Karen Dresden is an education leader with a 25+ year track record of achieving results while centering equity and mission-centered leadership practices. Karen is the co-founder of Capital City Public Charter School and served as Head of School through June 2023. Karen was involved in all aspects of the initial start-up, facilitated growth and expansion, led the design of the high school program, and managed the renovation of a state-of-the art facility. Under Karen’s leadership, Capital City became an award-winning model for school reform boasting over 600 graduates, a 100% college acceptance rate, and a college graduation rate for first generation students that significantly exceeded the national average. Karen now coaches leaders and consults with organizations and governing boards. She is a Certified Professional Diversity Coach and a Board Source certified non-profit board consultant. Karen has her M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Harvard University, her M.S. Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and her B.A. in Public Policy Studies from Duke University. She is a long-term DC resident and mother to a teenage son.
Girls Global Academy Public Charter School
Because You Matter: The premier training ground for high school girls in the areas of global citizenship, Business and Engineering in Washington, DC.
