Christine Avery, Ed.D.
Dr. Christine Avery is an accomplished executive leader in professional education and talent development, with over two decades of experience guiding large-scale transformation across public and charter school systems. She currently serves as Executive Director of School and Leadership Success in Washington, overseeing 14 schools, more than 1,700 staff, and a $140M combined budget within one of the state’s largest districts. Christine is known for her ability to translate strategic vision into disciplined execution, build leadership capacity, and drive measurable improvement in student outcomes and organizational performance. Throughout her career, Christine has held senior leadership positions at multiple educational organizations, including Green Dot Public Schools and Everett Public Schools. She has led large-scale initiatives in leadership development, professional learning, curriculum strategy, and equity-focused instructional improvement. Her expertise includes coaching principals and district leaders, implementing continuous improvement systems, and navigating complex stakeholder and labor relationships. Christine has also contributed to the broader education community as an adjunct professor and national presenter, sharing her insights on instructional leadership and organizational effectiveness. Christine’s work is informed by a strong foundation in educational leadership. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seattle University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from City University of Seattle. She is a licensed superintendent and principal in Washington State and has built award-winning leadership pipelines, implemented data-driven systems, and overseen multimillion-dollar budgets with fiscal stewardship. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Christine is committed to fostering equity and excellence in education, developing leaders who can thrive in complex, mission-driven environments, and supporting initiatives that ensure every learner has access to high-quality educational opportunities.
• Washington State Superintendent Certificate
• Principal Certificate (P-12), Teacher Certificate
• Seattle University, Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Leadership
• City University, Masters of Education, Educational Leadership
• Bachelor of Arts, Biology
What do you attribute your success to?
“My success comes from staying rooted in why I entered education in the first place—students and families—while being willing to grow beyond the classroom. I’ve learned to navigate complex systems, advocate for my work, and make hard decisions with both compassion and accountability. I’ve also been shaped by challenges that required resilience, perspective, and courage, which ultimately made me a stronger leader.”
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“The best career advice I ever received was to stop waiting to be noticed and start making my impact visible. As a teacher, I focused on doing the work well. Moving into district leadership required learning how to translate that work into outcomes, speak up for it, and step into opportunities before I felt fully ready.”
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Women are conditioned to over-prepare and under-claim. If you’re doing the work, you’re qualified for the title. Apply early. Raise your hand. Speak before your idea gets validated by someone else.
Confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a practice.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Across the board—federal, state, and local—education funding is unstable.
• Federal funding priorities shift with each reauthorization, making long-term planning difficult.
• Many states face budget constraints that lead to cuts in critical programs or deferrals in payment.
• Local levies, which fund essential services, are increasingly unpredictable.
This instability forces leaders to make hard choices between innovation and maintaining core services.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
1. Integrity
Doing what’s right—even when it’s difficult, unpopular, or unseen. I value honesty, ethical decision-making, and aligning actions with stated values. Trust matters to me, and I work hard to earn and protect it.
2. Service to Others
At the core of my leadership is service—especially to students, families, and educators. I believe leadership exists to improve lives, not elevate egos, and that decisions should always be grounded in their real-world impact on people.
3. Equity and Opportunity
I am deeply committed to ensuring access, support, and opportunity for all—particularly those navigating economic hardship or systemic barriers. Fairness isn’t about treating everyone the same; it’s about giving people what they need to succeed.
4. Compassion with Accountability
I lead with empathy, but I also believe in high expectations. I value kindness that doesn’t lower standards, and accountability that doesn’t lose sight of humanity.
5. Growth and Continuous Learning
I believe people—and systems—can always improve. Personally and professionally, I value reflection, feedback, and development, and I model that learning mindset for others.
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Locations
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Woodinville, WA 98072