Koua Franz

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Koua Franz was part of the Hmong refugees that resettled in the United States in the early 1980s and learned firsthand about the inequities that exist in education, economic, and community support systems. She knew early on that she wanted to solve those problems (for the better part of her childhood, which meant wanting to be an FBI agent). As an adult, she found leverage in collaborating with leaders to help bring the best out of their teams and scale their impact in solving these complex societal challenges.
 
A champion of equity and access for underserved children and communities, Koua has worn many hats during her career. She started off in the field of social science as a senior researcher studying social determinants of health, later becoming an Executive Director for the Hmong community in California, where she helped organize and facilitate coalitions toward improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged communities. She was the previous Chief of Staff and Chief Family and Community Engagement Officer at one of California's top 10 largest urban school districts and a previous Chief Strategy Officer for a global educational tech non-profit.
 
With two decades of executive experience, she has been instrumental in nurturing passionate leaders, achieving operational excellence, piloting new emerging technologies, and building inclusive organizational cultures that support and retain exceptionally talented, diverse individuals. Koua's expertise in executive management and operations has led her to become a highly sought after consultant, advisor for boards, and executive leader by organizations interested in transformative growth.
 
Koua holds a master’s in public administration with an emphasis in finance from National University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business management from the University of the Pacific. Her academic foundation complements her professional experience, equipping her with a strong analytical and financial lens to drive strategic, mission-aligned decisions in complex organizational settings. Committed to lifelong learning, Koua actively refines her expertise by participating in executive leadership programs and engaging with industry leaders to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and best practices. She embraces a growth mindset, continuously seeking opportunities to sharpen her critical thinking and leadership skills, ensuring she remains adaptable and innovative in an ever-evolving professional landscape.
 
Koua currently resides in Redmond, Washington with her three daughters and two cats (Journey and Captain Tiger).

KOUA'S RESUME >