Shruti Saxena
Program Director, Chicago Public Schools
2015 EP Fellow in Chicago, IL
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Education Pioneers (EP), a significant milestone in our organization’s journey. To honor this occasion, we’re sharing an ongoing blog series to showcase EP Alumni who are actively addressing opportunity gaps within their communities.
Shruti Saxena’s journey highlights the impactful role of behind-the-scenes change makers who support systemic progress for students and educators. As an alum of the EP Fellowship and a long-time contributor to Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Shruti embodies the spirit of collaboration and operational excellence that defines the EP Alumni community.
Growing up in India’s education system, where academics often overshadowed other facets of learning, Shruti’s curiosity about the broader educational landscape led her to the EP Fellowship after graduating from the University of Minnesota. The Fellowship opened her eyes to roles beyond the classroom and matched her with CPS’s Nutrition Support Services team.
Her Fellowship placement within this team challenged her expectations of what it looks like to work in an American school district. Tasked with analyzing staffing data for more than 2,000 employees, Shruti worked with the team to optimize school operations and lunchroom staffing so free meals were available for every student in the district.
“Visiting schools with fully staffed lunchrooms compared to those that were understaffed opened my eyes to the ripple effects of operational efficiency into the classroom,” she says. “There’s a link between nutrition and performance, so having the right staff in place directly enhances student experiences.”
From Fellow to Change Maker
Shruti’s Fellowship marked the start of a nine-year (and counting) career at CPS, where she has held roles ranging from data analyst to strategic project lead. She has gained a deep understanding of the operational backbone of a large school district, from procurement and IT to staffing and law. Her work focuses on creating sustainable systems that improve equity and outcomes for students and staff alike.
One of Shruti’s defining career moments came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with the unprecedented challenges of remote and hybrid learning, Shruti and her colleagues pooled expertise across health, technology, logistics, and more to adapt CPS operations to a rapidly changing reality. “The challenges were daunting, but it was the collaborative and innovative approach that carried us through,” she recalls.
A standout contribution was her coordination of the district’s health screener tool. By aligning technical expertise with public health guidelines and talent management strategies, Shruti’s work contributed to CPS reopening schools safely.
Paying It Forward
Throughout her time at CPS, Shruti has been mentored by EP Alumni Matt Lyons (2009) and her current supervisor, Ben Felton (2018), and she has had the opportunity to collaborate with several other Alums. In her current role, Shruti continues to drive change by mentoring future leaders. In 2024, she worked with EP to place ten Fellows across CPS departments, helping them contribute to meaningful projects while laying the foundation for their own careers. “Bringing things full circle professionally is one of the many ways I pay it forward,” she shares.
Her passion for mentorship extends beyond CPS. Shruti is the co-chair and a mentor for the Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program, a flagship program of Chicago Women in Philanthropy, where she supports early and middle career women navigating the complexities of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
Shruti’s story highlights that change makers often work behind the scenes to build systems that sustain long-term progress. “As a Fellow, I saw how improving operational processes—like staffing systems or resource allocation—creates the conditions for academic excellence. These slow but steady shifts may not grab headlines, but they are crucial for ensuring that staff and students have the support they need to thrive.”
EP believes in the power of mobilizing diverse, skilled professionals from inside and outside of the sector to transform education as we know it. If you’re an Alumni looking to multiply your impact, you can get involved by referring a Fellow or hosting a Fellow at your organization.
About our Alumni Network
After completing their Fellowship, EP Fellows join our vibrant Alumni network made up of more than 4,700 connected change makers at every level of educational leadership. Together, EP Fellows and Alumni work towards creating a more just and equitable future for all students. Learn more about the impact of our Alumni network here.
The views expressed in this blog reflect the perspectives of Shruti Saxena and do not represent the official views of Chicago Public Schools.
