Dr. Paris Woods is an award-winning education leader, social entrepreneur, and advocate for financial empowerment, dedicated to driving positive change in education and economic mobility. With over two decades of experience in various educational settings, Dr. Woods has established a track record of innovation, leadership, and impact.

Dr. Woods's commitment to education is reflected in her roles as a senior leader across multiple education nonprofits. Her leadership has spanned the development and leadership of diverse and high-performing teams, resulting in increased access to high-wage, high-growth career pathways and postsecondary credentials. With a strong emphasis on equitable outcomes, Paris has managed multi-million-dollar budgets and built cohesive teams dedicated to fostering positive change.

As the Co-Founder and Executive Director of College Beyond, Dr. Woods addressed the critical need for college success among low-income youth. Her innovative strategies led to impressive results, including unprecedented increases in first-year college retention rates. Notably, she was recognized for her exceptional leadership by The Gambit's 40 Under 40, Millennial Award in Education, and Tulane University Hometown Hero, among others.

Dr. Woods is also the #1 bestselling author of The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom, which has not only empowered thousands but has also gained widespread recognition. With over 70,000 copies sold and endorsements from leading financial experts, including Lynnette Khalfani-Cox and Ryan Frailich, Dr. Woods has created a movement that reshapes financial narratives.

Dr. Woods currently serves at Chief Program Officer for StriveTogether, a national movement with a clear purpose: helping every child succeed in school and in life from cradle to career, regardless of race, ethnicity, zip code or circumstance. As CPO, she leads impact acceleration and scale to create better, faster and more equitable outcomes for youth across the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network and beyond.

Outside her professional accomplishments, Dr. Woods remains deeply engaged in her community. She serves on the boards of Believe STL Academy, 4.0 Schools, and College Beyond, further amplifying her commitment to advancing educational equity. She is also an adjunct faculty member of educational leadership at Tulane University. Dr. Woods earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Harvard University, and her doctorate in education from The University of Texas at Austin.