Background:
Akeshia Craven-Howell is a partner with Bellwether in the Strategic Advising practice area. Akeshia brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in large urban school systems, most recently serving as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ associate superintendent for student assignment and school choice in North Carolina. She led innovation, college and career readiness, and equitable access to high-quality learning in the district. As a member of the superintendent’s cabinet, Akeshia was a key contributor to district strategy and performance management.
Prior to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Akeshia worked in Chicago Public Schools as a project manager for high school transformation, a senior manager in instructional leadership, a chief area officer for high schools, and an officer for pathways to college and career. Akeshia began her career working in engineering and consulting firms in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Evanston, Illinois. At The Alford Group in Evanston, she led consulting teams to provide strategy management and development solutions in the not-for-profit sector.
Akeshia is an alumna of The Broad Superintendents Academy and The Broad Residency in Urban Education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Why I do this work:
My parents were very young when I was born. Barely adults themselves, they, along with my grandmothers, made tremendous sacrifices to provide me access to every opportunity they could, including high-quality schools. That foundation gave me choices they never had. I do this work to ensure that every student — particularly those without adults navigating opportunities on their behalf — has access to high-quality learning environments with adults who see them and support their success.
Experience at Bellwether:
Strategic Planning; New Organization and Design Launch; Growth and Expansion Strategy; Performance Improvement / Sustainability; Implementation Planning; District Schools
Client segments served:
K-12 Schools; Postsecondary / Higher Education; School Districts
Contact Information
akeshia.craven-howell@bellwether.org
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Issue Expertise
Innovation and Personalized Learning
School Districts
Urban Education
