Dr. Tom McDermott joined Achievement First in 2025 as Executive Director of Rhode Island, bringing nearly 20 years of experience as an educator and leader. Prior to AF, he served as Managing Director for the Northeast Region at ANet, Chief Strategy Officer for Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado, and as both a teacher and school leader at Uncommon Schools.

Tom is especially proud of leading a community-driven strategy in Jeffco that brought students, families, and educators together to co-create a district-wide vision grounded in equity. That work helped boost graduation rates for historically underrepresented students and launched a nationally recognized innovation fund that brought student-led ideas to life.

He leads by listening first and centers coherence, equity, and shared ownership in all aspects of his work. Tom lives in Rhode Island with his wife, Lizzy, their daughters Caroline and Grace, and their bulldog, Rocco. He enjoys fly-fishing along Rhode Island’s beaches and estuaries.