Susanna Cooper

Before joining the School of Education to initiate Wheelhouse, Ms. Cooper served as an independent consultant and as longtime advisor on pre-K-to-14 education issues for the leader of the California State Senate. In that role, she shaped and shepherded the Pro Tem’s education agenda, provided counsel on education budget matters, and led multi-year campaigns to increase quality pre-kindergarten opportunities for low-income children, reduce the number of high school dropouts, and strengthen high school-post-secondary pathways. She is a Special Advisor to the Stuart Foundation, Chair of the Board of Directors of the James B. McClatchy Foundation, a Director of the nonprofit Ten Strands, past President of the Board of EdSource, and brings deep experience in project management, policy advocacy, communications, government relations and philanthropy.