Darienne D. Hudson, Ph.D.

Dr. Darienne Driver Hudson has been president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan since July 2018. She led the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) as superintendent from October 2014 to May 2018. Dr. Driver Hudson is a high-energy visionary who initiated a series of bold reform measures throughout her career designed to ensure equity for all students and improve achievement outcomes.

Dr. Driver Hudson has consistently championed courageous and innovative initiatives that advanced education for students in urban districts. She believes strongly in theory and practice in the power of collective impact and the importance of public-private partnerships in solving societal issues. She also served as chair of the Council of Great City Schools, a policy-making body of the 70 largest urban school districts in the country committed to improving academic achievement and organizational effectiveness.

Prior to her role as superintendent, Dr. Driver Hudson was appointed MPS’ first chief innovation officer. In that role, she was successful in narrowing the achievement gap in MPS’ Commitment Schools, schools with the greatest need for improvement.

Before joining MPS, Dr. Driver Hudson served as deputy chief of empowerment schools for the School District of Philadelphia. Prior to that role she served as coordinator of strategic management and accountability and special assistant to the superintendent in Clayton County (Ga.) Public Schools. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Detroit Public Schools.

Dr. Driver Hudson’s academic achievements include a doctorate degree from Harvard University, where she completed an urban superintendents’ program. She also earned master’s degrees in education from Harvard University and in curriculum development from the University of Michigan, and an undergraduate degree from Spelman College in child development. She also serves on the Board of Overseers for Harvard University.