Tom Vander Ark

Tom Vander Ark is an advocate for innovations in learning, serving as CEO of Getting Smart where he advises schools, districts, networks, foundations, and learning organizations. A prolific writer and speaker, he is the author of books including Getting Smart, Smart Cities That Work for Everyone, Smart Parents, Better Together, The Power of Place, and Difference Making at the Heart of Learning. Previously, he was the first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a public school superintendent in Washington State, and held roles in engineering, energy finance, technology, and retail.