Dr. Rydell Harrison is a forward-thinking keynote speaker, performer, consultant and executive leadership coach who partners with school and district leaders to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and improve outcomes for all students.
A career educator and equity advocate, Rydell is the founder of Harrison Solutions, LLC where he works to provide human-centered professional learning experiences that inspire transformational, equitable and sustainable changes in individuals, organizations and communities. Drawing from his experience as an activist, music teacher, principal and superintendent in Connecticut, North Carolina, New York City and New Jersey, Rydell sheds light on practical ways your organization can operationalize your equity-focused mission and social justice goals.
As a Program Coordinator with Partners for Educational Leadership, Rydell works closely with leaders on high quality instruction, equity and continuous improvement. He also serves as the Family Equity Liaison for Guilford public schools, where he advocates for families who feel they have been treated unfairly due to an identity or affiliation to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexuality or religion.
Rydell holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Rutgers University and a Master of Divinity from Duke University. He also holds a Master of School Administration, Specialist in Education and Doctor of Education in School Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Rydell served on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) and was a Trustee for Westport Country Playhouse. He is currently on the Board of the CT Data Collective. Rydell is the co-author of
Equitable School Improvement: The Critical Need for the Human Side of Change (Teachers College Press, 2024).
