Scott Benson
Strategy & Operations at Cambiar Education
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Overview
Work Experience
Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives & Global Higher Education
2025 - Current
My role involves providing both strategic and operational support on a range of initiatives within the Provost's office. This includes Duke's global education programs and initiatives, including the Global Alliance for Innovation and Access in Higher Education (GAIA) and Duke Kunshan University (DKU), as well as the Provost's initiative on Free Inquiry, Pluralism, and Belonging and Teaching Excellence and Innovation.
Adjunct Instructor
2021
I designed and teach a graduate course titled "The Business of Education." In addition, I support and mentor graduate students enrolled in the UNC School of Education's MEITE program
Lead, Strategy
2024 - 2025
I lead a portfolio of nonprofit and for-profit education ventures at Cambiar Education, a venture design studio with a mission "to spark positive change by scaling bold ideas that massively accelerate student success for ALL."
Cambiar Education is a nonprofit venture design studio focused on student success and equity.
Founder
2022 - 2024
I founded Trail B to support visionary leaders with bold ambitions to increase their impact. Over 2+ years, I supported 15 clients with a wide range of strategic and operational needs. I worked closely with the leadership teams and boards of these organizations to assess their current contexts, clarify their visions, develop sound strategies, and plan for implementation.
Strategic Advisor
2021 - 2021
Managed special projects / strategy / research for a national non-profit philanthropy that supports innovative educators in PreK-12 education, with a special focus on children in underserved communities
Managing Partner
2015 - 2021
Designed and led two grant portfolios - Innovative Public Schools and and Model Providers - that supported innovative educators with bold ideas to reimagine PreK-12 education
Senior Program Officer, Next Generation Learning
2013 - 2015
Developed and managed a diverse portfolio of investments in K-12 education focused on personalized learning.
Program Officer, Next Generation Learning
2010 - 2013
Director of Strategic Academic Initiatives (Broad Resident)
2008 - 2010
Responsibilities included performance management, internal communication, and multiple district-wide strategic initiatives for the Office of the Chief Academic Officer. In addition, I was a member of the 6th cohort of the Broad Residency in Urban Education, two-year leadership development program that places participants into full-time managerial positions in school districts and charter management organizations.
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is the local, traditional public school system of Washington, D.C. in the United States.
MBA Intern, Digital Marketing and Strategy
2007 - 2007
is a nonprofit whose mission is to engage our nation's most promising future leaders to strengthen the movement for educational equity.
Raised $4,235,000.00 from Appalachian Regional Commission, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and U.S. Department of Education.
Marketing Manager Intern, Xbox Games
2007 - 2007
Microsoft Advertising provides digital advertising solutions.
Operations Business Analyst
2004 - 2006
National manager for the $20M window covering product category for a subsidiary B2B business (that later became HD Supply). Responsible for all facets of this business, including operations, marketing, and strategy.
Business Leadership Program
2002 - 2004
Rotational leadership program. Six-month rotations included positions in Corporate Strategy, Merchandising, Human Resources, and Store Management.
The Home Depot is a retailer of hardware, consumer goods, and DIY supplies both online and offline while providing home delivery services.