Aneesh Sohoni Named CEO Of Teach For America, Is Passionate About Equity

India-West Staff Reporter

NEW YORK, NY – Teach For America (TFA) has named Indian American Aneesh Sohoni as its next chief executive officer, effective April 15. A Teach For America alumnus and a dedicated advocate for educational equity, Sohoni will take over from Elisa Villanueva Beard, who has served TFA for 27 years.

Sohoni, a Minneapolis native and the son of Indian immigrants, brings a deeply personal connection to TFA’s mission. Growing up in a vibrant immigrant community, he witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. After graduating college, he joined TFA’s Twin Cities corps in 2009, teaching high school English near his childhood home. His classroom included many Somali, Kenyan, and Ethiopian English learners, an experience that shaped his understanding of the potential in every student and the systemic barriers they face.

Inspired by his students, Sohoni dedicated his career to advancing educational opportunities. He went on to serve as the executive director of TFA Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana, where he strengthened partnerships and expanded programs to support student success.

Reflecting on his journey, Sohoni has also credited his family’s immigrant story for fueling his commitment to educational equity. “Access to education has the power to unlock a life full of possibility,” he said. “At TFA, I saw how students could defy expectations when given the right support and opportunities. That experience continues to inspire me every day.”

Most recently, Sohoni has been at the helm of One Million Degrees, a nonprofit that empowers community college students to achieve economic mobility. Under his leadership, the organization quadrupled its reach, growing from 650 to 2,400 students. Sohoni’s tenure saw significant improvements in student retention, graduation rates, and career outcomes, driven by a holistic approach to supporting students academically, financially, and personally.

Sohoni joins TFA at a critical moment as the organization works toward its ambitious 2030 goals, which include improving literacy and math achievement and increasing the number of students who graduate college or are career-ready. “I am inspired by what is possible,” Sohoni said.