Elson B. Nash

Strategic Partnerships Lead Consultant, Education Commission of the States

Senior Fellow, Blue Meridian Partners; Strategic Partnerships Lead Consultant, Education Commission of the States; and Former Director, U.S. Department of Education's Division of School Choice and Improvement Programs

Elson B. Nash has worked in the education and non-profit fields for over 30 years. He started his career with the Carter Center’s first domestic initiative called the Atlanta Project (TAP). After TAP Elson worked in various capacities in higher education at the local, state and national levels. Elson’s career as a funder began at Ashoka-Innovators for the Public where he searched and selected social entrepreneurs in the U.S. and Canada. From Ashoka Elson went to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) where he started as a program coordinator for Learn and Serve America. His tenure at CNCS ended after 10 years where he ultimately served as the Deputy Director of the White House Council for Community Solutions.

In July of 2012, Elson began as Team Lead for the Promise Neighborhoods and Full-Service Community Schools programs at the U.S. Department of Education. After serving as the Team Lead for nine years, Elson became Director of the $450M School Choice and Improvement Program Division which included seven programs. On December 31, 2024, Elson retired from the Federal government after 22 years. Elson started a new chapter as Senior Consultant, Strategic Partnership with the Education Commission of the States on February 3rd, 2025.