Dr. Katy Anthes joined PEBC in December 2023 as Director of Forward: From Polarization to Progress. As Commissioner of Education in Colorado from 2016- 2023, Dr. Katy Anthes is widely respected for her commitment to listen to diverse perspectives and leaves a legacy of developing solutions that are founded on productive middle ground. Continuously keeping students’ best interests as her top priority, she focuses on providing high quality expertise and support to policymakers, districts and educators working to enhance student achievement. WhileCommissioner, Anthes worked with the Colorado State Board of Education, the Legislature and the Governor to craft and implement a vision of education for Colorado.  She led the Colorado Department of Education, an $8 billion dollar agency, dedicated to helping districts achieve great things for students.  During her time as Commissioner, she served on the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Board of Directors, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) Steering Committee, and Chiefs for Change.

Dr. Anthes led CDE from 2011 to 2023, serving as Chief of Staff, Interim Associate Commissioner for Achievement and Strategy and Executive Director of Educator Effectiveness. As the ED of Educator Effectiveness, she led CDE’s efforts to support and retain highly effective educators in Colorado. In her previous position as a partner with the Third Mile Group, Anthes led and researched major education initiatives for state, district, and national organizations on a variety of education issues. Her projects included the Colorado School Leadership Academy Board, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Commission and the evaluation of district education programs across the state.

Prior to founding the Third Mile Group, she conducted seven years of research, designed policy and developed her leadership at the Education Commission of the States while focusing on school and district leader effectiveness. Anthes holds a Ph.D. in public policy and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Colorado Denver. She  earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon.