Overview
As Director of Education Leadership at WestEd, Ayele Dodoo oversees a portfolio that supports school and district leaders in building the skills, structures, and systems necessary for coherent, high-performing educational organizations. Under her leadership, the team facilitates research-informed professional learning, coaching, leadership networks, and system design services that strengthen the capacity of current and emerging leaders nationwide.
With nearly 3 decades of experience as a teacher, district leader, and county office administrator, Dodoo brings extensive content knowledge and a practical understanding of leading complex systems. She partners with districts across the country to help leaders clarify priorities, build effective teams, and align organizational structures in ways that support meaningful and sustainable improvement. Her work translates research into accessible, job-embedded tools and practices that leaders can use immediately.
Dodoo oversees the design and facilitation of the portfolio’s signature offerings, including executive leadership networks in California and Illinois; the School Leadership Team Networks; the Supervisors of Principals Academy; and The Leadership Playbook, a suite of services focused on personal leadership, team effectiveness, and systemwide alignment. Additionally, she codesigns and facilitates learning for WestEd staff.
Before becoming Director of Education Leadership, Dodoo served as Network Director for WestEd’s Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning. Prior to joining WestEd, Dodoo served as Director of Secondary Education in Montebello Unified School District, where she led the district in implementing state standards and expanding college and career pathways. Across all her roles, she has remained committed to helping leaders understand their systems deeply and lead them with focus and coherence.
Education
Education
- EdD in educational leadership, University of California, Los Angeles
- MA in teaching history, Columbia University
- BA in history, Stanford University
Honors, Awards, and Affiliations
2023 Ed Myers Staff Recognition Award
