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Dr. Paris Woods is chief program officer at StriveTogether, where she leads the organization’s work to accelerate and scale impact across a national network of communities. In this role, she oversees a portfolio spanning data and insights, network impact, policy and partnerships, and training — advancing StriveTogether’s strategic goals through high-impact strategy, technical assistance and learning approaches that support improved cradle-to-career outcomes for youth. Paris plays a key role in aligning cross-functional efforts and partnerships to transform systems and put more young people on a path to economic mobility.

Paris brings more than two decades of experience in education, nonprofit leadership and systems transformation. She previously served as co-founder and executive director of College Beyond, where she led a college completion initiative that increased first-year retention rates for first-generation students. She has held senior leadership roles in national and local education organizations, where she built and led high-performing teams, managed multi-million-dollar portfolios and developed strategies to expand access to postsecondary credentials and high-wage, high-growth careers. Paris’s work has been recognized with awards including Gambit’s 40 Under 40 and the Millennial Award in Education.

In addition to her work at StriveTogether, Paris is a bestselling author and social entrepreneur. Her book, The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom, has sold more than 100,000 copies and has empowered thousands to build wealth and take control of their financial futures. She also teaches educational leadership as an adjunct faculty member at Tulane University and serves on the boards of Believe STL Academy, 4.0 Schools and College Beyond. Paris holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate in education from The University of Texas at Austin. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.