Ana Tilton’s career demonstrates a commitment to equity with experience across the education spectrum, including service as a K-12 educator, school leader, superintendent, adjunct professor, and board member. In each role, she remained dedicated to developing quality school options for systemically underserved learners. Ana presently serves as Vice President for Linked Learning Alliance where she leads the Alliance’s organizational effectiveness strategies to support a growing team, while operationalizing equity and belonging within policies, practices, and culture. Before joining the Alliance, she served six years as the Executive Director for Grantmakers for Education. During her tenure with the organization, she collaborated with hundreds of philanthropic organizations focused on investing in equitable education solutions for all learners.
Ana’s leadership began as a teacher and principal in the Denver Public Schools. After moving to California, she served as an assistant superintendent in the Chula Vista School District and a superintendent in the Soquel School District. Her successes provided opportunities to serve learners and communities through statewide cross-sector collaboration between schools, institutions of higher learning, and employers to provide meaningful college and career pathways. Philanthropic partners played a critical role in creating sustainable partnerships and quality school options. Ana worked through various non-profit organizations as an intermediary for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She also served as the Chief Program Officer for Educate Texas (Texas High School Project) investing in innovative solutions while providing technical assistance to educators.
After decades of executive-level experiences and academic preparation in the U.S. and abroad, Ana continues her quest to make a difference in the lives of students who are furthest from opportunity. As a Latina and first-generation college student, she brings personal and professional awareness to the Alliance’s coherent approach to education transformation.
Ana received a doctoral degree in education administration and policy from the University of Southern California, and a master’s degree in multicultural/bilingual education from the University of Colorado, Denver.