Biography

Darren Reed is an accomplished senior executive with over three decades of experience in both public and private sector education, as well as in business development and policy advocacy. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Stride Professional Development at Stride, Inc. (formerly K12, Inc.), where he is the founding leader of the e-commerce platform offering on-demand, mobile-friendly professional development courses for educators. Under his leadership, Stride Professional Development has emerged as a leading provider of online educator training in the rapidly growing e-learning market. Darren oversees all business operations, including product development, customer acquisition, marketing, sales, and go-to-market strategies.

Prior to founding Stride Professional Development, Darren held several executive roles within Stride, including Senior Vice President of the company’s largest managed schools region. In this capacity, he led strategic operations for 19 blended and online K-12 schools across 12 states, managing a workforce of 3,500 employees and a $600 million revenue portfolio. Darren developed growth strategies for existing schools and spearheaded expansion into new states, fostering operational excellence and fiscal accountability. His leadership has been key to driving school performance, innovation, and student success. He also served as Vice President of School Leadership Development and Vice President of Blended Schools, where he pioneered innovative school models and initiatives that leveraged technology to enhance educational access and meet the needs of diverse student populations.

Darren's earlier leadership experience includes his tenure as Executive Director of the Aspiring Principals Program at New Leaders, where he redesigned the organization’s flagship leadership development program. His efforts expanded the nation’s next generation of education leaders, particularly in under-served communities. Through his work, he contributed to transforming schools across the country, particularly in cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and San Jose, where his innovative blended school models reshaped educational reform and broadened learning options for students.

Beyond his executive roles, Darren is a dedicated advocate for educational policy that expands opportunities for under-served communities. He has testified in various states on the value of innovative education models and school choice, and since 2015, he has represented Stride as a member of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ Annual Conference, participating actively in the Education Sub-Committee. In this role, Darren has collaborated with policymakers to expand access to innovative education models, such as "smart city" technology, career readiness programs, and increased funding for schools in urban areas.

Darren’s career began as an award-winning teacher in Newport News, VA, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 1997 for his work transforming student outcomes in under-resourced communities. He later became a principal in Fairfax County and Alexandria City Public Schools, where he continued his work improving academic performance and leadership development. Darren has also consulted for schools and districts nationwide, focusing on improving outcomes for marginalized students.

As a first-generation college graduate from East Cleveland, Ohio, Darren has a personal understanding of the challenges faced by under-resourced communities. He is driven by the belief that all children are uniquely gifted and that untapped potential exists in every community. His life’s work is centered on identifying and nurturing this talent, empowering both individuals and organizations to unlock the brilliance within all students.

Darren holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from George Washington University, a Master’s in Education Leadership, Policy, and Planning from The College of William and Mary, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Hiram College in Ohio. He is a guest lecturer at George Washington University and resides in Virginia with his wife and two children.