Diane Tavenner

Diane Tavenner is the co-founder and CEO of Summit Public Schools, a nationally-recognized nonprofit that operates 15 public middle and high schools in California and Washington. She developed a school model centered on real-world experiences, self-direction, collaboration, and reflection—preparing all students to succeed in college, thrive in today's workplace, and lead a secure and fulfilled life. Summit has earned many accolades and distinctions, most notably America's Best High Schools from US News and World Report, America's Most Challenging High Schools by the Washington Post and one of the world's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Education from Fast Company.

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A lifelong educator, prior to founding Summit, Diane spent a decade as a public school teacher, administrator, and leader in traditional urban and suburban public schools throughout California. She is on the board of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Diane is also the author of Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life, published by Currency, an imprint of Crown Publishing. Prepared has been featured on “Good Morning America,” named a bestseller by Amazon and the Los Angeles Times, and recommended by Bill Gates as one of his top books of 2019. All author net proceeds from the sale of Prepared will be donated to the Community High School Foundation to support a college and career scholarship fund.

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She has a degree in psychology and sociology from University of Southern California and an MA in administration and policy from Stanford University.