Mashea Ashton
Founder & CEO
Digital Pioneers Academy
Mashea Ashton is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Pioneers Academy (DPA), a computer science focused charter middle and high school which she launched in Washington, DC in 2018. Serving the district’s most vulnerable communities, DPA's mission is to develop the next generation of innovators. Prior to founding DPA, Mashea spent 20 years advancing innovations and scaling best practices in urban education across the country. She served as the CEO of the Newark Charter School Fund where she oversaw a $48 million initiative to support the quality growth of charter schools. She has also previously held senior roles within New Leaders for New Schools, the New York City Department of Education, and the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP). Mashea began her career as a special education teacher. Mashea has a Masters in special education, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and elementary education from William and Mary. She currently serves on the board of the Virginia State Board of Education, The William and Mary Foundation, Washington Leadership Academy and the Center for Learning Equity. Mashea, her husband, and their twin school-aged children live in Northern Virginia.