Media Resources

Founder's Bio

Dr. Deborah Kenny, CEO & Founder

Deborah Kenny is the founder and Chief Executive of Harlem Village Academies. She was the founding Principal of the flagship Harlem Village Academy, which recently made history as 100% of eighth graders passed the New York State math test, ranking them #1 of all public schools in New York State. This marked the first time ever in the history of Harlem that a public school achieved 100% passing in math; in addition 100% passed science and 96% passed social studies. On the New York City grading system, Harlem Village Academies received a grade of "A" in every category and "A" overall. With a track record of consistent, dramatic student achievement gains, Mayor Bloomberg calls Harlem Village Academies "a model of excellence for public education in our nation." The academies regularly host visitors from around the world.

Previously, Dr. Kenny served as Group President of Sesame Street Publishing, and as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development of Time Warner's Parenting Group, where she developed new product lines for parents and children. She is a former classroom teacher with expertise in youth leadership training and curriculum development.

Dr. Kenny has been featured in national media including Esquire, Business Week, The CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News, FOX News, and NPR. She was honored as "Educator of the Year" presented by New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, and received the national "Educators who Perform" award at the Center for Education Reform gala in Washington, DC. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Columbia University in comparative international education, and a B.A. Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania.