As an Executive Director at Teach for America (TFA), Stephanie Devine is reimagining the educational system to drive economic progress for unconsidered communities.

Her decade of experience in leadership and community development coupled with a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor’s degree in Education have positioned Devine to lead change with a holistic perspective on how the places people live can best support the way they live.

Raised in a family of community leaders with Appalachian roots and unfinished dreams, Devine is driven by an internal motivation to lead development for this unique region, beginning with its most foundational structure: education.

Today, she leads a high-performing regional team that supports four Central Appalachian States and hundreds of TFA leaders and alumni. Certified by the nonprofit organization’s Rural School Leadership Academy, Devine is passionate about the role rural education can play in increasing economic mobility throughout the region – and beyond.

From her time as a Special Education Teacher at Baltimore City Public Schools to quickly rising up the TFA ranks, Devine’s focused career has enabled her to develop strategic visions for the communities responsible for her own development.

Inspired by a belief that more is possible through collective power, Devine is actively bridging gaps across society to create more possibilities for all. As a DEI Advisory Counsel & Core Values Committee Member at TFA, she has seen the benefit of diverse beliefs, orientations, and values in eliminating biases and developing well-being. And as a Top 10 Parliamentary Debater and lifelong music guru, Devine has proven to be an intrinsic connection-builder motivated by learning, solidarity, and harmony. 

Devine is on a mission to infuse equity into traditional systems and structures to improve the way people live. And as she blazes the way forward, she is creating space to help change the perceptions of where they live.