David leads a portfolio of school design projects focused on new geographies and innovative solutions, and also coordinates Transcend’s work related to state and federal policy. Prior to coming to Transcend, David served as Interim Executive Director and Chief of Staff of Two Rivers, a network of Expeditionary Learning public charter schools in Washington, DC. David oversaw the implementation of the systems and processes that enabled Two Rivers to successfully expand from a single site to a network of three high-performing schools, resulting in a 55% reduction in the student suspension rate, a 30% decline in staff attrition, and the network’s highest staff culture survey data in four years.

David came to Two Rivers from New York City, where he spent four years helping to lead Public Prep, a network of high-performing public charter schools located in the Bronx and Manhattan. David oversaw Public Prep’s assessment, data, and accountability systems, served as Interim Chief Academic Officer, and designed and led the network’s inaugural summer school program. Prior to joining Public Prep, David worked at KIPP:NY, The New Teacher Project, and taught 7th and 8th grade humanities at a district school in the South Bronx.  David has also supported charter schools across the country as a faculty member at Replicating Quality Schools, a strategic planning program for growing charter networks. 

David earned a BA in History from Yale University, a PhD in Education Policy and MA in Economics of Education from Columbia University Teachers College, and an MS in Teaching of Secondary Social Studies from Fordham University. He is also a former Teach for America corps member and Education Pioneers Fellow.