CEO, NewSchools Venture Fund
Frances Messano is CEO of NewSchools Venture Fund, a venture philanthropy that builds a better education system by connecting people, resources, and ideas. Throughout her tenure, Messano has served as president, created the diverse leaders investment strategy, and led the innovative schools team. Before joining NewSchools, Messano was a vice president at Teach for America and an associate partner at Monitor Institute.
Messano, a first-generation college graduate, earned a master’s of business administration from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s from Harvard College. She is an alum of Prep for Prep, MLT and SEO, nonprofits that profoundly influenced her trajectory. Her commitment to educational excellence comes full circle as she serves on the boards of numerous organizations that are increasing access to opportunity for students. Messano lives in San Francisco with her husband and their three children, who attend a NewSchools portfolio school.