Dr. Sharon L. Contreras is the CEO of The Innovation Project in North Carolina, a collaborative of forward-thinking education leaders who are unleashing student potential and shaping the future of learning.

Growing up in Uniondale, NY with nine brothers and sisters, she learned early to advocate for her right to an excellent education. At the age of 10, Contreras successfully pleaded her case to gain a seat in her school district’s accelerated gifted program. This changed the trajectory of her life and inspired her to advocate for children. Not even the gradual loss of 90% of her hearing stopped her from breaking through barriers for herself and removing them for her students.

Contreras has held two superintendencies. Her tenure in Guilford County—one of the nation’s largest school districts—has been recognized for driving results, including expanding access to Advanced Placement courses, career technical education, and dual-enrollment programming preparing students and their parents for the workforce. GCS’ high impact tutoring initiative and learning hubs started during the pandemic are considered a national model. In 2022, the GCS graduation rate reached a high of 91.8%.

Contreras was named Superintendent of the Year by the North Carolina PTA (2019), a North Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year (2020), was among Triad Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs in 2020 and named to the Business North Carolina Power List 2022. In 2022, she was recognized as the national AASA Women in School Leadership Award recipient. She holds multiple degrees, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Sharon L. Contreras' legacy is one of courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to children and families. Her relentless pursuit of educational justice and equity continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of educators and students.