Former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings is the new CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. She was described via an announcement as a veteran leader who has forged strong relationships on both sides of the aisle, she has decades of experience finding common-sense solutions to improve the lives of American families.
The organization’s chief operating officer, Kelly Veney Darnell, had been interim CEO.
“I am thrilled to lead the Bipartisan Policy Center,” said Spellings via a statement. “It is a consequential and much needed place for ideas, solutions, and action. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by the founders, board, and staff and know that collectively we will continue to make a difference for our country.”
Spellings will guide the organization’s strategic direction and priorities, promote BPC’s policy recommendations, and be the chief steward of BPC’s bipartisan ethos and mission to help policymakers work across party lines to craft bipartisan solutions.
Spellings most recently served as president and CEO of Texas 2036, a think tank representing non-partisan ideas that are grounded in research and transparent data to break through the gridlock on issues that matter most to all Texans. Prior to that, Spellings served as the president of the 17-institution University of North Carolina System from 2016 to 2019.
Spellings served as U.S. Secretary of Education from 2005 to 2009, leading the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, a bipartisan initiative to provide greater accountability for the education of 50 million U.S. public school students. As secretary, she also launched the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, a plan to address challenges of access, affordability, quality, and accountability in our nation’s colleges and universities. Prior to serving as Secretary, Spellings served as White House domestic policy advisor from 2001 to 2005, overseeing the administration’s agenda on education, transportation, health, justice, housing, and labor.
