Chad Soleo Appointed National CEO of Green Dot Public Schools
After a rigorous and extensive hiring process, Green Dot’s National Board has announced its appointment of Chad Soleo as the next National Chief Executive for Green Dot Public Schools. Soleo has been serving in this role on an interim basis since November.
As CEO, Soleo will focus on charting an inclusive and dynamic course as Green Dot moves forward into the next chapter. “His passionate commitment to and expression of Green Dot’s mission was evident in every step of the process. We are excited to collaboratively build the vision of Green Dot’s next twenty years – in this, our 20th anniversary year – preparing students for college, leadership, and life,” said Paul Miller, Vice-Chair of the National Board of Directors and Chair of the CEO Search Committee.
Marlene Canter, Chair of the National Board of Directors echoed this: “It’s vital that our leadership truly understands the needs of the communities we serve--Chad spent more than a decade in classrooms in South LA which continues to fuel his dedication to fighting inequity for all students. We are confident that there is no one better positioned to advance Green Dot’s mission at this crucial moment in our history.”
“I am humbled by the opportunity and the Board’s confidence in me. More so, I am excited to lead in collaboration with a great many talented and passionate leaders and educators across our network of schools and the school services professionals who support them.”
-- Chad Soleo, CEO
Soleo, previously served as Green Dot’s Chief Operating Officer. He began his teaching career in 2001 as a high school English teacher at Alain Leroy Locke Senior High School with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), and became an assistant principal there before leaving LAUSD to found one of Green Dot’s most successful high schools, Ánimo Pat Brown, in 2006. Soleo has served students and families in the greater South Los Angeles community as a Green Dot Area Superintendent as well.
“I am humbled by the opportunity and the Board’s confidence in me. More so, I am excited to lead in collaboration with a great many talented and passionate leaders and educators across our network of schools and the school services professionals who support them,” reflected Soleo.
“Since July 2006, when I had the great fortune of being invited to open a new high school with some of the best educators I have ever met, I have witnessed the commitment that this organization has to its students and their families,” he continued. “The purposeful elevation of the voices of our teachers and school leaders in the process of continual improvement is humbling work, but so vital for our students. Our pledge to the greater K-12 education community to tackle the hardest work while promoting replicable practices and collaboration across public education is renewed today. I am energized by Green Dot’s success as we move into our 20th year and eager to carry forward our work serving all students.”
Marco Petruzzi, former CEO of Green Dot Public Schools National, affirmed the appointment, saying: “Chad has been an incredible leader and a major force in driving us forward over the years. His courageous leadership style is such an asset at this pivotal time. Join me in extending our support to Chad as he leads us to help transform public education for the benefit of all students and communities.”