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Biographies

Jim Blew is a co-founder of DFI—a DC-based tax-exempt nonprofit that promotes education freedom, civil rights, and a limited federal role in education and workforce development. He is also president of DFI Action, a separate entity that focuses on federal lobbying.

Jim served as U.S. assistant secretary for policy and budget under Betsy DeVos. Prior to his federal service, he worked in state-based education reform for more than 20 years, including leadership roles at StudentsFirst, 50CAN, and the predecessor to the American Federation for Children. He also helped guide the education reform investments of the Walton Family Foundation for nearly a decade until 2014. Before committing himself full time to education reform, Jim worked at political and communications firms in New York and California. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Occidental College and a master’s in business administration from the Yale School of Management.

Roberto J. Rodriguez is a nationally recognized education and public policy leader whose impactful leadership in the White House, Congress, U.S. Department of Education, and in the nonprofit sector has been consequential in expanding opportunity and transforming educational systems. He most recently served as Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education for Policy and Planning, where he led efforts to accelerate post-pandemic recovery, strengthen the educator workforce, redesign high schools, expand college access, and advance the effective use of technology in learning. Previously, as Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, Rodriguez shaped President Barack Obama’s education agenda and served as a key architect of major bipartisan initiatives, including the Every Student Succeeds Act and investments in the Pell Grant and America’s community colleges. Rodriguez began his federal service as Chief Counsel to Senator Edward Kennedy on the Senate HELP Committee, where he steered bipartisan legislation to improve standards and accountability, expand early childhood and higher education, and broaden educational access and civil rights protections for students and families.

Rodriguez launched his career at UnidosUS, where he supported legislative policy and advocacy to improve educational access, equity, and community empowerment. He also served as President & CEO of Teach Plus, advancing a national movement to elevate the voices and vision of talented educators to improve educational policy and practice. He has been appointed to multiple national boards and commissions and holds degrees from Harvard University and the University of Michigan.

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