Marcela Andrés is the daughter of immigrants who lived in one of Austin's most challenging neighborhoods. Today she is the CEO and President of designEDengagement, PBC, a Latina owned education consulting company.
Ms. Andrés is an education leader with over 10 years of demonstrable success in achieving measurable results. She is a goal-driven leader and recognized change agent in the field of education with a passion for changing how families and educators partner to improve student outcomes. Her experience in engagement strategy, strategic planning, program design, leadership development, coaching, relationship management, performance management, and goal setting with specialization in programs that support underrepresented students, families, and communities position her to be an effective and strategic agent of change.
Ms. Andrés’ most recent contribution to school improvement is reflected in changing the family engagement landscape in Texas. Guided by human-centered design principles and improvement science methodologies, Ms. Andrés led an inaugural statewide family engagement fellowship that impacted 26 schools and over 16,000 students and families in Texas for Raise Your Hand Texas. Under her leadership, positive outcomes were reflected in improved student behavior, increased attendance rates, and reduced teacher turnover.
Ms. Andrés holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Edward’s University and a Master of Education with a focus in organizational leadership and community advocacy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
