Dr. Meisha Porter is a senior visiting fellow at the Center for Education Innovation, where she leads the development and growth of CEI Bronx. In this role, she builds a borough-wide strategy to strengthen academic experiences for students and educators and advance future-ready learning through the Bronx Innovation Center.

Most recently, Dr. Porter served as the inaugural president and chief executive officer of The Bronx Community Foundation. She led the foundation’s first strategic plan, commissioned 50 Ideas for a Stronger and More Equitable Bronx, expanded participatory grantmaking, and launched the inaugural Gala and Asset Awards, positioning the organization as a leading philanthropic institution in the borough.

Previously, Dr. Porter served as chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, the largest school system in the nation. As the first Black woman to hold the role, she was responsible for educating 1.1 million students across more than 1,800 schools.

Dr. Porter began her career as a youth organizer in the Bronx, work that led to the founding of The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice, the first Urban Assembly school. She served as community coordinator, internship coordinator, English teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She later served as superintendent of Community School District 11 and executive superintendent for the Bronx, focusing on equity-driven leadership and cross-school collaboration.

Dr. Porter holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in cross cultural literature from Hunter College, a Master of Arts in educational leadership from Mercy College, and an EdD from Fordham University. She serves on the several non profit boards including The Urban Assembly, New Visions for Public Schools, NYC Kids Rise, Education Through Music, Literacy Academy Collective, and buildOn. She lives in the Bronx, with her family and remains deeply invested in the borough’s schools, communities, and future.