Richard Barth

Richard Barth is president and CEO of the KIPP Foundation. KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools.Since December 2005, he has overseen the doubling of the network from 45 to 99 schools, expanded KIPP’s leadership development programs, advocated for high-performing charter schools on Capitol Hill, and secured over $160 million in new, long-term philanthropic commitments, including $65 million from the federal government.

Since joining KIPP as CEO in December 2005, Richard has led the significant growth of the KIPP network from 45 to 200 schools, from 8,000 to 80,000 students, and from 400 to over 12,000 alumni. Under Richard’s leadership, KIPP has dramatically expanded its leadership development programs, advocated for high-performing charter schools on Capitol Hill, and secured partnerships with more than 80 colleges and universities.

Richard came to KIPP from Edison Schools, where he served as President of District Partnerships and managed school partnerships serving more than 40,000 students. Prior to joining Edison, Richard was one of the founding staff members of Teach For America.

Richard earned a BA in American History from Harvard University, and is an Aspen Institute-New Schools Fellow. He also currently sits on the board of directors of Braven and General Assembly. Richard was named a 2014 Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year and Harvard University’s Chief Marshal for 2014. Richard lives in New York with his wife and children.

Before his leadership at KIPP, Barth served as president of district partnerships at Edison Schools, where he managed school partnerships serving over 40,000 students. Prior to joining Edison, Barth was a founding staff member of Teach For America. He currently sits on the board of directors of The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems and Be the Change, Inc. and is president of the KIPP Foundation board of directors. Barth is an Aspen Institute-NewSchools Fellow.