Bio

Deborah Kerr is the former proud superintendent of Brown Deer School District, one of the most diverse 4K-12th grade districts in Wisconsin with 1,600 students, 80% students of color, and over 50% students economically disadvantaged. She has dedicated the last forty years of her life to the education of all children no matter where they live. She has worked as a WI Superintendent for 20 years starting out at rural district Wilmot Graded in Wilmot, WI, led one of the most successful state consolidations of the district to Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated, and served Brown Deer for thirteen years. She earned her Doctorate from National-Louis University, a Master’s from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and a Bachelor of Arts & Science from Valparaiso University. She has also been elected to leadership roles in regional, state, and national organizations. She is past president of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA), and Milwaukee North Shore Rotary. Deb is noted for closing achievement gaps, attaining close to 100% graduation rates, and intentionally recruiting one of the most diverse teaching, administrative, and school boards in the region and state. Brown Deer school district was also awarded a state and national school of character award from Character.org proving that student voice can and will impact academic achievement and student well-being. Currently, she is the CEO/President of Lead Greatly, LLC, a former candidate for the Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and continues to fight and advocate for ALL Wisconsin kids. Through her learning experiences with great educators, she believes that we must collectively work together to promote excellence and equity for all of our students. We must “UNIFY” around education so that our Wisconsin kids can “WIN” again and be “Champions” just like the two-time Milwaukee Bucks!