Beverly Hurley is the newly elected chair of the WestEd Board of Directors. Most recently serving as the Director of Academic Alliances for Grand Canyon University, Hurley brings 40 years of experience in education to her position. She begins her one‑year service as Board Chair on July 18.

Prior to Grand Canyon University, Hurley served 10 years as Superintendent of Buckeye Union High School District #201 in Arizona. Over the years, she has also worked as a teacher, counselor, student-teacher and peer-counseling coordinator, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal in the Flagstaff Unified School District.

WestEd’s Board of Directors is made up of accomplished leaders from public and private education, business, and human services communities. Board members take an active role in agency leadership and strategic planning.

“With her extensive experience and impact in public education, Beverly Hurley has been an integral presence on our Board over the last 15 years,” says Glen Harvey, WestEd CEO. “I’m delighted that her colleagues have elected her to serve as our new Board Chair.”

Hurley is taking the Board leadership reins from Marsha Hirano-Nakanishi, who served as chair for 2018–19.

“As a lifelong educator, WestEd’s mission to make a positive difference in the education and development of all learners resonates deeply with me,” says Hurley. “I look forward to working with the diverse group of accomplished professionals who make up WestEd’s Board to continue that mission.”

Hurley’s previous honors include being named the Arizona School Administrators Distinguished Administrator for the Superintendent’s Division. She was also honored as the Arizona State Superintendent of the Year; received the AASA Women in School Leadership Award; named the Arizona High School Principal of the Year and the NASSP/MetLife National High School Principal of the Year; and named as one of 24 West Valley Leaders who mentor and make a difference in the lives of others through vision, team work, and innovations.

Hurley earned her bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees from Northern Arizona University and was also awarded an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Northern Arizona University.