Alexandria, VA — The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) Board of Directors has named Paolo DeMaria as its next president and CEO. DeMaria most recently served as Ohio’s superintendent of public instruction and brings 30 years in state education policymaking, organizational leadership, and strategic planning to NASBE. He becomes NASBE’s president and CEO in January 2022.
“During the selection process, NASBE was able to model what it means to be member driven and member centric,” said Byron Ernest, NASBE board chair. “Our leadership transition committee, ably led by Illinois State Board of Education chair Darren Reisberg, identified an outstanding pool of candidates from which the board of directors could choose. And we are thrilled to secure Paolo DeMaria as our next chief executive. Paolo is a passionate, nationally regarded leader with a track record of working effectively with state board of education members.”
DeMaria believes everyone shares a responsibility for preparing children for successful futures. In his five years as Ohio’s state chief, DeMaria’s proudest accomplishment was the collaborative development of Each Child, Our Future, Ohio’s strategic plan for education. DeMaria and Ohio’s state board together set a vision for public education that elevates the needs of the “whole child” to ensure that every student is challenged to discover and learn, prepared to pursue a fulfilling postsecondary path, and empowered to become a resilient, lifelong learner and citizen. DeMaria focused on improving literacy outcomes, developing and promoting a whole child framework, supporting and elevating teacher excellence and leadership, and promoting career-technical education and stronger business-education partnerships. He also advanced the work of equity in Ohio’s education system.
DeMaria hopes to help all NASBE member states realize their visions for equity and excellence in public education.
“I worked with nearly 50 dedicated public servants on Ohio’s state board during my time there,” DeMaria said. “They placed students at the heart of every policy decision. The role of the state board is vitally important in policymaking and advocacy, and in driving excellence and success in education. When guided by a strategic vision focused on meeting the needs of all students, the cause of equity and excellence in public education can be advanced and realized. I am honored to be NASBE’s next president and CEO.”
DeMaria will lead continued implementation of NASBE’s strategic plan, focused on empowering members with the services and tools they need to create the conditions for all students in their states to achieve excellence across multiple domains. “I am confident in Paolo DeMaria’s ability to advance NASBE’s strategic plan and continue the personal growth and development of NASBE’s incredible professional staff,” Ernest said. “I know we will have a seamless transition and maintain NASBE’s commitment to empowering members to be effective citizen leaders with equity at the center of our work.”
Before becoming Ohio’s state chief, DeMaria directed the state’s Office of Budget and Management and was chief policy advisor to former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft and executive vice chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. He also spent six years as principal consultant for Education First Consulting.
DeMaria succeeds Robert Hull, who will be retiring in December after serving as NASBE’s president and CEO since 2018 and previously as its deputy director.
NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.
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