various national task forces.

Silva holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Berkeley. She expressed her enthusiasm about joining LPI: "I am honored to join LPI at this critical time for public education," emphasizing her commitment to advancing research-driven solutions.

Darling-Hammond commented: "Launching LPI has been a great privilege... I look forward to supporting [Silva] as they continue this vital work."

Information from this article can be found here.