Karen Dresden is an education leader with a 25+ year track record of achieving results while centering equity and mission-centered leadership practices. Karen is the co-founder of Capital City Public Charter School, a diverse PK-12 school in Washington, DC, and served as Head of School through June 2023. Karen was involved in all aspects of the initial start-up, facilitated growth and expansion, led the design of the high school program, and managed the renovation of a state-of-the art facility. Under Karen’s leadership, Capital City became an award-winning model for school reform boasting over 600 graduates, a 100% college acceptance rate, and a college graduation rate for first generation students that significantly exceeded the national average. Karen now coaches leaders and consults with organizations and governing boards. She is a Certified Professional Diversity Coach and a Board Source certified non-profit board consultant. Karen was a 2022 Pahara Fellow and a 2023 Seeding Disruption Fellow.
