Kelly McManus

Kelly McManus leads Arnold Ventures’ education team, driving efforts to increase the return on investment in the education system for both students and taxpayers. Under Kelly’s leadership, the team manages a portfolio of research, policy, advocacy, and litigation investments to create lasting policy change. She has grown Arnold Ventures’ education portfolio with a strong focus on accountability, value, and return on investment in education, while building support for evidence-based policies at both the state and federal levels. 

Kelly’s work spans two decades of experience across K-12 and higher education, including initiatives that connect education and workforce development to economic mobility and stability. She is engaged in career pathways work, ensuring multiple routes to economic security. Her expertise also extends to exploring how K-12 education and workforce policies can drive opportunity and equity nationwide. 

Prior to joining Arnold Ventures, Kelly served as the director of government affairs for EdTrust, directing strategy and legislative advocacy across early childhood, K-12 education, higher education, and appropriations issues. Before coming to Washington, D.C., she worked extensively in state-level education policy and advocacy in Arizona and served as a middle school English teacher with Teach For America in Philadelphia. 

Kelly earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wake Forest University.