Dia Bryant, Ed.L.D.
Executive Director at The Education Trust-New York
Dia is the executive director at The Education Trust–New York. In that role, she leads an ambitious policy and advocacy agenda focused on improving educational outcomes for children from early childhood through college.
Prior to joining Ed Trust–NY, Dia worked with the New York City Department of Education in multiple capacities for over sixteen years. She was a teacher, school founder, and most recently served as the special assistant to the first deputy chancellor. She has worked and supported system-level school leaders domestically and internationally advising on instructional approaches, school design, equitable school improvement, and change management.
Dia is a Detroit native. She holds a bachelors in Economics from Kalamazoo College and a Masters in Math Education from Brooklyn College. Dia most recently earned a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In her free time she enjoys following all things Beyoncé and playing with her young children.
Weakness
Beyoncé Anything . . .
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I’m a major extrovert and foodie! I love restaurants with friends or alone (because I will always find something interesting to do or talk about).
What are people most surprised to learn about you?
I used to ride a sports bike (GSXR 600) and once worked at a skydiving ranch in Australia.
What drew you to education?
Education was a natural fit for me! I was an insatiable reader as a child – particularly fond of R.L. Stein and The Baby Sitters’ Club. As a young adult, math had answers when life did not so I fell in love calculus.
Why are you passionate about working at Ed Trust?
As a young girl, I lived in the opportunity gaps that we work to close. I was fortunate to encounter people who cared enough to create opportunities for my siblings and I. As a teacher and principal in New York City, I witnessed the achievement and opportunity gaps up close and find working at The Education Trust as a perfect collision of everything I love – education, research, data, equity, and opportunity.