Michelle Edwards

Dr. Edwards is a dynamic and dedicated educational leader who is committed to the belief that all children and educators can achieve greatness at high levels through effective effort, high quality feedback and consistent support. With over 25 years of experience in all facets of school administration and instructional leadership, her passion for the community at-large, is what drives her motivation to continue advancing and improving the education field.

Dr. Edwards is the founder of The Idari Collective, a coaching, mentoring, and consulting firm whose mission is to come alongside Black and Brown women leaders, especially, so that they will thrive in leading their personal and professional lives.  

Dr. Edwards served for nearly seven years as the Executive Director at Live It Learn It, an experiential learning nonprofit located in Washington, DC that partners with schools and cultural institutions to create and deliver experiential learning opportunities for Black and Brown elementary aged students in Washington, DC. 

Edwards is a native Chicagoan and a career educator who found her way to the east coast as a resident principal in New Leaders, Inc. during its inaugural year in Washington DC.  She also served as a principal in Anacostia at Orr Elementary for almost a decade. Michelle returned to New Leaders in 2013 as the Director of the Emerging Leaders Program.

Edwards has had the pleasure of sitting on several boards including ISEEN and Center for Responsive Schools, where she is currently the Board Chair. 

She earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and received a Certificate in Executive Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University. Michelle is a graduate of Creative Results Management, where she was trained to coach.  

Michelle also advocates for social justice and racial reconciliation as a leader of the DC Unity and Justice Fellowship, a new 501c3 in Washington, DC where she serves as the inaugural Board Chair. She is a trained Urban Missionary, a proud, 25+year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the mother of two adult sons, Darren and Dante.