IEL remains committed to our values and work to partner, innovate, and lead to advance opportunities for all children, youth, and families.
Washington, DC – 4/24/26 – The Board of Directors of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) announced today that President and CEO Eddie Koen will be departing IEL in May to pursue a new leadership opportunity. The Board expresses its deep appreciation for Eddie’s four years of leadership and his dedication to supporting children, youth, and families in every community.
Eddie served as both the organization’s youngest and first Black President, marking a historic milestone in IEL’s history. During his tenure, Eddie has helped grow the organization’s cumulative impact to over 460 school districts, 18K schools, 12 million students, and 58K leaders across all 50 states. He also oversaw the launch of a new strategic plan during IEL’s 60th anniversary, helping to align its mission and vision with today’s urgent needs.
Other accomplishments include elevating IEL’s National Community Schools & Family Engagement Conference, bringing this premier event to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. He also supported the expansion of IEL’s role‑based networks to include Superintendents and Community School Managers. Under his guidance, IEL has scaled its policy and advocacy work to play a key role in shaping education discussions and systemic change, as well as expanded its workforce development opportunities through IEL’s Youth Leadership & Transition Initiatives.
“It has been an honor to lead an organization so dedicated to serving communities,” said Eddie. “During my time at IEL, I’ve witnessed our team’s work with local entities across the country, which takes a variety of forms – but what makes IEL special is the unique approach we provide to fill the sometimes complex and hyper‑local service needs each partner might have, supporting them in the long term on their transformational leadership journey, and leading with love in all that we do. I leave IEL fully confident in their ability to continue building this movement, especially with my valued co‑leader Kwesi at the helm, as I step into a new opportunity as the President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.”
To ensure continuity and maintain momentum, the Board has appointed IEL Chief Programs Officer Kwesi Rollins as Interim President, effective May 9th, and will begin its search for its next President this summer. As IEL’s longest‑tenured employee, Rollins brings 25 years of deep institutional knowledge, long-standing relationships, and a clear vision for IEL’s continued impact. He is a trusted leader, deeply steeped in the organization’s history, people, and work.
“IEL is my home,” shared Kwesi. “I’m pleased to take on the role of Interim President during this transition. I am grateful to Eddie for his partnership and leadership of our great team these past few years and am excited to continue collaborating with him in his new role at Boys & Girls Club. As I build on a quarter century at IEL, our vision for the future is as clear as ever, and we remain in service to lifting up underserved leaders and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to transform their communities through education with collaborative solutions.”
Kwesi has a strong track record across programs, partnerships, and strategy. Highly respected among education leaders, partners, and funders, he has been instrumental in helping to build and expand the field of Family and Community Engagement. He is a values‑driven leader who embodies IEL’s mission and culture.
“We are thrilled with what we’ve accomplished with Eddie over the past four years and wish him the best in his new chapter. I’m confident the great work of IEL will continue under Kwesi Rollins. As a longtime senior leader at IEL, the Board is looking forward to Kwesi’s guidance of this team,” shared IEL Board Chair Michael Sims. “His experience in expanding our portfolio in all facets of Family and Community Engagement, Early Childhood Education, and Community‑based Leadership Development will continue to help advance our work and reach. Kwesi’s extensive work with district leaders across the country continues to be invaluable to both the field and to IEL’s ability to reach communities. We look forward to his collaborative leadership and innovation to continue building cross‑sector partnerships and impact.”
IEL’s leadership team, staff, and Board are fully committed to advancing its mission. Our work—and our values—remain the same. We continue our focus on changing systems through people.