Meet Janet Knupp, Founding Executive Director, Indian River Education Fund

Janet Knupp is the Founding Executive Director of the Indian River Education Fund, where she leads the creation and strategic direction of the private‐sector support organization for the School District of Indian River County. In this role, she built the Fund’s legal structure, mobilized a civic and business board, and aligned its mission with district priorities to support strategic initiatives, professional learning for educators, and community engagement in public schools.

Previously, Ms. Knupp founded and served as President & CEO of the Chicago Public Education Fund, where she pioneered a venture‐philanthropy model focused on accelerating student achievement by building talent in teachers and principals. Under her leadership, the Fund raised significant private investment, leveraged public-private partnerships, and drove measurable outcomes in partnership with Chicago Public Schools.

With a career rooted in startup and turnaround work in education and enterprise, Ms. Knupp has become a recognized thought leader in human-capital strategies for urban public schooling, board development, and strategic philanthropy. Her leadership brings together business, nonprofit, and education sectors to create sustainable systems of support for high-quality public education.