Lauren Norton

Lauren Norton joined ESG in 2019 to support the postsecondary transitions portfolio. As an Associate Director, she provides technical assistance to states on aligning policies across their K-12 and higher education systems to ensure that all students have the academic and navigational supports they need to be successful.

Prior to joining ESG, Lauren served as an Innovation Strategist at the District of Columbia Public Schools. From evaluating the district’s school-based professional development program to designing community-driven approaches to school transformation, she supported numerous initiatives that leveraged cross-sector partnerships to reimagine the school experience. Lauren has also conducted research on collective impact models for the Harvard EdRedesign Lab, led by former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville, and taught English for four years at an international high school.

Lauren earned a master’s degree in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri.

Why are you in this work?

As our economy has rapidly changed over the past century, our education system hasn’t always kept pace. We are at a critical time where we need to work together to build a collective vision for the future–one that is grounded in providing equitable access and opportunity for communities that have been historically underserved. At ESG, I am excited to partner closely with policymakers and practitioners from across the country to help shape that vision.

Why ESG?

In transitioning from the classroom to a district office to ESG, an organization with a national footprint, I am driven by the potential scale of impact our work can have for students.