Saumil Shah
Chief Information & Operations Officer, KIPP DC
2009 EP Fellow in Oakland, CA
Board Member, Education Pioneers
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.
Saumil Shah’s journey into education was shaped by a deeply personal realization. “Early in my life, I struggled academically despite many advantages,” he shared. “With some luck and a lot of support from friends and family, I made it to college, but I had a nagging feeling I couldn’t shake. If someone with every privilege in the world can come this close to failing, how can we ensure every student has a fair chance?”
This introspection, coupled with encouragement from friends in education, sparked a desire to contribute to creating pathways for success for every child. He pivoted from consulting at Deloitte and pursued the EP Fellowship while completing his MBA at University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
Saumil completed his Fellowship at Oakland Unified School District, where he focused on developing alternative teacher compensation models that aimed to enhance educational outcomes in the Bay Area. Since then, he has continued to make a significant impact in the field, helping launch the Achievement School District in Tennessee and running his own consulting practice before joining KIPP DC, a network of PreK-12 charter schools working to expand educational opportunities across Washington, DC. As Chief Information & Operations Officer, Saumil leads operations across the network’s 20+ schools and programs.
Today, Saumil’s leadership philosophy centers on harnessing the strengths of a diverse set of leaders. One standout example came early in his time at KIPP DC, when he led the integration of a small charter network on the verge of closure. It required a team of experts in enrollment, talent retention, academic strategy, family engagement, and facilities. “We needed so many different skills and experiences,” Saumil recalled. “I’m extremely proud that today, that network is thriving as part of KIPP DC, with two full campuses serving students and families.”
As Saumil reflects on the future of education, he envisions the collective power of EP’s Alumni network as a key driver of change across the sector. “I’m certain that I would not still be working in education if not for EP,” he shared. “The program connected me with colleagues and mentors who have helped shape and accelerate my career. Now, more than a decade after my Fellowship, I collaborate with EP Alums in every sector of education. I know that by working with like-minded friends and colleagues, we can make an exceptional impact and move the needle for students and families.”
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 drive meaningful change and work towards creating a more just and equitable future for all students. Learn more about the impact of our Alumni network here.
