Pedro Martinez is CEO of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). He is nationally recognized school district leader with a proven track record of increasing student achievement while closing opportunity gaps for our students of color and poverty. Under his leadership, CPS has the a record graduation rate with students earning a record level of scholarships leading to college enrollment rates that exceed other large urban school districts in the country. Pedro also serves as the Board Chair for Chiefs for Change, a nonprofit, bipartisan network of diverse state and district education chiefs. Prior to joining CPS, Pedro was the Superintendent of the San Antonio School District (SAISD). Under his leadership, SAISD became the fastest improving school district in Texas. He led the implementation of innovative school practices and school models resulting in academic achievement out performing the State and other districts despite the district have a poverty rate of over 90%. Before coming to SAISD, Pedro was superintendent-in-residence for the Nevada Department of Education. Prior to that, he served as superintendent for the 64,000-student Washoe County School District, covering the Reno, Nevada area. He also previously served as chief financial officer at Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s third-largest school district, under the leadership of Arne Duncan, the former U.S. Secretary of Education. Pedro has more than 30 years of experience in the private, nonprofit and public education sectors. He holds an M.B.A. from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Superintendent Certification from the University of Texas, San Antonio. He holds Superintendent licenses in Texas and Illinois.