Areas of Expertise: relationship building, community engagement and development, social innovation design

“I believe equitable and transformational change in our education systems will occur when we commit to rooting innovative work in an empathetic understanding of all stakeholders’ needs and working with those most closely impacted by change to lead their communities in imagining a future of learning that best serves students’ needs.”

Director of Community Futures Anna Russo supports personalized, competency-based learning transformation by helping state- and district-level education stakeholders consider what they want for the future and how to get there.

Anna brings experience in designing and facilitating transformational conversations for diverse stakeholders in education, non-profit and business settings. Prior to KnowledgeWorks, she cultivated partnerships and served as senior regional membership manager with the American Association for Justice. In addition to serving as a school board member, Anna has an extensive education background as a teacher and administrator in Memphis, Tennessee. Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in government and women’s and gender studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in education from Christian Brothers University. She is currently attending the University of Pennsylvania for a master’s degree in organizational dynamics. Anna earned a certificate in foresight from the University of Houston and a certificate in social innovation design from the University of Pennsylvania. Anna is also a member of the Association of Professional Futurists.

A self-admitted terrible plant parent, Anna enjoys cheering on her favorite sports teams, the Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys, and baking for her friends, family and neighbors.