Background:
Lauren Schwartze is a partner with Bellwether in its Strategic Advising practice area. Since joining Bellwether in 2014, Lauren has led strategic planning and programmatic development/improvement across a range of districts, charter networks and schools, private/independent schools, philanthropic foundations, and education nonprofits. Lauren has especially deep experience in Bellwether’s work in early care and education, K-12 learning and improvement cohorts/networks, postsecondary access and success, whole child development, and instructional materials/personalized learning.
Prior to joining Bellwether, Lauren worked in Accenture’s Talent and Organization practice with a focus on supporting global companies to define talent strategy and leadership, learning, and change management initiatives. Lauren is a proud alumna of Teach For America, where she worked as a high school mathematics teacher and a caseload manager for children with special needs in rural eastern North Carolina. She is currently on the Chicago regional advisory board for Education Pioneers as well as the advisory board for her high school alma mater, a Catholic school in St. Louis, Missouri. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Harvard College.
Why I do this work:
I was privileged to access high-quality education via the parochial system; I work to help ensure that access to excellent education is not a privilege, but is instead the right and lived experience of every child. I honor the fact that there are many people out there doing this work — and, as a former educator, it’s important to me that those directly engaging children, students, and families are well supported.
Experience at Bellwether:
Strategic Planning; Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis; Data Collection and Analysis; Analysis; Growth and Expansion Strategy; Human Capital/Organizational Design; Performance Improvement/Sustainability; Financial Analysis and Modeling; Implementation Planning; Market Assessment; Project Management; CMO/Charter School Operators; District Schools; Foundations
Client segments served:
Early Childhood; K-12 Schools; Postsecondary/Higher Education; School Districts; CMO/Charter Schools; Foundations and Grantees; Nonprofit Organizations; Product and Service Providers
Sample clients:
Arkansas Early Care and Education Task Force, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Chicago Public Schools, Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, Harmony Public Schools, NewSchools Venture Fund, OneGoal, Project Lead the Way, the Learning Accelerator
Contact Information
lauren.schwartze@bellwether.org
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Issue Expertise
Charter Schools
Early Childhood Education
Innovation and Personalized Learning
Private Schools
School Districts