Having gone from a life poverty on the west side of Chicago to becoming a Harvard graduate, Nancy Hanks knows firsthand that students' futures are not predetermined by their personal circumstance. As a teacher, principal, and now chief of schools for the Madison Metropolitan School district, she has led both the development of technical systems and cultivation the values and beliefs necessary to hold all students to high expectations and provide them the support they need to meet that high bar. As a principal in Chicago, Hanks led the transformation and continual growth of her school as well as the successful transition of adding 90 minutes to their school day -  a complex move that led to improved literacy and math outcomes as well as a more well-rounded school day for her students and staff. Her leadership as Chief of Schools for Elementary in the Madison Metropolitan School District has led to across the board gains in elementary schools. In addition to a ten point increase in literacy and mathematics overall, 17 schools have made at least ten-point gains in literacy five years, and five schools have made over 20 point gains in literacy in the past five years. She also led the development of the district's school support system, a more targeted way of connecting principals and their school teams with the support they need to execute on their individual school plans. Through her belief in hard work and resiliency, balanced with humor and humility with her team, she is continually out to prove that all students can cultivate their unique gift and talents and achieve at high levels. Nancy holds a B.S  in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University and an M.E.D is school leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is a devoted daughter, sister, aunt & friend.