Don Cooper

Chief Operating Officer of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Don brings 20 years’ experience in educational leadership and policy to the DVLC, and a passion for achieving great results for kids. His work has primarily focused on system-level change that empowers parents with more and better choices. His professional experience is diverse. It ranges from serving as an education policy advisor in the Michigan House of Representatives to senior-level public and government affairs positions for leading charter school organizations.

Don currently serves on the boards of directors of the Michigan History Foundation and the Greater Lansing Sports Fund, and on the board of advisors for the National Charter Schools Founders Library.

Don received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hillsdale College and a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University. He is currently completing a Ph.D. in Political Science at Wayne State University.