Former BCG consultant appointed Atlanta's first chief education officer
Boston Consulting Group alumnus Aliya Bhatia has been appointed the first chief education officer for Atlanta, Georgia. In her new municipal cabinet-level role, Bhatia will be tasked with improving student access to quality education and vocational training, among a host of other responsibilities.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms promised to create the position of chief education officer earlier this year in order to work with Atlanta Public Schools and community leaders to improve access to quality education and vocational training for students in the city. Now, the mayor has announced the appointment of Aliya Bhatia to the newly created position.
Bhatia, a native of Atlanta, brings a background in policy, education, and consulting to the role. She recently completed a Master in Public Policy from the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to that, Bhatia was an associate at leading management consultancy The Boston Consulting Group for over three years, supporting clients with strategy, incentives, and organizational design, among other areas. While there, she was also the lead author of the BCG report ‘The Diversity Paradox,’ which was premiered at the World Economic Forum.
Prior to joining BCG, Bhatia was a teacher with Teach For America, self-described by the organization as ‘a national corps of leaders who commit to teaching in low-income schools and work to increase their students' opportunities in life.’ In addition to her MPP from Harvard, Bhatia also holds a degree in international politics from Georgetown University.
“Quality education can transform lives. Aliya Bhatia’s experience, passion and commitment to creating high-quality, accessible educational opportunities will allow her to effectively partner with APS and other education and industry leaders from throughout the community as we work to improve access to education and training for all of our children and residents,” said Mayor Bottoms.
In her new role, Bhatia will work with community leaders and advocate for policies that improve access to quality education in Atlanta. Her responsibilities will include working with industry and education stakeholders to develop training programs for the city’s rapid growing film & entertainment, technology, and construction industries.
Bhatia will also be responsible for launching a citywide Children’s Savings Account Program for children entering kindergarten. Finally, she will be tasked with working across city government to advocate for public schools as a top priority for infrastructure investment and public safety.
