Lift As You Climb: Lessons Learned from an Advocacy Career Path

49er Industry Chat with Dr. Christopher Nellum ‘08
Executive Director, The Education Trust – West

Lift As You Climb: Lessons Learned from an Advocacy Career Path

Dr. Christopher J. Nellum is the Executive Director of EdTrust–West, an evidence-driven advocacy organization committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the California education system. He has led successful advocacy efforts to ensure equity in the K-12 accountability system, create a statewide cradle-to-career data system, address food insecurity for college students, ensure that every high school senior completes a financial aid application before they graduate, and defend fairness in college admissions. Before joining EdTrust–West, Nellum was at the National Center for Institutional Diversity, Young Invincibles, and the American Council on Education. Chris serves on several statewide committees, including a recent gubernatorial appointment, the advisory boards of the New Leadership Academy and GENup, and the Board of Directors of the James B. McClatchy Foundation and Swipe Out Hunger.