A Note From Teach For America's Board Chair
Dear Teach For America Community,
Teach For America’s Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the appointment of Aneesh Sohoni as the new Chief Executive Officer of Teach For America!
Students. Families. Communities. That is what Aneesh describes as inspiring and driving him every day. They're also the focus of Teach For America, as we seek to create a world where every child receives an excellent education.
Aneesh has spent his 15-year career working to create more opportunities for every child in communities across the Twin Cities, Tennessee, Camden, Boston, Greater Chicago, and Northwest Indiana. That work, those communities, and the students, families, educators, and partners he worked alongside have shaped Aneesh’s leadership, uniquely positioning him for this role.
The Board reached the unanimous decision that Aneesh is the best choice to be our CEO because he is both realistic in his assessment of the challenges in our education system and audaciously confident about the change that is possible, particularly when we believe deeply in the potential of every child.

As he prepares to lead TFA’s next chapter, Aneesh believes that the organization’s 35 years of experience and proximity to students, families, and school systems in more than 300 diverse communities positions TFA to be a leader. He sees opportunities to help shape the future of education nationally, drive impact through local investments, and support our network of leaders - including our alumni - as they grow their impact.
Aneesh has served as the Executive Director for TFA Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana, and he has worked in the public and nonprofit sectors supporting education efforts, including with the Tennessee Department of Education and TNTP. In his most recent role as the Chief Executive Officer of One Million Degrees, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility, Aneesh and his team have significantly expanded the organization’s reach and impact, nearly quadrupling the number of participating students and improving the retention and graduation rates and long-term career success of those students. His leadership has influenced the lives of countless students and set a standard for civic leadership within the education sector. This work has earned him considerable recognition: Aneesh received the 2024 Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership and earlier in his career was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 for education. He is a Pahara Fellow, a 2019 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, and a member of The Economic Club of Chicago.
“When I was in the corps, I just saw how incredible our students are, all their potential, and all the challenges students face in our unjust system. To this day it is the role that most shaped my view of the world.”
Among all of his accomplishments, Aneesh describes being a TFA corps member, teaching high school English in the Twin Cities, as the role that most shaped his view of the world.
That experience and the fact that his life was changed when he met his students is a familiar story for our alumni. And it is why Aneesh is excited to come back home and re-join the Teach For America team as our network of more than 70,000 alumni, corps members, tutors, and staff continues to meet this moment for communities and accelerate the impact of recent years. Aneesh will build on TFA’s momentum and move the organization forward with confidence and conviction toward our 2030 goals in every community where we work.
Aneesh will officially assume the role of CEO on April 15, and the months ahead will allow him the time he needs to wrap up his current work and spend important time with family, while also partnering with Elisa on a thoughtful transition for TFA. I know I speak on behalf of the entire TFA community when I say we are extremely grateful to Elisa for her 27 years of leadership and commitment. The Board is confident in TFA’s future because Elisa has shown us what is possible alongside an amazing world-class team, and Aneesh has the vision to carry that impact forward, building on the current momentum to benefit all children.
I hope you’ll join me in congratulating Aneesh and welcoming him into his new role!
David Kenny
Chair, Teach For America Board of Directors