Hamilton County Schools Deputy Superintendent Sonia Stewart will serve as the next executive director of Chattanooga 2.0, the nonprofit announced.
Stewart, who has served as deputy superintendent since December 2021, will take the helm of Chattanooga 2.0 in late March. Her selection was revealed Wednesday.
Zac Brown, the district’s chief talent officer, will become the deputy superintendent, according to an email Superintendent Justin Robertson sent to staff.
Chattanooga 2.0, a collaborative education group, works with local government and community leaders to improve outcomes for children and families in Hamilton County. Its efforts focus on expanding access to quality early childhood programs, supporting college and career savings, strengthening early literacy outcomes and building viable pathways to the workforce.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County school board approves increased enrollment at Skillern Elementary)
The organization regularly works with the Hamilton County school system, and in recent years, it has launched savings accounts to help local students pursue education after high school, started literacy tutoring initiatives and coordinated a countywide coalition that aims to provide housing to every student identified as homeless by the school district.
As deputy superintendent, Stewart was involved in several of those initiatives.
Stewart’s appointment comes after a search to succeed Keri Randolph, who had led the nonprofit since 2022. In November, Randolph became the president of the Benwood Foundation, a private organization dedicated to strengthening and bettering the Chattanooga community.
At Chattanooga 2.0, Stewart will lead efforts to ensure the community’s early education, school system, postsecondary pathways and workforce development are coordinated and effective, according to a press release.
She will also oversee the organization’s participation in a youth development initiative from the Wallace Foundation, which Chattanooga 2.0 was selected for in the fall. The nonprofit expects to receive $6 million to $10 million to strengthen career awareness and exploration opportunities outside of the classroom.
Previously, Stewart served as the community superintendent for the school system’s MidTown Learning Community. Before moving to Hamilton County, Stewart worked as a high school principal, administrator and math teacher in Nashville.
She holds a bachelor’s in mathematics from Biola University in La Mirada, California; a master’s in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville; and a doctorate in educational leadership from Vanderbilt University, according to a press release.
Chattanooga 2.0 falls under the Chattanooga Chamber Foundation, so the nonprofit’s assets and charitable disbursements are not listed in tax filings. In 2023, Randolph earned $161,803 as Chattanooga 2.0’s executive director, according to tax filings. Stewart earns $190,099 annually as deputy superintendent.
— Compiled by Shannon Coan
