Erika Donalds is a dedicated education entrepreneur and advocate with a strong commitment to expanding educational opportunities and promoting school choice. As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OptimaEd, she leads initiatives that support innovative educational models, including the world's first virtual reality school, Optima Academy Online, and classical charter schools focused on rigorous academics and moral character development.With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Erika has held significant positions such as Affiliate CFO/CCO at Boston Private Financial Holdings and CFO/CCO at Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC. Her financial expertise enhances her ability to navigate the complexities of educational funding and governance.Erika's influence extends into educational policy, having served on Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission and the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Education and Workforce Development. She is also a guest faculty member at the Leadership Institute, where she shares her insights on education reform and advocacy.She holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Florida State University and a master's degree in Accountancy from Florida Atlantic University. Erika is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).Passionate about fostering an environment where every child can succeed, Erika Donalds leverages her experience as a finance professional and education advocate to drive meaningful change in the educational landscape.