Jean Desravines assumed the role of chief executive officer of New Leaders in February 2011. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Jean served as chief officer for cities and policy at New Leaders for five years. In that role, Jean oversaw the management of all city teams, including the launch of five of the organization's 12 sites, and the organization's national public policy and public funding work. Jean has more than 15 years of professional leadership experience working with parents and communities on education issues and community development, with a primary focus on improving outcomes for children in underserved communities.
Before joining New Leaders, Jean served as senior counselor to the chancellor of New York City's public school system. In that capacity, he developed and executed a comprehensive strategy to engage and communicate with key stakeholders across New York City, building support for the district's ambitious reform agenda. He has also served as the executive director for the Office of Parent and Community Engagement, chief of staff to the senior counselor for Education Policy, and director for community relations at the New York City Department of Education, as well as director of organizational development and community programming for the Faith Center for Community Development, Inc.
Jean earned a bachelor of arts in history from St. Francis College and a master's degree in Public Administration from New York University, where he was the recipient of the Dean's Scholarship -- the school's most prestigious scholarship.