Current CEO of The Learning Policy Institute Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond will be stepping down from the organization she founded in 2015.

Darling-Hammond, who also serves as president of the California State Board of Education, will be succeeded by Dr. Elena Silva as LPI’s new president and CEO, effective April 28. A nationally recognized education policy leader, Silva brings more than 25 years of experience in research, policy, and organizational leadership, with a deep commitment to advancing educational equity.

Darling-Hammond will transition to the role of chief knowledge officer, focusing on key research and policy initiatives and working closely with Silva and leading LPI researchers. Under Darling-Hammond’s leadership, LPI has become a nationally recognized force in education policy, delivering high-quality research and analysis that has shaped policies and practices at the local, state and national levels to build stronger, more equitable education systems for all students.

“Launching LPI has been a great privilege,” said Darling-Hammond. “I am thrilled to see Elena step into this role. She is a visionary leader with a deep commitment to educational equity and a strong track record of organizational leadership to drive meaningful policy change. I look forward to supporting her and the LPI team as they continue this vital work.”

Silva joins LPI from New America, where she has led strategic planning, research and policy initiatives as the senior director of education. Under her leadership, New America’s birth through 12th-grade education program has grown into a hub for research and policy innovation in areas such as teacher preparation, school finance equity, and support for English learners and students with disabilities.

Prior to her tenure at New America, Silva held leadership roles at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Association of University Women, shaping national research agendas and leading policy initiatives focused on teaching and learning. Silva began her career managing youth leadership programs for the DC-based ASPIRA Association, one of the largest national Hispanic-serving organizations, where she developed and directed one of the first AmeriCorps service programs in the nation. She also served as a member of the U.S. Senate task force for Hispanic education.

Silva holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Berkeley, with research focused on school reform and equity. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that education systems serve all students — especially those historically underserved — by fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers and practitioners.

“I am honored to join LPI at this critical time for public education,” said Silva. “LPI has built a strong reputation as a trusted, nonpartisan leader in education policy, and I look forward to working with the team to advance research-driven solutions that support students, educators and communities across the country.”