Gary Briggs, a New Orleans native, serves as executive director and navigator at EdNavigator, a nonprofit that helps families navigate the education system. Founded in 2015, EdNavigator partners with employers to provide navigation services as an employee benefit. Navigators assist families with everything from school choice support to assessing records to working with families on communicating with schools. Gary was the organization’s first hire and has helped to expand access to navigation services to over 4,000 families across the greater New Orleans region. Prior to his work at EdNavigator, Gary joined Teach For America in 2011. He was a founding fifth and sixth grade English language arts teacher at Harriet Tubman Charter School where he taught for four years. During his time as a teacher, he also served as team leader for the fifth and sixth grade team. As he was leaving the classroom, his experiences as a student and teacher in New Orleans’ schools were chronicled by The Times Picayune. In 2011, Gary served in the Obama Administration as a White House Intern. It was during this time that he deepened his interest in public service, understanding that we need to have the right people in the right places to advance the causes of equity and justice in our country. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Christian University. Gary is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he serves as Director of Educational Activities and Chairman of the Scholarship Foundation in Sigma Lambda, the local graduate chapter.