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Rick Cruz
CEO of Arabella Advisors
Rick Cruz is a prominent figure in the education and nonprofit sectors, currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.23 Here's an overview of his background and career:
Education and Early Career
Rick Cruz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Yale University between 1991 and 1995.1 After graduating, he began his professional career in the private sector, working as a director at The Advisory Board Company from 1995 to 1997, followed by a decade-long tenure at Corporate Executive Board (now known as Gartner) from 1997 to 2007.1
Experience in Education and Nonprofits
Cruz has held several leadership positions in education-focused organizations:
- Vice President at Teach for America (2007-2010)1
- Chief Field Officer at Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (2010-2012)1
- CEO of DC Prep, a network of public charter schools in Washington, D.C. (2012-2013)1
- Co-leader of Education and Youth Practice at FSG Inc. (2014-2015)1
- Vice President at America's Promise Alliance (2015-2017)1
- Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at The College Board (2017-2020)1
Current Roles and Commitments
Rick Cruz is deeply committed to advancing equity in education and holds several significant positions:
- Chair of the Board at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (current)2
- Board member of Instruction Partners (since 2017)1
- Treasurer of the D.C. Public Charter School Board (current, previously served as Chair)12
- Board member at Goodwill of Greater Washington2
Recent Leadership
Until recently, Cruz served as the President and CEO of Arabella Advisors, a mission-driven professional services firm focused on addressing global challenges.12 In this role, he led the executive team and guided strategy and operations to expand the firm's reach and impact.
Rick Cruz is known for his expertise in organizational management, governance, partnerships, strategic planning, and external relations.2 He is a frequent speaker on public education and reform efforts, leveraging his extensive experience in the education and nonprofit sectors to contribute to discussions on improving educational access and quality.
