DETROIT — Veronica Conforme, a former New York City public schools leader who ran the operations of America’s largest school district, has been named interim chancellor of the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan by the reform district’s board of directors. Conforme has been an advisor to the EAA since January.
Conforme served at the New York City Department of Education for over a decade, culminating in her appointment as Chief Operating Officer. She oversaw a $23 billion budget and 130,000 employees, directing organizational strategy, finance, technology, family and community engagement, fundraising, operations and communications. She was also chief financial officer and the deputy chief schools officer, overseeing the day-to-day activities of the city’s 1,700 public schools.
Conforme is a relentless advocate for students and has spent years working to ensure that all students have access to a high quality education. Her past roles have included serving as Vice President for the “Access to Opportunity” campaign at The College Board. Conforme led a campaign to ensure that students from low-income backgrounds participated in Advanced Placement courses and enrolled in colleges equipped to succeed.
Conforme lives in Detroit. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and public policy from Columbia University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University.
A special committee of the board will immediately begin the search for a permanent chancellor.