Chattanooga 2.0 Appoints Keri Randolph as New Executive Director to Transform Education and Workforce Opportunities

Chattanooga Welcomes Keri Randolph as New Executive Director of Chattanooga 2.0

In the heart of Chattanooga, an exciting development is taking place that aims to reshape the landscape of education and workforce opportunities in the region. Enter Keri Randolph, who has recently stepped into the role of Executive Director for Chattanooga 2.0, an organization poised to tackle significant workforce challenges and bridge gaps in educational equity.

A Journey from Biochemistry to Education

Keri’s path to this pivotal role has been anything but conventional. Originally hailing from Springfield, Tennessee, she embarked on her academic journey by studying biochemistry. However, as Keri candidly shares, “It turned out that I found day-to-day lab work incredibly boring, and I never knew how much I liked people.” This revelation sparked a shift in her career focus, steering her towards education.

Her educational credentials are impressive: a doctorate from Harvard University complemented by teaching experiences spanning from high school science in North Carolina to administrative roles in public education. With a wealth of experience and knowledge, she returned to Chattanooga with a deep love for the community, eager to make a difference.

Understanding the Birth of Chattanooga 2.0

Chattanooga 2.0, established in 2015, stepped in to address the pressing workforce issues in the area, particularly after notable companies like Volkswagen set up shop. Keri recognized that while businesses were thriving, they were drawing talent from outside the region, with license plates from all over the place parked in employee parking lots. “If we wanted Chattanooga to continue to be a place of economic growth and opportunity, it really had to be about our people,” she emphasizes.

This organization’s core mission is to serve as “the birth-to-career backbone” for Chattanooga and Hamilton County. It focuses on ensuring that every resident, especially students from diverse backgrounds and those facing economic challenges, has access to quality education and job opportunities.

Unveiling New Initiatives

Keri’s vision for the organization is grounded in hard data. After analyzing the educational landscape, she identified three critical areas to focus on, dubbing them her “big bets”: early childhood education, literacy, and the education-to-workforce pipeline. “The Hamilton County school system works hard, and it’s making progress, but data reveal gaps for students who are low-income, of color, and for whom English is a new language,” she notes. “We work to find opportunities, and economic mobility is at the heart of it.”

Partnerships Are Key

What sets Chattanooga 2.0 apart is its collaborative approach. Keri’s team engages with local schools, governments, and nonprofits to address the educational needs of all students effectively. “The schools can’t serve that purpose alone; we need to work together to scale up our efforts,” she explains.

With the organization expanding from just two employees when Keri started to seven now, it’s clear that they are making significant strides. “Chattanooga’s a scrappy city — big enough to matter, but small enough to innovate,” Keri smiles. “We can work across our differences to get things done.”

Making an Impact on Lives

Reflecting on her time spent studying medicine in Ghana, Keri speaks passionately about her desire to ensure that children have the access and opportunities they deserve. “Seeing children working as servants while their formal education ended at age twelve opened my eyes,” she recalls. “One of the things that drives me every day is making sure kids have access and opportunity.”

As Keri Randolph takes the reins at Chattanooga 2.0, it’s clear that her passion for education and community development will play a vital role in shaping the future of Chattanooga. With a dedicated team and a focus on collaboration, there’s immense hope for creating a thriving economic landscape that benefits everyone in the area.