Nella Garcia-Urban
CEO
DSST Public Schools
Nella García Urban became CEO of DSST Public Schools in March 2024, leading one of Colorado’s highest‑performing public school networks. DSST serves 7,600 students across 16 middle and high schools in Denver and Aurora and is recognized nationally for excellence, including winning the 2018 Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools. García Urban brings more than 20 years of experience in public education, joining DSST after serving in multiple senior leadership roles at YES Prep Public Schools in Houston, Texas. She began her career as a founding teacher and helped launch several high‑performing campuses. She graduated from Rice University as a Mellon Mays Fellow and holds a master’s degree in education leadership from Sam Houston State University. A Pahara Fellow and Broad Academy alumna, she is also a certified executive coach. García Urban serves on the Member Council of Colorado League of Charter Schools and is a board director for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. She is the Board Chair of LEAL - Latino Educators Advancing Leadership - an organization working to increase the number of Latino leaders in charter schools.
LinkedIn: nellagarciaurban