Director of Education 
Colleen Russell-Rawlins

Colleen Russell-Rawlins is an accomplished educator with a career that spans three decades and includes senior leadership positions with the Peel and Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Canada’s largest school boards. During her tenure at the TDSB as an educator and leader, equity was the foundation for improving student confidence, engagement, and achievement. As the Associate Director at the Toronto District School Board, she led the team responsible for the TDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Action Plan which included improving early literacy, family engagement, childcare, and professional learning in equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression.

Prior to returning to the TDSB as the Director of Education, Colleen served as the Interim Director of Education for the Peel District School Board where she led the implementation of the Directives from The Ministry of Education’s Review of the Board focused on eliminating anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism and ensuring effective governance, leadership, and human resource practices.

Colleen holds a Master of Education as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from York University.

In 2020, Colleen was recognized as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Women in Canada.

Colleen is also a proud graduate of the TDSB’s Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute.