Anna Kimsey Edwards brings over a decade of experience in state and local policy to Whiteboard Advisors’ national advocacy practice

WASHINGTON, D.C.—April 11, 2017—Whiteboard Advisors, a unique strategic consulting and communications agency focused on helping entrepreneurs and organizations make an impact in highly regulated fields, today announced the promotion of Anna Kimsey Edwards to Chief Advocacy Officer. With offices in Washington, D.C. and Silicon Valley, the firm specializes in supporting the communication, policy, and advocacy needs of mission-oriented businesses and social impact organizations, including Code.org, General Assembly, and the University Innovation Alliance.

Edwards joined Whiteboard Advisors in 2005 and most recently served as the firm’s Executive Vice President and Director of Advocacy. With more than a decade of experience at the intersection of state and local education policy, she has developed public-private partnerships on behalf of some of the most impactful organizations in both K-12 and higher education. A product of the Atlanta public school system, Edwards works closely with urban school leaders to navigate national policy shifts and make sense of an increasingly complex education technology landscape.

“Anna has been at the center of building out a unique set of capabilities to support organizations with the potential to address complicated and critical education challenges,” said Whiteboard Advisors co-founder Ben Wallerstein. “She has developed a reputation as a leader at the intersection of policy and innovation, with a deep commitment to issues of access and equity.”

Whiteboard Advisors designs breakthrough communications strategies, conducts specialized research, and helps organizations navigate public policy. The firm was recently named one of the top organizations in Washington making an impact in education. As Chief Advocacy Officer, Edwards will draw upon the resources of a bipartisan team of experts, including former teacher and North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue, New York Times best-selling author Jeff Selingo, and former National Governors Association executive Sarah Silverman.

“Anna has made her mark, breaking down barriers and establishing herself as a go-to advisor for organizations bringing new thinking to long-term policy issues,” said former North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue. “I know Anna and her team will continue to inspire policymakers and entrepreneurs alike to consider new approaches that create meaningful opportunities for learners.”

Whiteboard Advisors regularly publishes policy and market research, including Whiteboard Notes, which is read by thousands of education experts and commentators each week. The firm’s Education Insider survey, which covers policy trends, debates, and issues from the handful of decision-makers who are driving the process, has been cited by The Washington Post and Newsweek, among others.

“In highly charged, fragmented markets like education, health, and wellness, entrepreneurs face complex and unexpected barriers,” said Edwards. “Our team is committed to helping organizations bridge the gap between new ideas and the policies that can help them take root and make an impact.”

Beyond W/A, Edwards serves as vice-chair on the board of national nonprofit mindSpark Learning. She has also advised the National Cherry Blossom Festival as chair of the festival’s primary fundraising event for four years, and has served as a local advisory board member to Jumpstart, an early childhood organization. Edwards earned a bachelor’s degree in history magna cum laude from Yale University.

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About Whiteboard Advisors

Whiteboard Advisors is a unique strategic consulting and communications firm. Our team brings an unmatched understanding of the media, market, and policy landscapes to bear on strategy. From offices in Washington, DC, and Silicon Valley, we create award-winning communications strategies, conduct policy and market research, and navigate complex regulatory issues. www.whiteboardadvisors.com