DPS Foundation Launches Corporate Leaders for Public Education

On May 11, 2022, the Durham Public Schools Foundation will launch Corporate Leaders for Public Education, a new network of companies that are collaborating with the Foundation and DPS to build strategic corporate partnerships with our public school district. As competition for jobs and talent in the region grows, it’s more important than ever that our public schools and employers representing growing industries are working together to ensure students growing up in Durham today are ready for the jobs that will shape Durham’s future. 

The founding corporate leaders in the network are: Rho, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Fidelity Investments, Pacific Western Bank, Novartis, Duke University & Duke Health, Eli Lilly, and Triangle Ecycling. The group is co-chaired by Geoff Durham, President of Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Laura Helms-Reese, CEO of Rho, and Zack Hawkins, Co-Chair of the DPS Foundation Board. All three of the co-chairs are also current DPS parents. The group is also led by Adam Klein, Director at American Tobacco Campus and American Underground, and Ray Trapp, VP of Strategic Engagement-Research Triangle Foundation. 

“Public schools are key to ensuring Durham's future prosperity and to ensure that prosperity is shared and equitable. As our region experiences rapid growth and increasing competition for talent, we need robust, strategic, and aligned investment from the business community in our public schools. This is our moment to go all in for public schools. Corporate Leaders for Public Education creates a network of Durham’s business leaders who value the importance of our public schools and are excited to collaborate on creating new strategic partnerships with our public schools,” says Adam Klein, who is Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Board and Co-Chair of the DPS Foundation Board as well as a DPS parent. 

The partner companies in Corporate Leaders for Public Education will have annual convenings with DPS and DPS Foundation leadership about aligning strategic priorities and will work together to create new opportunities for corporate partnership with DPS. These companies also serve an important leadership role as public ambassadors for the importance of investing in Durham Public Schools and they make a sustained financial commitment to DPS Foundation. 

“The business leaders in our community know better than anyone how our changing workforce landscape needs to inform the ways we prepare students growing up in Durham today to be the future leaders in their industries. That is why I am excited for the creation of DPS Foundation’s Corporate Leaders for Public Education to serve in this important leadership capacity that will support and strengthen our public schools,” said DPS Superintendent Pascal Mubenga. 

Corporate Leaders for Public Education leverage collective impact in strengthening and accelerating innovation in Durham’s public schools. The network will grow to include more companies representing diverse industries that make-up Durham’s workforce. Companies that are interested in learning more about opportunities to partner can reach DPS Foundation’s Executive Director, Magan Gonzales-Smith, at magan@bullcityschools.org

For more information about the Corporate Leaders for Public Education, you can visit www.bullcityschools.org.

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More About DPS Foundation

DPS Foundation launched in September 2018 as a community-led effort to support and help transform Durham’s public schools.

DPS Foundation (DPSF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that unites DPS school communities, public- and private-sector resources and community leaders around strategies to strengthen Durham Public Schools for all students. DPSF is led by community and business leaders and DPS students, educators, alums, and parents who share a deeply held belief that we can fulfill the promise of public education in Durham. Through DPSF, everyone in Durham can invest in Durham Public Schools students, educators and families. Learn more at www.bullcityschools.org.

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