Meet Kate Anderson Foley, Ph.D.

Consultant. Coach. Thought Partner. Author.

McLean Affiliate of Harvard Medical School Institute of Coaching Fellow.

Kate Anderson Foley, PhD, gives a presentation at a podium
Dr. Kate Anderson Foley's book, Ida Finds Her Voice, on display in a classroom
Kate Anderson Foley, PhD, is seated in a black armchair
Kate Anderson Foley, PhD, gives a presentation in a boardroom
Kate Anderson Foley, PhD, working on a laptop at her desk
Dr. Kate Anderson Foley at a book signing for her book, Ida Finds Her Voice
Dr. Kate Anderson Foley's book, Ida Finds Her Voice, and a stuffed Smalls the Owl doll
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Known for breaking down barriers.

Widely known for her work in breaking down barriers for children who have historically been marginalized, she began her career as a special education teacher, pioneering inclusive practices.

As Assistant Superintendent for the Illinois State Board of Education, she oversaw services to more than 852 school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Her deep understanding of equity-based school funding contributed to the legislative reform model for the State of Illinois where she represented the Illinois State Board of Education for various gubernatorial Cabinet Initiatives and was an expert contributor to the Every Student Succeeds Act.

The logo mark for Education Policy & Privacy Group. It is a series of red, orange, yellow, and purple circles arranged in three circles nested inside each other.

Deeply committed to social justice.

Kate transforms deficit-based systems into equity-focused organizations at every level of federal, state, and local agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofits. Her expertise is widely admired by professional communities, government legislators, nonprofits, and leaders seeking executive coaching.

The logo mark for Education Policy & Privacy Group. It is a series of red, orange, yellow, and purple circles arranged in three circles nested inside each other.

An accomplished author.

Kate is the author of numerous articles and books. Her most recent contribution of published work includes Fearless Coaching, Resilience and Results from the Classroom to the Boardroom. She is also the author of Ida Finds Her Voice, an illustrated book written to help children make sense of discrimination and prejudice.

Kate Anderson Foley, PhD, stands in a hallway holding her book, Ida Finds Her Voice
The logo mark for Education Policy & Privacy Group. It is a series of red, orange, yellow, and purple circles arranged in three circles nested inside each other.

Guiding Principles:

From policy to practice

The Elementary & Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Americans with Disability Act are meant to provide equity to the seat of learning. Each Act is dependent upon the other to provide the most powerful educational resources and governance to ensure that every child is prepared for life. 

Collectively, we have the potential to interrupt current deficit-based systems by emphasizing and addressing opportunity gaps for all children, inclusive of students with disabilities, English learners, early childhood, and advanced learners. 

Creating an equitable system that recognizes each child as a capable learner first, helps to avoid imposing restrictive labels that lead to low expectations.

We look at how the student is smart and how our systems can meet the needs of every child.