Matt Lyons

Matt Lyons is the Chief Financial & Operations Officer at Hope Chicago, a nonprofit startup dedicated to providing debt-free postsecondary education to Chicago students and their families.13 He has held this position since October 2021.12

Prior to joining Hope Chicago, Lyons served as the Chief Talent Officer at Chicago Public Schools for nearly six years, where he focused on increasing teacher diversity and ensuring equitable distribution of top teaching talent.3 His career in education also includes roles such as:

• Chief Operating Officer at The Chicago Public Education Fund
• Deputy Chief, Office of Strategic School Support Services at Chicago Public Schools
• Chief of Staff, Talent Office at Chicago Public Schools1

Lyons holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Rochester, a Master's degree in Urban Education Policy from Brown University, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the Broad Center for the Management of School Systems.13 He is also an alumnus of Education Pioneers and a former Broad Resident.3

Throughout his career, Lyons has demonstrated a commitment to improving educational opportunities for students in Chicago. He played a key role in launching the "Opportunity Schools" program at Chicago Public Schools, which aimed to address staffing challenges in high-need schools and improve teacher retention rates.4