Melissa Kim has spent nearly 30 years at the intersection of ambitious vision and practical transformation — building, redesigning, and strengthening education systems from the inside out. As a principal, charter leader, district deputy chancellor, philanthropic investor, and strategic advisor, she has been driven by an enduring belief that rigorous academics, genuine belonging, and human development are not competing priorities but inseparable ones.
As Deputy Chancellor of DC Public Schools, she led more than 100 schools through one of the district's most consequential periods of change — designing a districtwide Multi-Tiered System of Supports, launching a Cluster Support Model to align instructional leadership across the city, and launching a city-wide high school redesign initiative focused on college persistence and career readiness. This work contributed to DCPS outpacing peer urban districts in post-pandemic academic recovery.
Earlier in her career, Melissa transformed DC's largest middle school as Principal eliminating tracked remedial programs, launching the city's first IB for All initiative, and building a culture where high expectations and deep belonging were mutually reinforcing. She also helped found DC International School as a founding board member, creating more than 1,600 new IB Dual Language seats for DC students. As Chief Academic Officer at KIPP DC, she redesigned leadership preparation, strengthened academic integration, and rebuilt special education supports to be more responsive and inclusive.
She has supported strengthening the field through philanthropic investment at NewSchools Venture Fund and the Gates Foundation, backing leaders and organizations committed to transforming what schools can be.
Melissa currently serves as a Partner at Volution Advisors and as Board Chair of Believe Schools. She holds a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, a master's from Trinity College, and a bachelor's from Colby College.