Nicole Jain
Education Policy Advocate, USC Policy Doctorate Student (DPPD), Mental Health Children’s Book Author, Social Impact Board Advisor & Forever Public Servant 🇺🇸
Nicole Jain
Education Policy Advocate, USC Policy Doctorate Student (DPPD), Mental Health Children’s Book Author, Social Impact Board Advisor & Forever Public Servant 🇺🇸
Biography
Nicole Jain has dedicated her career to public service and leadership, with a deep commitment to advancing equity in PK–12 public education policy and management. She holds a BS degree in Public Policy and a BA in Political Science from the University of Southern California and a Master’s in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University.
Driven by the belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, Nicole has led and supported initiatives that span local, national, and international contexts. Early in her career, she worked at the grassroots level to help turn around a government primary school in a rural village in Northern India. She went on to contribute to large-scale public education reform in the U.S., including school turnaround efforts with Chicago Public Schools and the implementation of a district-wide unified enrollment system with Los Angeles Unified School District to help families more easily navigate school choice.
Nicole’s passion for social impact extends beyond education. She currently serves on several boards including The Pad Project, Harmony Through Education, USC RISHI, Lotus Petal and Ootify. She is also a children’s book author, focusing on early mental health education to help reduce stigma and empower children with emotional literacy from a young age. Currently, Nicole leads the Early Care and Education Industry Strategy at Los Angeles County. She is also pursuing her Doctorate of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to equity, community collaboration, and the belief that systems can and must be reimagined to serve EVERY child.
Speaker Videos
Not Just an Anecdotal Experience
Speech Topics
Reimagining Education 2040: Disruption, Leadership, and Community Power
Will classrooms still exist in 2040? This talk challenges audiences to rethink the education system through targeted strategies, adaptive leadership, and deep community partnerships. We explore the rise of micro schools, hybrid models, and community-based education hubs — and how they could redefine the way children learn.
Turning Around Urban School Districts: Strategies That Stick
Transforming under-resourced school systems requires more than bold policy — it demands trust and collaboration. This session focuses on proven turnaround strategies rooted in community buy-in, the role of the central office in shaping policy, and how leaders can create educational agendas that drive equity and excellence.
Building Resilience in Kids: Mental Health Through Storytelling
As a former Chief Strategy Officer at a mental health startup — and a children’s book author — Jain blends professional insights with personal experiences navigating mental health challenges in her family. Using her book Our Mom, Our Superhero as a catalyst, we explore how to normalize mental health conversations and equip children with self-care tools early in life.
Menstrual Equity as an Educational Imperative
Through Jain's work with The Pad Project, she witnessed how period poverty impacts educational access around the world. This talk unpacks the global disparities in reproductive health, examines the stigma surrounding menstruation, and offers creative, culturally responsive solutions to ensure every girl can stay in school.
Rethinking Credentials: From College Degrees to Career Pathways
College remains a critical driver of generational wealth — but it’s no longer the only path. This discussion explores how apprenticeships, skills-based learning, and alternative credentials can disrupt the traditional higher education pipeline while expanding opportunities for economic mobility.
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