Don Daves-Rougeaux

Don Daves-Rougeaux is a systemic change agent with over 30 years of experience advancing equity and innovation across education, government, and philanthropy. He currently serves as the Senior Advisor to the California Community College Chancellor on Workforce Development, Strategic Partnerships, and Generative AI. In this role, Don drives system-wide transformation by aligning workforce initiatives with Vision 2030, forging critical alliances, and spearheading AI integration through the Chancellor's AI Council, the Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation and Equity, planning of the annual Futures Summit and managing the systems AI Fellows program.A champion for bridging opportunity gaps, Don previously managed $28 million to scale equity-driven career pathways as the Regional K14 TAP for the Bay Area Community College Consortium. His distinguished executive career includes serving as the Associate Director of Admissions at the UC Office of the President—where he founded the UC Curriculum Integration Institute (UCCI), VP of Higher Ed and Employer Engagement at the Linked Learning Alliance, and National Executive Director for AP & SAT Policy at the College Board.Committed to broad social impact, Don serves as an Ambassador for Battery Powered, distributing $4.5 million annually to social justice nonprofits, served six years on the Board of the Fund for Santa Barbara a social justice and climate action community foundation and currently serves as an strategic advisor for the Whitefish, MT Westland Impact Festival. His steward-leadership approach is deeply grounded in his foundational K-20 experiences: 12 years of high school teaching, including serving as department chair at the Dunn School; acting as an adjunct professor for Educational Leadership at UC Santa Barbara; and coaching track and cross country at both the high school and Division I levels. Don holds a BA from Fresno State University and an MS from Capella University, consistently leveraging his multifaceted background to revolutionize education policy.