Byron Sanders

Byron Sanders is dedicated to empowering students and enhancing educational opportunities. With a passion for community engagement, he strives to make a positive impact on the lives of every student.

As the son of an elementary school teacher, he found his voice and developed a love for his culture through the care and guidance of his educators. They instilled in him a belief that the world is wide and he has a place in it. This foundation fuels Byron’s commitment to ensuring every student, regardless of their zip code, has access to the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Byron’s career spans education, philanthropy, and innovation, with a proven track record of impact locally in Dallas and beyond. As the former President and CEO of Big Thought, he championed creative, student-centered programming to narrow the opportunity gap for youth from underserved communities. Prior to that, as Executive Director of the Dallas Education Foundation, Byron secured critical partnerships and funding to advance initiatives directly benefiting Dallas ISD students.

Byron has built bridges between the community, educators, and policy leaders. His diverse experiences across health care, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, finance, and youth development have given him a deep understanding of the complexities of public education. He combines this knowledge with a history of collaboration, strategic thinking, and innovative problem-solving. A Presidential Leadership Scholar, his leadership has been widely recognized, including accolades like the 2022 Dallas Business Journal Most Admired CEO and the 2020 CASEL O’Brien Award for Excellence in Social and Emotional Learning.