The Education Northwest Board of Directors is excited to share that it has appointed Jessica Johnson as the organization’s next chief executive officer. She will transition into her new role in February.

“Over the past year, Jessica has worked closely with our staff and board to understand our strengths and position us to grow our partnerships and our staff nationwide,” said Monte Woolstenhulme, Education Northwest board chair. “Jessica’s commitment to our organizational values, her expertise in the field, and her vision for our future make her the right person to lead Education Northwest into our next chapter.”

Since November 2021, Jessica has led all business development and program work at Education Northwest as chief program and development officer. She has been instrumental in developing the organization’s equity-centered strategy, improving internal systems, and securing critical projects and partnerships, including the Washington Statewide Family Engagement Center.

I am honored to be Education Northwest’s next CEO. Our team consists of top-quality researchers and technical assistance providers committed to equity-focused solutions in the field. I am excited to continue to grow and expand our presence in the region and beyond.
—Jessica Johnson

Before joining Education Northwest, Jessica was a senior vice president at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), where she oversaw a portfolio of technical assistance work in education, workforce, international development, and human services. In this role, she oversaw many large-scale projects, including the Illinois Center for School Improvement, which offered coaching and professional development services that helped participating schools achieve statistically significant improvements in test scores, graduation rates, attendance, and truancy. Previously, Jessica led school improvement and turnaround services at Learning Point Associates, a nonprofit education organization that merged with AIR in 2010.

“I am honored to be Education Northwest’s next CEO,” said Jessica. “Our team consists of top-quality researchers and technical assistance providers committed to equity-focused solutions in the field. I am excited to continue to grow and expand our presence in the region and beyond.”

Jessica succeeds Patty Wood, who has served as Education Northwest’s CEO since 2019.

“Patty stepped in to steer Education Northwest through the major transitions that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Monte Woolstenhulme. “The entire organization is so grateful to Patty for her compassionate leadership and her dedication to educational equity—both of which have set us up to excel in the years ahead.”

Patty shares the board’s excitement about her successor and the outlook for Education Northwest. “Having worked alongside Jessica for the past year, I know she is a terrific leader. We are lucky to have such a dedicated and strategic CEO taking us into the future.”