Dr. Tabitha Bentley is an executive strategist and applied research practitioner. Gleaning from over 15 years of experience in education, she has extensive experience using and guiding tools such as research, data, policy, partnerships, and philanthropic funding to transform education systems. Her work is fiercely driven by a passion for equity, inclusion, belonging, and change.

Dr. Bentley currently works in the edtech industry as a Learning Partner Director at Guild Education. There she oversees a portfolio of some of Guild's largest and most progressive learning providers, and intentionally leads these partnerships towards the ultimate goal of educational success for working adult learners. Prior to Guild, she was the Director of Policy and Research at The Education Trust-Midwest where she was responsible for developing, executing, and leading state-wide research and policy initiatives towards the goal of improving academic outcomes for Michigan students, and historically marginalized students in particular.

Dr. Bentley previously assumed the role of Strategy Director for the Washtenaw County My Brother’s Keeper (WMBK) and Research and Strategy Facilitator for Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD). There she directed WMBK’s collective partnerships and strategic plans for supporting boys of color, as well as developed, implemented, and managed the WISD’s multi-leveled research strategy.

Prior to her education leadership roles, she was as an 8th grade teacher in multiple large urban districts, a college counselor at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men, and an Education Pioneers Fellow within Chicago Public Schools charged with investigating, analyzing, and creating a comprehensive strategy to equitably serve students with more severe special needs.

Dr. Bentley holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Policy from Northwestern University, as well as a master’s degree in Public Policy and PhD in Education Administration and Policy from the University of Michigan. She currently sits on the board of trustees for the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation as well as Shelter Association for Washtenaw County. As an accomplished musician, she also continues to teach and perform as a pianist and violinist in her free time.