Bridget Lee is the founding Executive Director of the Academy for Local Leadership, a fellowship program empowering local leaders to transform Chicago's education system. With over a decade of experience in the education sector, Bridget has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for students, educators, and schools.Most recently, she served as Director of Engagement and Operations for The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund), where she led strategic stewardship of funders, stakeholders, partners, and team members. As a senior leader, Bridget helped raise over $30M in 2022, overseeing human resources, operations, and the annual strategic planning process.Bridget spent five years at Chicago Public Schools (CPS), co-leading the return-to-school task force during the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing a strategic planning model across CPS Central Office. She also managed the district’s school accountability policy, leading a racial equity assessment that resulted in significant changes.Bridget’s commitment to strong school leadership is rooted in the impact of quality education on her own life and her belief that every student deserves access to excellence in education. She began her career as a middle school teacher after earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Bridget was recognized as a 2018 Surge Institute Fellow and a 2019 Teach for America Elevate Fellow.