iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Nonprofit organization Teach For America (TFA) has appointed Indian American Aneesh Sohoni as its next chief executive officer, effective April 15.
Sohoni succeeds Elisa Villanueva Beard, who announced her plans a year ago to step down from the CEO role after twenty-seven years with the organization.
“Following a comprehensive search for a strategic and visionary leader to build on Teach For America’s almost thirty-five years of impact with kids and communities across the country, the Board reached the unanimous decision that Aneesh Sohoni is the right person to lead Teach For America as chief executive officer,” said David Kenny, chair of the Teach For America Board of Directors and executive chairman at Nielsen.
“Aneesh has a vision for TFA, built on the momentum and collective leadership of TFA alumni, teachers, tutors, and staff, to move the organization forward with confidence and conviction, in partnership with over 300 communities across the country, to ensure all children have access to an excellent education.”
Talking about his new role, Sohoni said, “As I take on the role of CEO of Teach For America, I am inspired by what is possible and hopeful that the current trajectory of education and learning in our country does not have to define our future.”
“We’ve seen communities defy the trends and create progress and opportunities for students, and I’m proud that TFA prioritizes coalition-building with students and community members to co-create and achieve a shared vision for a future that is brighter than today. Through the goals that local TFA executive directors and their teams have set in partnership with students, families and schools in their communities, my fellow TFA alumni, teachers and tutors are all working together to improve third grade reading and fourth and eighth grade math gains, and to increase the number of students who are college and career ready by 2030. I’m eager to get into even closer partnership in this work as I step into the CEO role,” he added.
Sohoni is a Teach For America Twin Cities 2009 alumnus and former executive director of Teach For America Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana.
Since 2021, Sohoni has been the chief executive officer of One Million Degrees, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility.
Under his leadership, One Million Degrees has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive academic, financial, personal and professional support to community college students, helping low-income students overcome barriers to graduation.
Sohoni has significantly expanded the organization’s reach and impact, improving retention, graduation rates, and long-term career success of participating students. During his tenure, their numbers have nearly quadrupled from 650 to 2,400.
Inspired by his family’s immigrant story, Sohoni knows how access to educational opportunities can unlock a life full of possibility. It was his experience as a TFA corps member, working with his high school English students, that brought to life for Sohoni the limitless potential of students and the need to ensure all students have access to opportunities to meet their full potential. Since his time as a classroom teacher, Sohoni has worked in the public and nonprofit sectors supporting education efforts, including with the Tennessee Department of Education and TNTP.
Until Sohoni officially becomes CEO on April 15, Elisa Villanueva Beard will continue to lead the organization alongside a strong leadership team, board, and staff.
“I speak on behalf of the entire TFA community when I say we are extremely grateful to Elisa for her twenty-seven years of leadership and commitment to Teach For America,” said Kenny. “The Board is confident in TFA’s future because Elisa has shown us what is possible alongside an amazing world-class team, and Aneesh has the vision to carry that impact forward, building on the current momentum to benefit all children.”
(Photo courtesy: www.linkedin.com/in/aneesh-sohoni)