Justin Draeger

Justin Draeger is a recognized thought leader in postsecondary education and works as the Senior Vice President of Affordability at Strada Education Foundation. In this leadership role, he works with Strada partners nationwide to drive transformative change in reducing the price of a quality post-high school education, increasing awareness about financial aid, and supporting state and institutional strategies that connect financial aid to talent and workforce development. Draeger has worked in the postsecondary affordability and accessibility space for over two decades. Dedicated to aiding underserved populations, Draeger has committed most of his career to the idea that because of the transformative power of education, it should be as accessible as possible. Immediately before his appointment at Strada, he served for 14 years as the President and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). In that role, he was the principal liaison between NASFAA members, the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and the media. Since 2002, Draeger has been a key player in administering, interpreting, communicating, and shaping student financial aid policy. His diverse experience includes roles as a director of financial aid, regulatory and policy analyst, and spokesperson, along with senior positions in government relations, communications, and policy development.