October Business Luncheon

October Guest Speaker: DONNA M. HARGENS
 
Donna M. Hargens is the Superintendent of the Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, having been selected for that position effective August 2011. Prior to her appointment, she served the Wake County Public School System in Raleigh, North Carolina for 22 years in a variety of positionsm that included Chief Academic Officer, Interim Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Area Superintendent, and principal of two high schools.
 
Among her educational qualifications are graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. from Marquette University (WI), earning an M.Ed. in educational administration and supervision from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, and being awarded an Ed.D. in educational leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall University (NJ).
 
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Hargens began her career as a teacher of Spanish and English. Married, with two adult children, she is a voracious reader and a proponent of physical fitness.
 
As superintendent of JCPS, Dr. Hargens’ focus is on raising student achievement for all children, and she is relentless in expecting staff to collect and analyze data in order to inform their decisions. Her leadership style is grounded in collaboration,and she devotes extensive time to listening to staff, parents, and community to gain their perspectives and insights before making recommendations that will impact the operation of the district and the performance of its students.