Barr Foundation Names New Education Program Officer

The Barr Foundation today announced the appointment of Ali Gross as program officer for Education. Ali will focus on the Foundation’s “Catalyze New Models” strategy, which aims to fuel fresh school designs that fit local contexts and transform the high school experience to put success within reach of all students. Launched in 2016, this grantmaking portfolio now includes more than 50 partners from all six New England states, from both urban and rural communities, as well as a mix of district and charter public schools. Some are developing new high schools. Others are redesigning existing schools.

Ali joins Barr after ten years working directly with K-12 schools in Boston. Her experience includes supporting strategic staffing, budgeting, performance management, and instructional leadership development. Most recently, Ali served in the Boston Public Schools Office of Human Capital, where she advised and supported over 200 school leaders at 63 schools with teacher observation and feedback practices. She also managed district-level strategic projects and professional learning initiatives related to educator evaluation. Before joining the Boston Public Schools’ central office team, Ali managed professional development and outreach programs at Boston Arts Academy, taught 6th graders as a Citizen Schools Team Leader at the Edwards Middle school, and served as a writing tutor at Snowden International High School. Ali holds an M.Ed. in Education Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Child Development and Sociology from Tufts University.

“Ali brings first-hand knowledge about the opportunities and challenges of transforming high schools. And she has demonstrated her conviction that all young people can succeed in learning, work, and life.” –Leah Hamilton, Director of Education

“The education team is excited to welcome Ali Gross as our newest program officer,” said Leah Hamilton, Director of Education. “Over the last three years, the Catalyze New Models portfolio has grown to over 50 partners from across the region, including through our Engage New England initiative and Wider Learning Ecosystem grantmaking. With experience in the classroom and the central office of a large urban district, Ali brings first-hand knowledge about the opportunities and challenges of transforming high schools. And she has demonstrated her conviction that all young people can succeed in learning, work, and life.”

Ali will start the week of May 20th.